Meta-Analysis the Effectiveness of Isometric Relaxation and Laser Therapy in Reducing Myofascial Pain Syndrome on Musculus Upper Trapezius

Abstract

Background: Myofascial pain syndrome upper trapezius is a condition of neck pain caused by excessive muscle loading and can occur due to continuous activities with poor posture and ergonomics. There are many interventions that can be given to treat this MPS, such as Post isometric relaxation and laser therapy. This study aims to analyze the effect of post-isometric relaxation and laser therapy on pain reduction in cases of upper trapezius myofascial pain syndrome. Subjects and Method: This study is a syste­matic review and meta-analysis conducted with PRISMA flow diagrams. Search articles through journal databases including: PubMed, Science Direct, Google Schoolar and PEDro by selecting articles published in 2010-2020. The keywords used were (“MPS Upper Trapezius” OR “Myo­fascial pain syndrome upper trapezius”) AND (“PIR” OR “Post isometric relaxation”) AND (“Laser” OR “Laser therapy”) AND “rando­mized controlled trial”. The inclusion criteria were full paper articles with Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) research methods, the size of the relationship used was Mean SD, the interventions given were PIR and Laser therapy, the research subjects had an age range of 18-65 years, and had upper Myofascial pain syndrome. trapezius. Eligible articles were analyzed using the Revman 5.3 app. Results: Meta-analysis of 16 articles showed that post isometric relaxation and laser therapy were able to reduce pain in cases of upper trapezius Myofascial pain syndrome. However, statistically insignificant PIR (SMD 0.18; 95% CI= -0.36 to 0.72; p=0.51) and Laser therapy (SMD -0.13; 95% CI= -0.59 to 0.34; p=0.59). Conclusion: Post isometric relaxation and laser therapy have an effect but are not significant in reducing pain in cases of upper trapezius myofascial pain syndrome. Keywords: Post isometric relaxation, Laser therapy, Myofascial pain syndrome upper trapezius, Meta-Analysis Correspondence:  Alifiya Zulfa Indana. Masters Program in Public Health. Universitas Sebelas Maret, Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Surakarta 5712, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia. Email: alifiyasindana0@gmail.com Mobile: 082240463478. Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health (2021), 06(02): 245-255 https://doi.org/10.26911/jepublichealth.2021.06.02.11.