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Effect of Manual Pressure Release and Scapular Stabilization Exercises on Myofascial Pain Syndrome Following Neck Dissection Surgery

Background: Neck dissection (ND) is a popular technique to treat malignant growths in the head and neck caused by carcinoma of squamous cells. Spinal accessory nerve damage related to the type of neck dissection surgery (NDS) results in scapular dyskinesia, trapezius atrophy, shoulder dysfunction, and chronic neck pain. Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is identified in 13% of individuals with neck and head cancer. Objective: The aim of the study is to explore the impact of MPR and SSE at MPS following ND surgery in reducing pain and improving cervical ROM. Patients and methods: A total of 40 patients with cervical MPS post NDS were enrolled, and divided into 2 equal groups in a random manner. The intervention group (Group A) applied manual pressure release (MPR) for 20 minutes and scapular stabilization exercises (SSE) for approximately 30 minutes, in addition to traditional therapy (ROM exercises, strengthening exercises, and stretching exercises) for about 15 minutes. The control group (Group B) received only traditional therapy. The trial lasted 8 weeks and involved 3sessions per week. Results: Comparing between the intervention group and the control group after treatment showed that the intervention group had a significantly lower VAS (p=0.001) and a significantly higher pressure pain threshold (p=0.002). Moreover, side bending and rotation ROM of the neck for both sides were significantly improved within the intervention group compared to the control group (p=0.001). Conclusion Better results were observed within neck pain and ROM in the patients who received MPR and SSE.