• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2020

Background: This study examined the effects of myofascial release exercise using an inflatable compression therapy ball on spinal flexibility in adults to present basic data to improve spinal flexibility. Methods: The participants were assigned randomly to two groups: the myofascial release exercise group (MRE, n=60) and the stretching exercise group (SE, n=60). The MRE group performed myofascial release exercise for the erector spine muscles using an inflatable compression therapy ball. The SE group performed stretching exercises of the erector spine muscles. Each exercise was performed in 3 sets of 10 repetition daily for one week. Results: The within-group comparison revealed a statistically significant difference between the pre-intervention and post-intervention measurements in only MRE group (p<.05). On the other hand, the between-group comparison revealed the MRE group to show statistically significant improvement in spinal flexibility (p<.05). In effect size, the MRE group was -1.82 (95% CI= -2.24~-1.39), and the SE group was -.7 (95% CI= -1.15~-.41). Conclusion: Myofascial release exercise for the erector spine muscles using an inflatable compression therapy ball was more effective in improving spinal flexibility than stretching exercises for the erector spinae muscles. However, although myofascial release exercise using inflatable compression therapy ball is more effective than stretching exercise, it is insignificant, and research is also insignificant. It is believed that more diverse studies using props will be needed in the future.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.35-41
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• 2021

Purpose : It is necessary to demonstrate the effect of non-invasive and non-pharmacological interventions such as manual therapy and therapeutic exercise for the management of nonspecific neck pain. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of myofascial release therapy plus therapeutic exercise for disability owing to neck pain and quality of life in individuals with nonspecific neck pain. Methods : Eighteen participants with nonspecific neck pain were randomly allocated to intervention (n=9) and control groups (n=9). The intervention group received a myofascial release therapy for 20 min and performed neck stabilization exercises for 30 min twice a week for 4 weeks. The control group performed neck stabilization exercises for 30 min twice a week for 4 weeks at the same time points as the intervention group. Disability owing to neck pain and quality of life were quantified using the neck disability index (NDI) and the Korean version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), respectively. NDI and WHOQOL-BREF were assessed before and after intervention. Results : The disability owing to neck pain significantly changed between the groups over time (total score of NDI, p=.049). There were significant time and group interactions in pain (pain intensity of NDI, p=.035) and concentration (concentration of NDI, p=.049). Personal care, lifting, reading, headaches, work, driving, sleeping, and recreation did not show significant improvement between the groups over time. Total score, overall quality of life and general health, physical health domain, psychological domain, social relationships domain, and environmental domain quantified by WHOQOL-BREF did not show significant improvements between the groups over time. Conclusion : These results suggest the clinical use of myofascial release therapy in addition to therapeutic exercise for the management of nonspecific neck pain. Further studies are needed to generalize the findings of this study.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.269-278
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects on pain and function of patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy when applying trigger point of infraspinatus and teres minor to myofascial trigger point release (MFR) plus mobility exercise and MFR. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: The total participants were 30patients and were separated to MFR plus mobility exercise group(n=15) and MFR group (n=15) according to the randomized treatment method. The MFR was performed at two infraspinatus tampon points and one teres minor tampon point for twice a week for 4 weeks and the treatment time was 6 minutes 20 seconds in each position. The MFR group also carried out the myofascial trigger point release in the same way as the MFR plus mobility exercise group. Results: The MFR plus mobility exercise group significantly reduced objective and subjective pain (p<0.05). The range of motion of the shoulder joint flexion and external rotation, Quick-Disability of the Arm, shoulder and Hand, and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index were significantly improved in the group to which MFR plus mobility exercise was applied (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results confirmed that MRF plus mobility exercise is more effective in relieving shoulder pain and improving function in rotator cuff tendinopathy.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.769-777
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 8 weeks Self-Myofascial Release exercise on body composition, vascular and metabolic functions in obese female college students. The subjects were 19 obese female college students (n = 9) who were randomly assigned to an exercise group(n=9) and control group(n=9), with an exception of except 1 abandonment. The Self-Myofascial Release exercise group performed exercises twice a week for 8 weeks and for 40 minutes at one time using a foam roller, and the control group maintained normal life pattern for the same period. Body composition was measured by body weight, body fat percentage, vascular function was measured by pulse wave velocity(PWV), augmentation index(AIx), brachial artery vascular flow-mediated dilation(FMD), and metabolic function was measured by fasting glucose and triglyceride levels. The Self-Myofascial Release exercise with foam roller showed no significant effect on body weight and body fat percentage. The Self-Myofascial Release exercise with foam roller showed no significant effect on heart rate, FMD, PWV but, SBP, CSBP and AIx were significant decreased. The Self-Myofascial Release exercise with foam roller showed no significant effect on fasting glucose and triglyceride levels. In conclusion, 8-week Self-Myofascial Release exercise for obese female college students showed no significant effect on body composition and metabolic function, but improved SBP, CSBP and AIx levels significantly. Therefore, Self-Myofascial Release exercise will be an effective way to improve the vascular function of obese female college students.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.1879-1888
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• 2019

Background: The treatment of pain in the iliotibial band friction syndrome has been difficult to determine, according to studies to date. However, recent studies have suggested that flexibility in the subacute stage of pain in the iliotibial band friction syndrome may help reduce pain. Objective: To investigate the immediate effect on pressure pain threshold and flexibility of the tensor fascia latae and iliotibial band by applying static and dynamic myofascial release foam rolling and self-stretching to adults with shortening iliotibial band. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: In this study, 50 subjects who were selected in advance as a randomized controlled trial were randomly allocated using a R Studio program. The included subjects were randomly allocated to three intervention groups. The static self-myofascial release 18 people, dynamic self-myofascial release group 16 people separated the self-stretching group 16 people and conducted a homogeneity check in advance. Before the start of the experiment, after of the experiment, 5 minutes after the end of the experiment, the pressure pain threshold and flexibility change for each part were measured. Results: The results of this study showed that the static self-myofascial release showed a significant difference in the pressure pain threshold in the tensor fascia latae and middle, lower part of the iliotibial band, compared with the other intervention groups (p<.05). In change of flexibility, the static self-myofascial release was significantly different than the other intervention groups (p<.05). Conclusion: The result of this study suggest that static self-myofascial release using foam roller may help to improve the pain and flexibility of the iliotibial band and to apply it as a more discerning intervention.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.53-62
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in kinematic factors according to stretching treatment, myofascial release treatment, and static stretching treatment conditions during squat. Method: Twelve males with resistance training experience participated in this study. Participants performed squats without treatment (Pre-Test), and performed squats after treatment with the myofascial release technique (MRT) and static stretching (SS) on different days (post-test). Squat movements were captured using eight motion capture cameras (sampling rate: 250 Hz), and the peak joint angles of the ankle, knee, hip, and pelvis were calculated for each direction. One-way repeated ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc analyses using SPSS 27 (IBM Corp. Armonk NY, USA) were used to compare the peak joint angle of the lower extremity joints and pelvis among the normal condition (squat without treatment), MRT condition (squat after MRT treatment) and SS condition (squat after static stretching). The statistical significance level was set at .05. Results: It was observed that the maximum ankle joint flexion angle during squats was statistically reduced under conditions of myofascial release and static stretching (p<.05), in comparison to the scenario where no stretching was performed. Furthermore, static stretching was found to enhance the maximum hip flexion angle during squat (p<.05), whereas the myofascial release stretching technique resulted in the minimal posterior pelvic tilt angle (p<.05). Conclusion: Employing myofascial release stretching as a preparatory exercise proved to be more efficacious in maintaining body stability throughout the execution of high-intensity squat movements by effectively managing the posterior tilt of the pelvis, as opposed to foregoing stretching or engaging in static stretching.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.1897-1902
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• 2019

Background: Tension-type headaches, which make up the highest proportion of headaches, are prone to develop into chronic tension-type headaches (CTTH). The characteristic of CTTH in patients is that the active myofascial trigger point (ATrP) which causes pain in the muscles of the back of the head is increased, compared to the normal headache and moves the head position forward. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of myofascial release (MFR) and posture correction in effectively improving neck function and sleep quality in the symptoms of CTTH patients. Design: Observer-blind study Methods: To reduce ATrP, MFR was applied and exercise was also applied to correct posture. The subjects of this study were 48 individuals randomly divided into three groups; The MFR group using the MFR technique; The MFR with exercise group subject to both the MFR technique and forward head position correction exercises (MFREx), and the control group. MFR and MFREx groups were given the relevant interventions twice a week for four consecutive weeks, and went through the number ATrPs, range of motion (ROM) of neck, Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before and after the intervention. A physical therapist, who was fully familiar with the measuring methods of the equipment, was the measurer and not aware of the target's condition was blinded to take measurements only before and after intervention. Results: There was a significant improvement in the ATrP, Neck ROM, NDI and PSQI in the group of patients to whom the MFR technique and MFREx were applied. MFREx was more effective in increasing neck mobility. Conclusions: According to this study, the application of MFR is effective in improving neck movement and sleep quality in chronic tension headache patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The current generation has shortened hamstrings due to a sedentary lifestyle, resulting in reduced flexibility of the hamstring and dysfunction. This study was undertaken to compare effects of three different release exercises on hamstring flexibility, in participants with short hamstrings. METHODS: Totally, 20 subjects having short hamstrings were involved in this study. The inclusion criterion for study participation was active knee extension test (AKET) less than 60°. All participants were subjected to 3 methods: hamstring foam roller release (HFRR), sitting self myofascial release (sitting SMR), and standing self myofascial release (Standing SMR). All participants randomly performed all three methods to avoid bias caused by learning or fatigue. Passive knee extension test (PKET), AKET, finger to floor distance test (FTFT), and pelvic tilting angle test (PTAT) were measured pre- and post-exercises. RESULTS: The PKET, AKET and FTFT were significantly increased after HFRR, sitting SMR, and standing SMR exercise (p < .05). However, PTAT was not significantly increased after the three exercises (p > .05). Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between PKET, AKET, FTFT and PTAT subsequent to HFRR, sitting SMR, and standing SMR (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that HFRR, sitting SMR and standing SMR were immediately effective in improving hamstring flexibility in participants with short hamstrings.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.207-211
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week SMR, stretching, and band program on lower limb alignment (distance between the knees, Q angle) and gait (gait speed, stride length, impulse, and peak pressure) in female in their 20s who have genu varum. Method: The participants, female in their 20s who had genu varum, were randomly divided into the SMR, Stretching, and Band group (SSB, n=9), Stretching and Band group (SB, n=9), and Control Group (CG, n=9). Experimental group A (SSB) performed 3 50-minute sessions of the program per week for 8 weeks while the experimental group B (SB) performed stretching and band correctional exercise in 3 40-minute sessions per week for 8 weeks. The control group had no correctional exercise program. Results: Only the SSB group showed a significant increase in gait velocity and stride length in this study. The SSB and SB group showed a significant decrease of impulse on the forefoot after exercise program suggests that SMR and elastic band exercise had a positive effect on the distribution of foot pressure. Conclusion: We concluded that 8-week genu varum correctional exercise program had beneficial effects on the gait parameters (gait velocity, stride length, impulse, peak pressure) in 20s women with genu varum.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1739-1745
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• 2019

Background: There have been many studies on self-myofascial release (SMR) stretching, but there are few comparative studies on the effects of massages using a release ball, which is a type of the SMR method. Objective: To investigate the immediate effects of release ball massage and self-stretching on proprioceptive sensory, hamstring's temperature, range of motion (ROM) muscle strength,. Design: Crossover study. Methods: Thirty women in 20's at S University in Busan voluntarily participated in the study. Participants were random to release ball group (n=15) or self-stretching group (n=15). Both groups performed 3 sets of exercises, stretching for 30 seconds and resting for 15 seconds in each position. The proprioceptive sensory, temperature of the hamstring muscle, ROM, and strength were measured before exercise, 5 minutes after exercise, and 30 minutes after exercise. Results: Release ball group showed significant differences in muscle length and temperature over time (p<.05). The comparison between two group over time showed significant differences in muscle length, temperature, and muscle strength (p<.05). Conclusions: These results demonstrate that release ball massage and self-stretching are beneficial for improving hamstring's temperature, ROM and muscle strength.