Efficacy of Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Versus Postisometric Relaxation Technique on Rhomboid Latent Myofascial Trigger Points: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of the Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique (INIT) and postisometric relaxation (PIR) techniques on rhomboid muscle latent trigger points (LTrPs).

METHODS

Seventy-five patients with rhomboid muscle LTrPs were randomly divided into 3 groups and treated for 4 weeks: group A (control): conventional treatment (infrared radiation, ultrasonic therapy, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation); group B: PIR with conventional treatment; and group C: INIT with conventional treatment. Pre- and post-treatment measurements were taken for shoulder pain and disability, neck pain intensity, neck disability, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) at 3 spots on each side. A 2-way MANOVA was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

Group C experienced significantly lower shoulder pain and disability than A and B and less neck pain intensity than A. Both groups, B and C, had significantly higher PPT for the upper and lower right points than A. PPT for the right middle, upper, and lower left points was higher in Group C than in A or B. Group C had a higher PPT of the middle-left point than A. There were significant changes in all outcomes within all groups (P < .05), except that the control group showed no significant alterations in PPT measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

Both approaches help treat rhomboids and muscle LTrPs when combined with conventional treatment, even though INIT may be more successful than PIR.