Comparative Effectiveness of Ultrasound and Static Stretching versus Myofascial Release on Pain Intensity in Cervical Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Abstract

Neck pain is one of the most common complaints found among the Indonesian population, particularly among workers with static neck postures. The frequent use of computers or mobile phones among office workers often leads to various health problems, one of which is Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS). MPS is a clinical condition categorized as a chronic musculoskeletal disorder, characterized by muscle pain originating from trigger points within muscle tissue or fascia. Interventions that can be administered include Ultrasound and Static Stretching combined with Myofascial Release. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of Ultrasound and Static Stretching compared to Myofascial Release on pain intensity in cervical Myofascial Pain Syndrome. This quantitative study employed a quasi-experimental design using a two-group pre-test and post-test approach. A total of 32 respondents were recruited and divided into two groups, with 16 participants in each group. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS, including the Shapiro–Wilk test, Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test, and Mann–Whitney U Test for between-group differences. The results showed a significant difference in pain intensity between the Ultrasound and Static Stretching group and the Myofascial Release group. After treatment, the mean pain score in Group I was 39.98 ± 7.70, while in Group II it was 52.34 ± 7.86, with a p-value of 0.002 (p < 0.05). The study concludes that the combination of Ultrasound and Static Stretching is more effective than Myofascial Release in reducing pain intensity. It is recommended that respondents maintain proper typing posture and adopt ergonomic neck positioning. Future studies are encouraged to increase the sample size and include additional variables.