Comparison of muscle energy techniques and myofascial release in premenopausal women with fibromyalgia

Background and Purpose Fibromyalgia is characterized by idiopathic long-lasting pain that negatively impacts patients’ quality of life. Although many therapeutic interventions are available; treatment is still challenging due to the condition’s complexity. Therefore, comparative researches are required to decide which treatment is better to produce the best clinical decision for fibromyalgia. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of ‘muscle energy technique and myofascial release’ on fibromyalgia patients. Materials and Methods In this randomized controlled trial, seventy-four women aged 30 to 45, with a body mass index ranging from 25 - 34.9 kg/m², were participated. They were assigned to either the ‘muscle energy technique or myofascial release’ group. Each treatment was conducted over four weeks, with three weekly sessions lasting 25 minutes each. Meanwhile, the ‘myofascial release’ group received treatment for 20 minutes, three times per week for the same duration. Outcome measures included ‘pain levels assessed via a visual analog scale, range of motion evaluated with a universal goniometer, and quality of life determined through the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire’. Results ‘Muscle energy technique and myofascial release’ showed a significant decrease (p