Effectiveness of Biofeedback Therapy compare to Acupuncture for treatment of myofascial pain syndrome in neck and upper back area: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Myofascial pain syndrome is called chronic musculoskeletal pain that has many causes and affects many adults. This syndrome can cause pain and decrease range of motion due to contraction in the fascia and trigger points in the muscles involved. So far, little research has been done on biofeedback therapy and especially its comparison with acupuncture in the treatment of this syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of these two complementary therapies, ie biofeedback and acupuncture, in the treatment of chronic neck and back pain and to compare them.

Methods: In this single-center study, 50 patients, aged 25-55 years, referred to Imam Reza hospital, Physical Medicine Clinic, in Tabriz with a diagnosis of myofascial neck syndrome and upper back in one-year period from March 1396 to March 1397, and were randomly assigned into two groups of 25 each. Then the first group was treated with acupuncture 2 times a week for 6 weeks in 6 sessions and for the second group, biofeedback therapy was performed twice a week for 6 weeks in 6 sessions. Evaluation was done in three stages before treatment, immediately after treatment (3 weeks after beginning of treatment) and 12 weeks after beginning of treatment.

Results: All parameters, except for PPT of lower trapezius and paravertebrals were improved significantly in both groups, while controlling for baseline values. The clinical benefits of the acupuncture over biofeedback was observed in term of NDI, VAS, extension and left lateral bending ROM, and PPT on left upper TraPs values after the last session of intervention until 3 months (P < 0.05). Achieving the primary outcome (20% reduction in neck pain intensity) was significantly more in the acupuncture compared to biofeedback group: 23 (92.0%) versus 17 (68.0%); RR = 2.9 with CI = 0.8 to 10.2; NNT = 2 with CI = 1.5 to 2.7 (P = 0.034).