Background: Myofascial pain syndrome is a complex pain disorder affecting many people.
Purpose: To compare the effects of muscle energy technique (MET) with instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) in terms of pain intensity level, pain pressure threshold (PPT), cervical range of motion (CROM), and neck functional disability level in patients with upper trapezius myofascial trigger points (MTrPs).
Methodology: The study included forty-five participants from both genders, with age ranged from 18-25 years. They had bilateral upper trapezius MTrPs. They were randomly allocated into three equal groups. Group (A) received conventional physical therapy (PT) program, while Group (B) received MET combined with conventional PT program, and Group (C) received IASTM combined with conventional PT program. Treatment was given three times a week for four weeks. Pain intensity level, PPT, CROM of all movements, and neck functional disability level were measured using the visual analogue scale, the Algometer, the CROM device, and the Arabic version of neck disability index respectively.
Results: There were no significant differences in post-treatment between groups comparison in all variables except for neck functional disability level which was improved in Group (B) and Group (C) as compared to Group (A).
Conclusion: Muscle energy technique and IASTM can reduce pain intensity level, increase PPT, and CROM in patients with upper trapezius MTrPs. Furthermore, MET and IASTM can improve neck functional disability level more than the conventional PT without significant difference between them.
Key words: Trigger points, upper trapezius, muscle energy technique, instrument-assisted myofascial release, M2T blade.