Aliaa Elabd
Lecturer
Efficacy of Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Versus Postisometric Relaxation Technique on Rhomboid Latent Myofascial Trigger Points: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics • 2025
Publication Information
Authors
Aliaa M. Elabd, Omar M. Elabd, Waleed T. Mansour,
Radwa F. Hammam,
Keywords
Back Muscles; Manual Therapies; Myofascial Pain Syndromes; Rhomboid Major; Trigger Point
Journal
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Publisher
Not Available
Volume
Not Available
Issue
Not Available
Pages
Not Available
publication.type
International
Paper Link
Not Available
Supplementary Materials
Not Available
Abstract
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.
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.