ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2010
Discrepancy between prevalence and perceived effectiveness of treatment methods in myofascial pain syndrome: results of a cross-sectional, nationwide survey.
Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2010. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 4 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 69 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Effectiveness of Percutaneous Microelectrolysis in the Decrease of Pain in Myofascial Trigger Points: Evaluation Through Algometry and Visual Analog Scale. Randomized Controlled Trial.
The Effectiveness of Radial Shockwave Therapy on Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Mixed Method Study That Combines a Randomised Control Trial and Semi-Structured Interview.
Comparison of Kinesio Taping, Dry Needling and Lidocain Injection Methods in Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Multimodal Imaging Biomarkers for Investigating Fascia, Muscle and Vasculature in Myofascial Pain
Who cites it
69 citing papers in PubMed, 194 citations in OpenAlex.
- The effectiveness of radial shockwave therapy on myofascial pain syndrome: a two-armed, randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2025Trial
- Instrumented assisted soft tissue mobilizationWorld journal of orthopedics · 2023Trial
- Trial
- Comparison of the effectiveness of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and extracorporeal shock wave therapy in myofascial pain syndrome.Turkish journal of medical sciences · 2023Trial
- Pain intensity and cervical range of motion in women with myofascial pain treated with acupuncture and electroacupuncture: a double-blinded, randomized clinical trial.Brazilian journal of physical therapyTrial
- [Capsaicin topical cream (8%) for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome].Brazilian journal of anesthesiology (Elsevier)Trial
- Appropriate needle insertion depth for trigger point injections of the parascapular region.Turkish journal of physical medicine and rehabilitation · 2026Article
- Pain Unraveled: Kinesio Taping as a Novel Approach to Myofascial Pain Management.Current pain and headache reports · 2026Review
- Brachioradialis muscle pain: a common source of underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed forearm pain.The Korean journal of pain · 2026Review
- Anatomical Investigation of the Gluteus Medius Muscle Innervation and Its Topographical Correspondence With Myofascial Trigger Points.BioMed research international · 2026Article
- Fascia's role in the mind-body continuum: a novel target for integrative treatments in psychiatry.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Review
- Ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma injection improves pain, function and symmetry in lumbar myofascial pain syndrome: A case report.World journal of clinical cases · 2025Article
- Structure-Based Medical Acupuncture: New Perspective on an Ancient Technique.Medical acupuncture · 2025Article
- PDGFR-α Mediated the Neuroinflammation and Autophagy via the JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway Contributing to Depression-Like Behaviors in Myofascial Pain Syndrome Rats.Molecular neurobiology · 2025Article
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome: An Update on Clinical Characteristics, Etiopathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment.Muscle & nerve · 2025Review
- Manipulative Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Network Meta-Analysis Based on Randomized Controlled Trials.Journal of pain research · 2025Review
- Exploring fascia in myofascial pain syndrome: an integrative model of mechanisms.Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- A Prospective Nonrandomized Comparison of Wet Needling Versus Prolotherapy in Myofascial Pain.Cureus · 2024Article
- Ultrasound imaging and guidance in the management of myofascial pain syndrome: a narrative review.Journal of Yeungnam medical science · 2024Article
- Association between smartphone addiction and myofascial trigger points.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2024Article
9 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundMyofascial pain is a common dysfunction with a lifetime prevalence affecting up to 85% of the general population. Current guidelines for the management of myofascial pain are not available. In this study we investigated how physicians on the basis of prescription behaviour evaluate the effectiveness of treatment options in their management of myofascial pain.
methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, nationwide survey with a standardized questionnaire among 332 physicians (79.8% male, 25.6% female, 47.5 +/- 9.6 years) experienced in treating patients with myofascial pain. Recruitment of physicians took place at three German meetings of pain therapists, rheumatologists and orthopaedists, respectively. Physicians estimated the prevalence of myofascial pain amongst patients in their practices, stated what treatments they used routinely and then rated the perceived treatment effectiveness on a six-point scale (with 1 being excellent). Data are expressed as mean +/- standard deviation.
resultsThe estimated overall prevalence of active myofascial trigger points is 46.1 +/- 27.4%. Frequently prescribed treatments are analgesics, mainly metamizol/paracetamol (91.6%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/coxibs (87.0%) or weak opioids (81.8%), and physical therapies, mainly manual therapy (81.1%), TENS (72.9%) or acupuncture (60.2%). Overall effectiveness ratings for analgesics (2.9 +/- 0.7) and physical therapies were moderate (2.5 +/- 0.8). Effectiveness ratings of the various treatment options between specialities were widely variant. 54.3% of all physicians characterized the available treatment options as insufficient.
conclusionsMyofascial pain was estimated a prevalent condition. Despite a variety of commonly prescribed treatments, the moderate effectiveness ratings and the frequent characterizations of the available treatments as insufficient suggest an urgent need for clinical research to establish evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.