Myofascial release versus other soft tissue release techniques along superficial back line structures for improving flexibility in asymptomatic adults: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Our review is aimed to find out the efficacy of Myofascial Release Technique (MFRT) based on the Randomised Controlled Trials, on flexibility when given along superficial back line (SBL) structures and to compare it with other soft tissue release techniques. DATA SOURCES: A systematic literature search on MEDLINE (Pubmed), Google Scholar, Science direct, Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and Clinical Trial Database in English; up to April 2020 was undertaken. STUDY SELECTION: PRISMA (The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols) was used for screening the relevant citations and reviewing the relevant studies. The literature searched total of 6,938 articles, however, only 68 were screened for eligibility. In the further screening, 16 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria for our systematic review. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted into a table containing sample size, mean age of subjects, types of intervention, area to be treated, outcome measures used, and results of the accepted studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: 16 randomized controlled trials and cross-over trials were found to be eligible for our review. Quality assessment of the RCTs was done with the PEDro scoring method. Randomised clinical trials that studied the comparative effect of Myofascial Release (MFRT) technique with different MFRT techniques, control/sham, and other soft tissue release techniques like stretching, were included. Results of this analysis showed little evidence proving the additional effectiveness of MFRT treatment compared to other soft tissue release techniques for improving flexibility so as to consider it as the preferred treatment. Methodological aspects of selected studies for further research are suggested. Study was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42020179118). CONCLUSION: MFRT appears to be a good technique for improving flexibility. However, in comparison with other soft tissue release techniques, this therapy becomes less successful. More research is needed regarding its effectiveness.