Myofascial Pain and Central Sensitization

The Impact of Nociplastic Pain Features on the Response to Physical Therapy in Patients With Primary Myofascial Pain: A Pilot Study.

This prospective, observational cohort pilot study compared pain phenotyping and functional measures in 30 participants with non-acute neck and/or shoulder girdle pain consistent with primary myofascial pain at 3-months following a physical therapy referral to study the impact of their baseline degree of pain amplification.

Inclusion Criteria:

• English-speaking participants
• Diagnosed by their physician with non-acute (more than two weeks) neck and/or shoulder girdle primary myofascial pain
• Referred to a physical therapy treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

• In an effort to reduce the potential that another medical condition could lead to a secondary myofascial pain response, extensive comorbid exclusion criterion.
• Use of chronic high-dose opioid medication greater than 100 mg oral morphine equivalents per day.
• Individuals receiving or applying for compensation or disability.
• The inability to provide informed consent.
• Severe physical impairment (e.g., blindness, deafness)
• Co-morbid medical condition limiting function (e.g., malignant cancer)
• Reported illicit drug use
• Severe psychiatric condition that would limit judgment.
• Lack of internet access.