Predictors of Treatment Expectations in Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Determining the Predictors of Treatment Expectations in Individuals With Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

This cross-sectional study aims to determine the predictors of treatment expectations in individuals with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). MPS is one of the most common causes of musculoskeletal pain and is associated with reduced quality of life. Patients' pre-treatment expectations are known to influence clinical outcomes, yet the factors that predict these expectations have not been established. Adults diagnosed with MPS who are scheduled to receive physiotherapy complete measures of treatment expectations, pain intensity and duration, health-related quality of life, and fatigue. Multiple regression analysis is used to examine the extent to which pain intensity, pain duration, quality of life, and fatigue predict treatment expectations.

Design and setting: Cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted at a private physiotherapy clinic in Konya, Turkiye, between April and August 2026.

Participants: Adults (18 years and older) with a diagnosis of MPS, a pain intensity of at least 3 on a visual analog scale, and scheduled to receive at least two weeks of physiotherapy. Individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis, a chronic systemic disease, or any barrier preventing communication are excluded.

Sample size: Based on an a priori power analysis (G*Power; effect size 0.15, power 0.80, alpha 0.05), a minimum of 85 participants is required.

Measures: A personal information form; the Treatment Expectation Questionnaire (TEX-Q), Turkish version, as the dependent variable; pain intensity and duration via a visual analog scale; health-related quality of life via the Short Form-36 (SF-36); and fatigue via the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI).

Analysis: Descriptive statistics, the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality, and multiple linear regression models (with 95% confidence intervals) to examine the associations between treatment expectations and pain intensity, pain duration, quality of life, and fatigue. Statistical significance is set at p<0.05.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 years and older
• Diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome
• Pain intensity of at least 3 on the Visual Analog Scale
• Scheduled to receive at least two weeks of physiotherapy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed psychiatric disorder
• Chronic systemic disease
• Any barrier preventing communication