Effectiveness of trigger point manual therapy for rotator cuff related shoulder pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To evaluate the effectiveness of trigger point manual therapy (TPMT) in treating rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCRSP). Randomized controlled trials that compared the effects of TPMT with no or other conservative treatments in patients with RCRSP were included. Primary outcomes were shoulder pain intensity and function. Secondary outcomes were pressure pain threshold (PPT) and number of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool, PEDro scale and GRADE approach were employed. Ten studies were included in this systematic review and seven in the meta-analysis. Very low to low quality of evidence showed no statistically significant difference between TPMT and other conservative treatments in rest and activity pain reduction in the short term (3 days to 12 weeks), and the difference in shoulder function was statistically significant in favor of TPMT. Furthermore, TPMT was found to be effective in the improvement of PPT and the inactivation of active MTrPs in the short term. TPMT may be equally effective as other passive treatments for the pain reduction in patients with RCRSP in the short term, and slightly more effective for functional improvement. TPMT seems to be effective to treat the active MTrPs in RCRSP. CRD42023409101 Trigger point manual therapy (TPMT) seems to be effective to treat the active trigger points of rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCRSP) in the short term (3 days to 12 weeks).TPMT may be equally effective as other passive treatments for the pain reduction in patients with RCRSP in the short term (3 days to 12 weeks), and slightly more effective for functional improvement.TPMT may be recommended for use in comprehensive treatment programs which may include active components such as exercise therapy and education for the rehabilitation of RCRSP. Trigger point manual therapy (TPMT) seems to be effective to treat the active trigger points of rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCRSP) in the short term (3 days to 12 weeks). TPMT may be equally effective as other passive treatments for the pain reduction in patients with RCRSP in the short term (3 days to 12 weeks), and slightly more effective for functional improvement. TPMT may be recommended for use in comprehensive treatment programs which may include active components such as exercise therapy and education for the rehabilitation of RCRSP.