Effectiveness of Myofascial Trigger Point Release Combined with Progressive Muscle Relaxation on Pain and Stress in Individuals with Tension-Type Headache

Abstract

Background: Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most prevalent primary headache disorder and is commonly associated with pericranial muscle tenderness, myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), and psychological stress. The interaction between musculoskeletal dysfunction and psychological stress may contribute to the persistence and severity of headache symptoms. Physiotherapy interventions addressing both components may therefore provide beneficial clinical outcomes. [1–4] Objective: To evaluate the effect of myofascial trigger point (MTrP) release combined with progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) on pain and stress in individuals with TTH. Methods: A pre-experimental one-group pre-test–post-test study was conducted among 30 participants with TTH. Participants received MTrP release and PMR twice weekly for six weeks. Pain and stress were assessed before and after intervention using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and stress subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), respectively. Data were analysed using a paired t-test, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Mean VAS score decreased from 7.70 ± 0.88 to 2.20 ± 0.76, showing a reduction in pain intensity (t (29) = 34.98, p < 0.001). Mean DASS-21 stress score decreased from 29.66 ± 6.28 to 17.00 ± 3.35 (t(29) = 14.27, p < 0.001), indicating reduced stress. Conclusion: The combination of MTrP release and PMR was associated with significant reductions in pain intensity and stress scores in individuals with TTH.