Short-term effects of myofascial release with therapist-mediated transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: an exploratory randomized controlled trial .
Ying Liang, Zhaoxin Huang, Zhu Wei et al.
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In 30 seconds
This assessor-blinded, exploratory randomized controlled trial evaluated short-term myofascial release with therapist-mediated transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (MFR-TENS) in 27 adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Participants received either MFR-TENS for 60 minutes daily over 7 days or 10 minutes daily of disease-awareness education. Immediately after treatment, angle of trunk rotation (ATR) decreased by 4.18° in the MFR-TENS group, while the control group showed no significant change; the between-group difference in mean change was -4.22° (95% CI, -4.767° to -3.667°; P < 0.001). Plantar symmetry outcomes showed no consistent significant changes after correction for multiple comparisons.
Key findings
- ATR decreased by 4.18° with MFR-TENS; the between-group difference in mean change was -4.22° (95% CI, -4.767° to -3.667°; P < 0.001).
- No regional group-by-time interactions for plantar pressure or contact-area symmetry remained significant after Benjamini-Hochberg correction.
- All randomized participants completed the study, and no intervention-related adverse events or serious adverse events were observed.
Why it matters
The trial provides preliminary randomized evidence that a brief MFR-TENS programme may alter a clinical measure of trunk rotation in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. However, the absence of consistent plantar symmetry changes and the immediate, short-term assessment mean the findings do not establish lasting benefit or clinical importance. Larger studies can clarify whether the observed ATR change is durable and meaningful.
What to keep in mind
This was a small, exploratory trial with retrospective registration and assessment only immediately after a 1-week intervention. The authors call for larger, prospectively registered, well-controlled trials with longer follow-up.