Effects of myofascial release on frequency of joint bleedings, joint status, and joint pain in patients with hemophilic elbow arthropathy: A randomized, single-blind clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Chronic joint injury of the elbow joint is common in patients with hemophilia. Myofascial release is used for the management of pain and functionality in patients with chronic restrictions. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of myofascial release in patients with hemophilic elbow arthropathy. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients with hemophilia took part in this randomized controlled trial. They were recruited from 10 hemophilia patient Associations. They were randomly allocated to experimental (n = 35) or control group (n = 34). The intervention consisted of three 50-min sessions of fascial therapy over a 3-week period. The intervention included 11 bilaterally administered maneuvers in both upper limbs (from shoulder girdle to forearm). The study variables were frequency of elbow bleeding (self-report), joint status (Hemophilia Joint Health Score), and joint pain (visual analog scale) at baseline, after the intervention, and at the 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: There were significant changes (P < .001) in the repeated measures factor in the frequency of hemarthrosis (F = 20.64), joint status (F = 31.45), and perceived joint pain (F = 30.08). We found group interaction with the (P < .001) in the frequency of hemarthrosis (F = 21.57), joint status (F = 99.98), and perceived joint pain (F = 44.26). There were changes (P < .01) in the pairwise comparison analysis between the pretreatment assessment and the posttreatment and follow-up assessments. CONCLUSIONS: Myofascial release decreases frequency of elbow bleedings, and improved joint status and perception of elbow pain in patients with hemophilic elbow arthropathy. Myofascial release may be recommended to improve joint status and joint pain in patients with hemophilic elbow arthropathy.