Optimal duration of stretching exercise in patients with chronic myofascial pain syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.
Sameeha S Mansoori, Ibrahim M Moustafa, Amal Ahbouch and 1 others
PMID 33367925WHAT IT FOUND
For chronic neck pain, stretching for 30 seconds reduced pain and improved pressure thresholds.
Stretching for 60 seconds caused similar pain relief but significantly worsened nerve function tests, including slowed conduction time. Thirty seconds appears to be the optimal balance of benefit and safety.
Key findings
01Stretching for 30 and 60 seconds significantly increased pain pressure thresholds and decreased pain intensity compared to 15 seconds or no stretch.
02Stretching for 60 seconds significantly decreased the amplitude of dermatomal somatosensory-evoked potentials at C6, C7, and C8, and increased central conduction time.
03Because 60 seconds of stretching did not offer additional pain benefits over 30 seconds but negatively affected neural function, 30 seconds is suggested as the most effective duration.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study only measured immediate effects and effects at 2 hours post-treatment; it does not show if these neural changes persist or if the pain relief lasts longer. The study focused on a single session of stretching, so it is unclear how these findings apply to a multi-week treatment program. The participants were young (mean age 18-19 years), so results may not generalize to older adults with chronic pain. The study only assessed lower cervical nerve roots (C6-C8); other regions were not examined.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the negative neurophysiological findings in the 60-second group as proof that longer stretching causes permanent nerve damage. These were acute, short-term changes in evoked potentials measured 2 hours after a single session in young adults.