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

Abstract

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