Effects of a Single Myofascial Induction Session on Neural Mechanosensitivity in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Secondary Analysis of a Crossover Study

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of myofascial induction on mechanosensitivity of upper limb nerves. Methods In this secondary analysis of a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study, 21 breast cancer survivors with stage I-IIIA cancer were randomly allocated to an experimental group (30 minutes of myofascial induction session) or placebo control group (unplugged pulsed 30 minutes of shortwave therapy), with a 4-week washout period between sessions that occurred in a physical therapy laboratory in the Health Science Faculty (University of Granada, Spain). Range of motion (universal goniometry), structural differentiation, symptoms (yes/no), and pressure pain thresholds (electronic algometry) were assessed during neurodynamic tests and attitude toward massage scale as covariate. Results An analysis of covariance revealed significant time × group interactions for range of motion in affected upper limb nerves (median, P .05). An analysis of covariance revealed no significant interactions on pressure pain thresholds over the nerves for affected (all P > .05) and nonaffected (all P > .05) upper limb nerves. Conclusion A single myofascial induction session may partially improve mechanosensitivity of median, radial, and ulnar nerves and yield positive effects on symptom mechanosensitivity, especially regarding the ulnar nerve in breast cancer survivors.