The effect of Rolf Method of Structural Integration therapy on physical and mental characteristics

INTERVENTION: This will be a multicentre interventional study evaluating the effect of Structural Integration (SI) on soft tissue elastic properties, blood perfusion and postural stability parameters in women and men. The patients qualified to participate in the study will be randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups (using Random Allocation Software 2.0): 1. SI‐treated group – 10 sessions of Structural Integration treatment 2. SI‐blinded group – 10 sessions of classic massage instead of SI 3. Control group without therapy The target group of this study will include women and men with musculoskeletal disorders. The research procedure will consist of several stages. First, an interview will be conducted with each participant and basic data (anthropometric measures) and psychological questionnaires will be collected. Then, postural stability, blood perfusion and elastic properties of soft tissue will be measured. Then, each patient will undergo 10 SI session intervention (or not‐ according to their assigned group), one session a week. After 10 SI session, the patients will give another postural stability, blood perfusion and soft tissue elasticity examination. The main outcomes will be to compare the results of postural stability (COP movement track data in mm), blood perfusion (perfusion units, PU), posture (Kineod), and soft tissue elasticity and stiffness (N/mm) before and after ten‐sessions of intervention. All the participants of the project will be informed of the purpose of the study and the procedures to be conducted, and they will express their written consent for participation and processing of their data. SI therapy and data collection will be conduct CONDITION: Myofascial pain, musculoskeletal disorders ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Myofascial pain, musculoskeletal disorders PRIMARY OUTCOME: ; At baseline and 10‐weeks:; 1. Myofascial tissue stiffness and elasticity measured using the MyotonPro device (Myoton AS, Tallinn, Estonia) and IndentoPRO Tissue Compliance Meter; 2. Muscle blood perfusion measured using Laser Speckle Contrast Analysis (LASCA); The following skeletal muscles will be measured in supine position:; Mm. brachio‐radialis (BR): forearm in intermediate position. The measurement point will between the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and the styloid process of the radial bone‐ 5 cm below the lateral epicondylitis, on the previously marked line.; Mm. biceps brachii, caput longum (BB): forearm in supine position. The measurement point will between line connecting the medial epicondyle of the humerus and acromion‐ 7 cm above the medial epicondyle, on a previously determined line.; Mm adductores: The measurement point will between line connecting base of patella and ischial tuberosity‐ 20 cm above the ischial tuberosity.; The following skeletal muscles will be measured in prone position:; Mm. Triceps surae‐ medial head: feet hang freely behind the table. We determine the line connecting the calcaneus with the medial epicondyle of the femoral bone. We measure 10 cm below the epicondyle on the previously designated line; Mm. Erector spinae: 3 cm laterally from the L3 spinous process. forehead based on the dorsal side of the hand; Mm. Trapezius: 3 cm from the Th3 spinous process. Forehead based on the dorsal side of the hand; 3. Balance and gait analysis measured using the Body balance ‐ Accu Gait ‐ Dynamographic platform; 3.1. Measurement of forces (Fx, Fy, Fz) and forces moments (Mx, My, Mz) in statics and dynamics; 3.2. Measurement of the center of pressure on the platform (COP) parameter and all its derivatives; SECONDARY OUTCOME: ; At baseline and 10‐weeks:; 1. General health measured using the General Health Questionnaire‐28 (GHQ‐28); 2. Mood measured using the Mood Adjective Check List – (UMACL); 3. Emotion measured using the Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (INTE); 4. Posture and line curvature measured using Kineod (three‐dimensional analysis); 5. Body image perception measured using the Body Image Questionnaire (BIQO); 6. Locus of control measured using the delta questionnaire; INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Age between 30‐60 years 2. Consent of the patient to participate in the study 3. Permission of the attending therapist 4. The general state of well‐being of the patient on the day of examination assessed by the therapist