Amna Bashir  ( University Institute of Physical Therapy. )
Fareeha Amjad  ( Physiotherapy Department of Riphah International University, Lahore. )
Ashfaq Ahmad  ( University Institute of Physical Therapy )
Ayesha Arooj  ( University Institute of Physical Therapy. )
Syed Amir Gilani  ( Department of Radiology, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan. )

Congenital muscular torticollis is a problem that arises at birth or immediately after birth in which the sternocleidomastoid muscle is shortened on the afflicted side, leading to an ipsilateral rotated of the head and a contralateral rotation of the face and jaw. To determine the effectiveness of physical therapy treatment in infants treated for congenital muscular torticollis, relevant articles published between 2011 and 2020 were located using electronic databases. A total of 9 studies out of 24 potentially relevant articles were reviewed. All studies were randomised controlled trials with 6-8 score on the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale (Pedro scale) which showed high quality of methodology. The studies typically found significant statistical effects in the management of congenital muscular torticollis. Additionally, most of the studies reported increased adherence to exercise as another essential advantage. Conservative physical therapy management showed positive outcomes, and early physiotherapy referral showed significant reduction in treatment duration.

 

Keywords: Conservative management, Congenital muscular torticollis, Infants, Paediatric physiotherapy, Physical therapy.

 

DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.3852

 

Submission completion date: 18-05-2021

 

Acceptance date: 26-02-2022

 

Introduction

 

Torticollis, which means "wry neck" in Latin, was first described by Tubby in 1912 as "an abnormality, either acquired or congenital, described by a lateral bending of a head to the shoulder, with a bending of the neck and a deformation of the face."1,2 Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) describes a problem that arises at birth or immediately post-birth in which the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) is shortened on the afflicted side, leading to an ipsilateral rotated of the head and a contralateral rotated  face and jaw.3

Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) and its prevalence is 85% in the general population.4 CMT is an idiopathic condition that causes SCM shortening, resulting in a rotation and flexion abnormalities of the neck in infants.5 It is an abnormality that causes a deviation of the infant's head to one side, as well as a limitation in the body's range of motion (ROM).6 The incident rate of CMT is 0.3-1.9% and it is reported as the 3rd most prevalent congenital MSD in neonates and babies.7,8 CMT has also been correlated with a malfunction in the upper cervical spine and is often related to as a structural imbalance due to suboccipital tightness.9

CMT has been categorised into three groups: palpable sternomastoid tumour, SCM tightness of Muscular Torticollis group, and postural torticollis with all clinical characteristics of torticollis without the SCM muscle stiffness or tumour.10

CMT can result from shortening or extreme tightening of SCM with a restricted ROM.11,12 The SCM muscle plays an important part in the movement of the neck and lateral flexion in the same way as the flexion of the neck. Tension at the impaired side bends the head towards the unimpeded side and inclines the head laterally, resulting in an asymmetrical position.13 Treatment requires observation, orthotics, an intensive home treatment plan, mild stretching, intense manual myotomy, and a variety of surgical techniques.14

It is preferable to treat CMT as early as possible with stretching and strengthening exercises. Contracted sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius muscles are more likely to respond to stretching in children, preventing surgical correction. This early rehabilitation is suggested to be performed by parents under the instruction of a physical therapist. Physical therapy (PT) effectively treats 54-70% cases of moderate CMT at 1 year of age. However, up to 36% patients have more rigid deformities that continue following six months of PT and up to a year of age. Surgical correction has usually been the technique of choice in these situations. In more resistant CMT, persistent PT alone, even though done cautiously, may lead to damage to the patient.15

Manual stretching is stated to be the most effective treatment for CMT, with just 10% seeking surgery.16 Previous researchers have identified that stretching exercises in combination with ultrasound and microcurrent treatment is more beneficial in CMT children than stretching exercises with ultrasound only, increasing the neck ROM, and promoting therapeutic adherence.17

Soft tissue mobilisation (STM) is a procedure commonly used in clinical practice for the treatment of stiff muscles, known as muscle mobilisation or fascial mobilisation.18,19

The aim of CMT therapy is to inhibit skull and facial asymmetry, increase the mobility of the neck and to improve long-term posture.  Therapy requires assessment, active positioning, stretching and strength exercises, and severe cases may require surgery.20 At present there are many different PT techniques for CMT treatment, but there are no specific recommendations on which intervention is beneficial for CMT management. The current narrative review was planned to gather all possible information about PT treatment for CMT, and to evaluate which treatment is more effective in CMT infants.

 

Materials and Methods

 

The narrative review comprised relevant articles published between 2011 and 2020, using search strategy developed for different databases, including the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), PubMed and MEDLINE. Search strategy was designed for each database by combining the key terms and Boolean operators i.e., AND, OR and NOT. Full text articles were retrieved for eligibility, and in case conflict existed over an article, the researchers took the final decision about its inclusion or otherwise. Indexing terms, synonyms and population, intervention, control and outcomes (PICO) format21 terms were used and filters were applied, like Full Text, Clinical Trials, randomised controlled trials (RCTs), Humans and English. Study eligibility were based on PICO format. Relevant information from the included studies was extracted and reviewed. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)22 guidelines were followed. Studies included were RCTs or controlled clinical trials having human CMT infants exposed to PT treatment and published in English-language professional and scientific journals. Studies excluded were those with participants diagnosed with some other pathological conditions, studies using PT treatment with surgical intervention, studies with any other design, studies that did not have full text available, and studies published in language other than English.

Search records were saved in EndNote X7 software. Duplicate records were removed, followed by screening conducted on the basis of abstracts and full texts. The shortlisted studies were reviewed and variables, like methodology, sample size, demographic data, were noted. The differences were compared to generate quality scores using the PEDro scale23 having 11 closed-ended questions, with total score ranging 0-11 and higher score indicating better quality. Risk of biasness for the studies was assessed using the Cochrane tool.24 Selection bias was assessed by allocation concealment and random sequence generation, while detection bias was assessed by blinding of outcome assessment and marked as unclear (?), low risk (+) and high risk (-) for each study.

The main outcomes were head positioning and ROM, and cervical ROM. Clinical analysis measured improvements in head deflection angle and active passive cervical ROM before and after therapy. The secondary outcome was the functional status of the subjects.

 

Results

 

Of the 2078 studies initially found through the databases, 68(3.27%) were shortlisted, and, of them, 9(13.23%) were reviewed and analysed in detail (Figure).

 

Data, like age, dropout rate, country, year, sample size, related to each of the selected study was noted and compared (Table-1). Like methodological characteristics of the studies, like method, study design, etc., were compared (Table-2). Pedro scale for all the studies ranged 6-8, showing high quality.

 

 

Risk of biasness in all the studies were recorded (Table-3).

 

 

Discussion

 

The current narrative review was done to assess the effect of PT treatment on CMT infants. Although it is difficult to find controlled study evidence in this particular area, the current analysis was excellent in verifying the commonly accepted view that the tightness of SCM, which may have been the common

and most probable cause, involves intrauterine malposition and birth trauma of the baby, which plays an important role. Also, the studies analysed in the current review provided positive evidence that CMT can lead to facial asymmetry and tilting of the head. All the 9 studies used different treatment with different strategies. It is rather important for the generalisation of the findings of the current review.

PT is effective in the treatment of CMT and accelerates recovery. In medical practice, physiotherapists use manual therapy to mobilise the tight muscles. All the studies in the review indicated that the use of STM increased ROM, helped reduce tightness, encouraged myofascial development, and decreased pain. However, the efficacy of soft tissue therapies or other manual therapeutic approaches for babies has not been proven because there are not sufficiently controlled randomized trials relevant to this procedure. Recent studies have found that conservative therapeutic approaches, including passive stretching, constructive activity away from tightness, management techniques and parent education for home services, are effective in treating CMT.25 According to previous studies, a home regimen consisting of positioning the neck and head, handling techniques, strengthening and stretching exercises, optimising neurodevelopmental exercises, and environmental adaptations are beneficial in CMT management.26

A study using CMT clinical practice guideline (CPG) suggested similar management for non-operative CMT treatment.27

A study was conducted in 2005 to help relieve the patient's cervical musculature on the affected side after finding symptoms of weakness on the uninvolved SCM.28 When compared to a research in 2018, the outcomes of the study showed that physiotherapeutic intervention through STM is beneficial in CMT management and speeds up recovery.29

A 2010 study comprised CMT infants who achieved adequate ROM and symmetrical head posture earlier when treated by a qualified PT professional instead of parents.30 When compared to a 2017 study, stretching therapy at two dosages was beneficial for the cervical passive ROM and head tilt, for both lateral flexion and rotation of the spine, as well as bilateral SCM development in CMT infants.31

A 2012 study observed an immediate impact from kinesiological taping (KT) application in CMT children.32 When compared to a 2015 study, KT can play a significant role in the treatment of CMT infants.33

A 2014 study found that incorporating microcurrent therapy to a clinical regimen that involved therapeutic activity and ultrasound greatly shortened the length of treatment in CMT children.34 When compared to a 2009 research, microcurrent therapy in CMT children tends to be more successful in improving tilting angle and rotation range of motion of neck and demonstrates greater clinical adherence than conventional therapy.35

The basic aim of the physiotherapist as well as the patient is the same, which is to return to the pain-free active state. The vital role of PT professional is to correctly identify and manage the patient, which often involves the recognition of a tight and weak structure, thereby providing a PT treatment plan, such as stretching exercises, strengthening exercises and STM.

Confidence in evidence-based PT is growing with time. The current used the PEDro scale to assess the methodological quality of the studies reviewed. Overall, there was a high level of evidence for CMT since the review comprised only RCTs and good-quality trials.

Very few studies have been done on CMT in infants. Further studies should be conducted with variation in parameters, and clinical trials should also be conducted to find the effect of PT treatment on the quality of life of CMT infants.

 

Conclusion

 

All the studies reviewed supported PT treatment which showed positive outcome CMT management. Early PT referral significantly reduced the treatment duration. Studies on the natural course and long-term impacts of muscle imbalances must be explored in future studies.

Acknowledgement: We are grateful to Dr Muhammad Waqas Fayyaz PT for assistance in data search.

 

Disclaimer: None.

 

Conflict of Interest: None.

 

Source of Funding: None.

 

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