Background: Background: Axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) produces structural changes that cause alterations in body functions. One tissue that seems to have a predictive role in the etiology and progression of the disease is fascia. However, little is known about the use of myofascial induction in people with AxSpA, and clinical evidence from physiotherapy regarding potential strategies is limited.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of myofascial induction compared with its simulation on joint amplitude in people with AxSpA The secondary objective will be to describe changes in the quality of life and functionality of people with AxSpA between the groups analyzed.

Methods: 72 participants diagnosed with AxSpA. Participants were randomly assigned to either the Myofascial Induction Therapy (MIT) group or the simulated MIT (SMIT) group. Both groups underwent an initial examination and six intervention sessions, twice a week for three weeks. Measurements were taken immediately after the intervention, and a follow-up assessment was conducted four weeks later. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), Functional Index (BASFI), Disease Activity Score (BASDAI), and Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (AsQoL) were assessed. The intervention group received myofascial induction therapy in multiple areas (cervical, lumbar, thoracolumbar fascia, sacral), with each session lasting 45 minutes. A force of 5 kilograms was applied during the Crossed Hands Technique in the thoracolumbar region. The SMIT group received the same technique, but with a 1-kilogram force. The values used for the application of pressure were determined in a previous study conducted by the research team, which examined the variables related to the technique and found that 5 kilograms is the necessary amount of pressure to induce tissue changes. Both groups were treated by a physiotherapist trained in MIT, with force control ensured using a stretcher equipped with load cells.

Results: The average age of the participants was 50 ± 12, 50% of the participants were women, 80% had radiographic spondyloarthritis, and 20% had non-radiographic spondyloarthritis. Additionally, 76% of the participants had comorbidities. The MIT group showed a statistically significant difference in the BASDAI (pre: 5.8, post: 3.5, follow-up: 3.8, p = 0.015) and BASMI (pre: 4.2, post: 3.3, follow-up: 2.1, p = 0.027), while no statistically significant changes were found in the BASFI between groups. Improvements in quality of life were observed for both groups, with no significant differences between them (MIT pre: 6.5, post: 5.3, follow-up: 6, p = 0.044; SMIT pre: 9.8, post: 5.8, follow-up).

Conclusion: Myofascial induction has proven effective in managing disease activity, joint mobility, and quality of life in patients with AxSpA. The results indicate that this technique not only enhances disease activity and spinal mobility immediately following the intervention but also maintains these improvements during follow-up. Nevertheless, further research is essential to explore soft tissue management in this patient population.

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Acknowledgements: Thanks to the Universidad de La Sabana for the support during this project.

Disclosure of Interests: None declared.

© The Authors 2025. This abstract is an open access article published in Annals of Rheumatic Diseases under the CC BY-NC-ND license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ ). Neither EULAR nor the publisher make any representation as to the accuracy of the content. The authors are solely responsible for the content in their abstract including accuracy of the facts, statements, results, conclusion, citing resources etc.