Introduction: Bowen therapy is a manual technique for myofascial release. It is characterized by gentle Bowen moves, which are interchanged by longer pauses. These pauses are a signature part of the therapy. They allow the body to integrate stimuli. The effects of Bowen therapy are mainly explained through its influence on the parasympathetic nervous system, mechanoreceptors, fascia, and meridians. Purpose: The aim of this diploma work is to analyze the efficacy of Bowen therapy on pain, mobility, and functional ability by reviewing the literature. Methods: We searched the PubMed database for literature. The main inclusion criteria were: studies published between 2010 and 2024, studies in English, and the use of any variation of Bowen therapy. Results: According to the inclusion criteria, five studies were included in the literature review. Studies have examined the effects of Bowen therapy on one or a combination of the following parameters: pain, mobility, and functional ability. The studies were conducted on healthy participants, participants with myofascial pain syndrome of the cervical and thoracic spine, and participants with various diagnoses characterized by multisite chronic pain. All studies that investigated the impact of Bowen therapy on mobility reported an improvement in mobility. In terms of pain, the findings varied more, but pain relief was generally observed and it often continued after therapy sessions had been completed. Improvements in functional ability were observed in patients with myofascial pain syndrome of the cervical and thoracic spine. Discussion and conclusion: The diversity of assessment tools and outcome measures limits generalization. Nevertheless, published studies suggest that Bowen therapy increases mobility in healthy individuals, and in patients diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome of the cervical and thoracic spine, it also reduces pain and improves functional ability. However, these findings currently can’t be generalized to populations with various diagnoses characterized by multisite chronic pain. There are some inconsistencies in the research on the long-term sustainability of these changes, but the prevailing evidence supports the long-term effectiveness of Bowen therapy. We recommend that future research focus on studying additional pathologies, comparing Bowen therapy with other physiotherapeutic procedures, and investigating whether a standardized or more flexible protocol is more effective. To facilitate the application of findings in clinical practice, it is also recommended that authors define the clinical relevance of the observed changes.
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