The prevalence of latent myofascial trigger points and diagnostic criteria of the triceps surae and upper trapezius: a cross sectional study

Aim:To investigate the prevalence of otolaryngological symptoms with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) in TMD patients. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, the sample consisted of 172 TMD patients, both males and females of 18-59 years. Diagnosis of TMD was based on Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC-TMD) Axis 1. The prevalence of otolaryngological symptoms was determined using questionnaire. Results: Of the 172 TMD patients evaluated, 81 patients were having Muscular disorder alone or combined with Intracapsular disorder. Out of the 81 patients having muscular disorder, 74 had ear symptoms (91.4%). Conclusion: A high prevalence (91.4%) of Otolaryngological symptoms with TMD was found in the present study. Ruling out causes of ear symptoms other than TMD by an ENT specialist is essential before proceeding with the treatment of these category of patients for a better prognosis.

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Temperature Increases in the Human Achilles Tendon During Ultrasound Treatments With Commercial Ultrasound Gel and Full-Thickness and Half-Thickness Gel Pads

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-45.4.333 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 45 (4) ◽

pp. 333-337 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

David O. Draper ◽

Clinton G. Edvalson ◽

Kenneth L. Knight ◽

Dennis Eggett ◽

Joseph Shurtz

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Outcome Measure ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Triceps Surae ◽

Therapeutic Modality ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Main Outcome Measure ◽

Internal Structures ◽

Half Thickness

Abstract Context: Although originally manufactured for use in diagnostic imaging of internal structures, 2-cm-thick gel pads are also used as conducting media for therapeutic ultrasound over areas with bony prominences. Research on the ability of these pads to conduct enough energy to adequately heat tissues has provided mixed results. However, this research has mainly been performed on the triceps surae muscle, an area over which gel pads are not typically used. We wondered how much heating might be produced if a thinner pad was used over a tendon. Objective: To compare temperature rises in the human Achilles tendon during ultrasound treatments using ultrasound gel, a 2-cm-thick pad, and a 1-cm-thick pad. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University therapeutic modality laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Forty-eight healthy volunteers (24 women, 24 men). Intervention(s): We inserted a rigid thermocouple 1 cm deep into the Achilles tendon. Ultrasound was delivered at the following settings: 3 MHz, continuous, 1 W/cm2, 10 minutes. Main Outcome Measure(s): Temperature was recorded every 30 seconds for 10 minutes. Results: Temperature increased the most in the ultrasound gel group (increase = 13.3°C, peak = 42°C). The 1-cm-thick pad resulted in higher tendon temperature (increase = 9.3°C, peak = 37.8°C) than the 2-cm-thick pad (increase = 6.5°C, peak = 4.8°C). The 1-cm pad produced approximately 30% more heating than the 2-cm pad (SE = 0.72, P < .03). Conclusions: The thinner pad transmitted ultrasound more efficiently than the thicker pad. Thus, a gel pad of less than 1-cm thickness might be useful for superficial areas, such as the hands and ankles.

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Comparing the Diagnostic Criteria of Metabolic Syndrome in Schoolchildren: Cross-sectional Study

International Archives of Medicine ◽

10.3823/2494 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

Author(s):

Ingred Pereira Cirino ◽

Leylla Lays Alves e Silva ◽

Karollayny De Macêdo Oliveira ◽

Eugênio Barbosa de Melo Júnior ◽

Edina Araújo Rodrigues Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Diagnostic Criteria ◽

Private School ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Kappa Index ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Metabolic Syndrome

Title: Comparing the diagnostic criteria of metabolic syndrome in schoolchildren: a cross-sectional study. Introduction: The Metabolic Syndrome has been highlighted by being the result of the meeting of several cardiovascular risk factors. However, there is still no consensus for the determination of MS in children and adolescents, since the diagnostic criteria and its cut-off points considered at risk are not established and, depending on the criteria used, the prevalence of MS found in the literature may vary. Objective: To compare the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome in adolescents in the private school system. Method: This is a cross-sectional study of 325 adolescents from private schools in the urban area of a city in northeastern Brazil. The analysis was performed through the descriptive statistics, and the verification of the agreement between the results was given by the calculation of the Kappa index. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee (opinion 352.372). Results: In only 7 adolescents, the diagnosis was like the three definitions of metabolic syndrome. Regarding the number of components of metabolic syndrome, a large percentage of adolescents presented 02 or more altered parameters. Regarding the comparison of the diagnostic criteria, the criteria established by De Ferranti presented a higher positive proportion for the syndrome. Conclusion: There were differences between the proportions obtained through the three diagnostic criteria, which may impair the diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome in adolescents.

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Trigger points are associated with widespread pressure pain sensitivity in people with tension-type headache

Cephalalgia ◽

10.1177/0333102416679965 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 237-245 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

María Palacios-Ceña ◽

Kelun Wang ◽

Matteo Castaldo ◽

Amparo Guillem-Mesado ◽

Carlos Ordás-Bandera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pain Sensitivity ◽

Tibialis Anterior Muscle ◽

Trigger Points ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Tension Type Headache ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Pressure Pain ◽

Upper Trapezius ◽

Pressure Pain Thresholds ◽

Type Headache

Objective To investigate the association between trigger points (TrPs) and widespread pressure pain sensitivity in people with tension-type headache (TTH) and to determine if this association is different between frequent episodic (FETTH) or chronic (CTTH) headache. Design A cross-sectional study. Methods One hundred and fifty-seven individuals (29% male) with TTH participated. Clinical features of headache, i.e., intensity, duration, and frequency, were recorded in a headache diary. Active and latent TrPs were bilaterally explored in the temporalis, masseter, suboccipital, upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, and splenius capitis muscles. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were assessed over the trigeminal area (i.e., temporalis muscle), extra-trigeminal (i.e., C5/C6 zygapophyseal joint), and two distant pain-free points (i.e., second metacarpal and tibialis anterior muscle). Results Eighty (51%) patients were classified as FETTH, whereas 77 (49%) were classified as CTTH. No differences in the number of either active or latent TrPs (all p > 0.171) or widespread pressure pain sensitivity (all p > 0.351) were observed between FETTH and CTTH groups. The number of active and latent TrPs was significantly and negatively associated with PPTs: The higher the number of active or latent TrPs, the lower the widespread PPT, and the more generalized sensitization. This association was stronger within the FETTH group than the CTTH group. Conclusions This study found that the number of TrPs in head and neck/shoulder muscles was associated with widespread pressure hypersensitivity independently of the frequency of headache.

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