Acupuncture Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Six Months Follow-Up

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain. It has been suggested that some acupoints have a specific effect on heel pain. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and specificity of acupuncture treatment for plantar fasciitis. Subjects were randomly assigned to the treatment group (n= 28) or control group (n= 25). The treatment group received needling at the acupoint PC 7, which is purported to have a specific effect for heel pain. The control group received needling at the acupoint Hegu (LI 4), which has analgesic properties. Treatment was administered five times a week for 2 weeks, with an identical method of manual needling applied to the two acupoints. The primary outcome measure was morning pain on a 100-point visual analog scale (VAS) at one month post-treatment. Secondary outcome measures included a VAS for activity pain, overall pain rating as well as pressure pain threshold using algometry. Significant differences in reduction in pain scores, favoring the treatment group, were seen at one month for morning pain (22.6 ± 4.0 versus 12.0 ± 3.0, mean ± SEM), overall pain (20.3 ± 3.7 versus 9.5 ± 3.6) and pressure pain threshold (145.5 ± 32.9 versus −15.5 ± 39.4). No serious adverse event was observed in either group. The results indicate that acupuncture can provide pain relief to patient with plantar fasciitis, and that PC 7 is a relatively specific acupoint for heel pain.

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Effects of upper cervical translatoric mobilization on headache, quality of life, cervical mobility and pressure pain threshold in patients with cervicogenic headache: A randomized controlled trial.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-21657/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Miguel Malo-Urriés ◽

José Miguel Tricás-Moreno ◽

Elena Estébanez-de-Miguel ◽

Elena Bueno-Gracia ◽

Pablo Fanlo-Mazas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Pain Threshold ◽

Pressure Pain Threshold ◽

Cervicogenic Headache ◽

Control Group ◽

Pressure Pain ◽

Upper Cervical ◽

Related Quality

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of upper cervical translatoric spinal mobilization (UC-TSM) on headache, quality of life, cervical mobility and pressure pain threshold in subjects with cervicogenic headache (CEH). Methods Eighty-two volunteers (41.5 ± 15.3 years; 20 males and 62 females) with CEH participated in the study and were randomly assigned to control or treatment group. The treatment group received 3 sessions of UC-TSM and the control group remained the same sessions, in the same position and time but received no treatment. Primary outcomes were Headache Impact Test for headache-related quality of life and flexion-rotation test for upper cervical mobility. Secondary outcomes included intensity, frequency and duration of headache, general cervical mobility and pressure pain thresholds over cervical spine. They were measured at baseline, at the end of the treatment and one month after the intervention. Results UC-TSM group increased significantly headache-related quality of life (p < .001; d = .857). Headache intensity, frequency and duration improved in UC-TSM group (p = .000-.013), in contrast to control group which did not obtain significant changes (p = .234-.965). UC-TSM group presented significant increases in upper cervical mobility (p < .001). Between-group effect sizes were considered large at T1 (d = 0.90–1.21) and moderate to large at T2 (d = 0.78–1.17). Conclusions Three sessions of UC-TSM increased headache-related quality of life and upper cervical mobility in subjects with CEH. Intensity, duration and frequency of headache, cervical mobility and PPT also improved. Further research considering the limitations of the present clinical trial is required to confirm this tendency.

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Greater Postural Sway and Tremor during Balance Tasks in Patients with Plantar Fasciitis Compared to Age-Matched Controls

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare8030219 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 219

Author(s):

Jerrold Petrofsky ◽

Robert Donatelli ◽

Michael Laymon ◽

Haneul Lee

Keyword(s):

Plantar Fasciitis ◽

Pain Threshold ◽

Postural Sway ◽

Pressure Pain Threshold ◽

Plantar Fascia ◽

Control Group ◽

Frequency Range ◽

Analog Scale ◽

Subjective Pain ◽

Mechanical Movement

Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a common condition found in men and women and can reoccur throughout life. PF is commonly diagnosed by prolonged foot pain lasting more than 3 months and a plantar fascia over 0.4 mm thick, as measured using ultrasound imaging. This study examined the ability to balance and the occurrence of muscle tremor during different balance tasks in patients with PF compared to their control counterparts. Fifty subjects (25 patients with PF and 25 control subjects) participated in this study. Subjective pain (measured with a visual analog scale (VAS)), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and postural sway and tremor during eight different balance tasks were measured. Postural sway was measured by a balance platform, while tremor was measured as the mechanical movement of the platform in the 8 Hz frequency range. Thickness of plantar fascia, subjective pain, and PPT were significantly greater in the PF group compared to the controls (p < 0.001). Postural sway and 8 Hz tremor were significantly greater in the PF group compared to the control group for all eight balance tasks (p < 0.01). These results indicate that the lack of plantar fascia elasticity is probably the cause of the reduced balance and increased muscle tremor.

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Genicular artery embolization as a novel treatment for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis: protocol design of a randomized sham-controlled clinical trial

Trials ◽

10.1186/s13063-021-05942-x ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

Author(s):

T. A. van Zadelhoff ◽

A. Moelker ◽

S. M. A. Bierma-Zeinstra ◽

P. K. Bos ◽

G. P. Krestin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mr Imaging ◽

Knee Osteoarthritis ◽

Pain Threshold ◽

Pressure Pain Threshold ◽

Scale Efficiency ◽

Control Group ◽

Artery Embolization ◽

Sham Treatment ◽

Pressure Pain ◽

Genicular Artery

Abstract Introduction Knee osteoarthritis is a common disease with pain as the most prevalent symptom. Previous cohort studies have shown genicular artery embolization to reduce pain symptoms in patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. Patients resistant to conservative therapy but not eligible yet for surgical treatment due to young age or comorbidities may profit from an effective and sustained pain reduction treatment. This study is a randomized sham-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of genicular artery embolization in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods and analysis Fifty-eight patients with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis will be recruited and randomly allocated to the treatment or control group in a 1:1 ratio. Participants in the treatment group will undergo genicular artery embolization. Patients in the control group will undergo sham treatment. Outcome measurements will be assessed at baseline and after 1, 4, 8, and 12 months with questionnaires, pressure pain threshold testing, and MR imaging. The MR imaging protocol is designed to (semi)quantitatively assess osteoarthritis in the knee joint. The primary outcome is the change from baseline of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) pain subscale after 4 months. Secondary outcomes include change in osteoarthritis-related questionnaires, pressure pain threshold, and OA-related MRI features, particularly synovitis and bone marrow lesions. Ethics and dissemination This trial will determine the efficacy of genicular artery embolization compared to a sham treatment. This is of importance to assess before proceeding to larger-scale efficiency studies and, ultimately, implementing this treatment into day to day clinical practice. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03884049. Registered on 21 March 2019

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Effects of Different Neck Manual Lymphatic Drainage Maneuvers on the Nervous, Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Musculoskeletal Systems in Healthy Students

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9124062 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 4062

Author(s):

Ángela Río-González ◽

Ester Cerezo-Téllez ◽

Cristina Gala-Guirao ◽

Laura González-Fernández ◽

Raquel Díaz-Meco Conde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Systolic Blood Pressure ◽

Respiratory Rate ◽

Pain Threshold ◽

Pressure Pain Threshold ◽

Control Group ◽

Pressure Pain ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Healthy Participants

The aim of this study is to describe the short-term effects of manual lymph drainage (MLD) isolated in supraclavicular area in healthy subjects. A 4-week cross-sectional, double-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted. Participants: 24 healthy participants between 18 and 30 years old were recruited from Universidad Europea de Madrid from December 2018 to September 2019. A total of four groups were studied: control, placebo, Vodder, and Godoy. The order of the interventions was randomized. Resting Heart Rate and Oxygen Saturation, blood pressure, pressure pain threshold of trapezius muscle, respiratory rate, range of active cervical movements were measured before and after every intervention. All the participants fulfilled four different interventions with a one-week-wash-out period. No statistically significant differences were found between groups in descriptive data; neither in saturation of oxygen, diastolic blood pressure and cervical range of motion. Significant differences were found in favor of Vodder (p = 0.026) in heart rate diminution and in cardiac-rate-reduction. A significant difference in respiratory rate diminution is found in favor of the Godoy group in comparison with the control group (p = 0.020). A significant difference is found in favor of the Godoy group in systolic blood pressure decrease (p = 0.015) even in pressure pain threshold (p < 0.05). MLD decreases systolic blood pressure in healthy participants. However, it does not produce any changes in other physiologic outcomes maintaining physiologic values, which may suggest the safety of the technique in patients suffering from other pathologies.

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Electromyogram Biofeedback in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Complementary Medicine Research ◽

10.1159/000454692 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 33-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Eva Baumueller ◽

Andreas Winkelmann ◽

Dominik Irnich ◽

Martin Weigl

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Usual Care ◽

Outcome Measures ◽

Pain Threshold ◽

Pressure Pain Threshold ◽

Emg Biofeedback ◽

Additional Patient ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Pressure Pain ◽

Randomized Controlled

Background/Aim: Electromyogram (EMG) biofeedback is used in chronic pain but its effectiveness in patients with fibromyalgia is unclear. The objective of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of EMG biofeedback in patients with fibromyalgia. Methods: Patients were recruited from a waiting list at the fibromyalgia day care clinic at the University Hospital Munich. The study intervention comprised 14 sessions of EMG biofeedback during 8 weeks in addition to the usual care. The control intervention was usual care alone. Assessments were scheduled before intervention (T0), after intervention (T1), and 3 months after the end of intervention (T2). The primary outcome measure was the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Secondary outcome measures included additional patient-oriented measures and the pressure-pain threshold in the trapezius muscles. Effectiveness was analyzed by significance tests and standardized effect sizes (ES). Results: 36 patients completed the study. EMG biofeedback did not improve the health status (FIQ, T1: p = 0.95, ES = 0.02; T2: p = 0.52, ES = 0.26). Among the secondary outcome measures, only the pressure-pain threshold at the trapezius muscles showed an improvement in the intervention group (T1: p = 0.016, ES = 0.84). Conclusion: EMG biofeedback showed no health status improvement in patients with fibromyalgia.

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The Effect of Warm-Up and Cool-Down Exercise on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness in the Quadriceps Muscle: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/v10078-012-0079-4 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 59-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Olav Olsen ◽

Mona Sjøhaug ◽

Mireille Van Beekvelt ◽

Paul Jarle Mork

Keyword(s):

Resistance Exercise ◽

Muscle Soreness ◽

Pain Threshold ◽

Pressure Pain Threshold ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Control Group ◽

Muscle Belly ◽

Pressure Pain ◽

Warm Up ◽

Delayed Onset

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of warm-up and cool-down exercise on delayed onset of muscle soreness at the distal and central parts of rectus femoris following leg resistance exercise. Thirty-six volunteers (21 women, 15 men) were randomly assigned to the warm-up (20 min ergometer cycling prior to the resistance exercise), cool-down (20 min cycling after the resistance exercise), or control group performing resistance exercise only. The resistance exercise consisted of front lunges (10x5 repetitions/sets) with external loading of 40% (women) and 50% (men) of body mass. Primary outcomes were pressure pain threshold along rectus femoris and maximal isometric knee extension force. Data were recorded before the resistance exercise and on the two consecutive days. Pressure pain threshold at the central muscle belly was significantly reduced for the control group on both day 2 and 3 (p≤0.003) but not for the warm-up group (p≥0.21). For the cool-down group, pressure pain threshold at the central muscle belly was significantly reduced on day 2 (p≤0.005) and was also lower compared to the warm-up group (p=0.025). Force was significantly reduced on day 2 and 3 for all groups (p<0.001). This study indicates that aerobic warm-up exercise performed prior to resistance exercise may prevent muscle soreness at the central but not distal muscle regions, but it does not prevent loss of muscle force.

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The Relationship between Fibromyalgia and Pressure Pain Threshold in Patients with Dyspareunia

Pain Research and Management ◽

10.1155/2015/302404 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 137-140 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Hasan Terzi ◽

Rabia Terzi ◽

Ahmet Kale

Keyword(s):

Beck Depression Inventory ◽

Pain Threshold ◽

Pressure Pain Threshold ◽

Control Group ◽

Tender Points ◽

Pain Thresholds ◽

Pressure Pain ◽

Pressure Pain Thresholds ◽

Pressure Algometer ◽

Significant Difference

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the number of tender points, pressure pain threshold and presence of fibromyalgia among women with or without dyspareunia.METHODS: The present cross-sectional study included 40 patients with dyspareunia and 30 healthy controls. The participants were asked if they had engaged in sexual intercourse during the previous four weeks, and dyspareunia was rated from 0 to 3 based on the Marinoff Dyspareunia Scale. A pressure algometer (dolorimeter) was used to measure the pressure pain threshold. Fibromyalgia was diagnosed based on the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria. The depression status of the participants was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory.RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found with regard to age, body mass index, habits (alcohol use and smoking), educational status and occupational status between the two groups. Total myalgic score, total control score and tender point mean pain threshold were significantly lower in the group with dyspareunia. The number of tender points was significantly higher in patients with dyspareunia. The mean Beck Depression Inventory score was 14.7 ±8.4 in the dyspareunia group compared with 11.2 ±7.1 in the control group. Five (12.5%) of the patients with dyspareunia were diagnosed with fibromyalgia, whereas no patients in the control group were diagnosed with fibromyalgia. There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to the presence of fibromyalgia.CONCLUSION: The finding of lower pressure pain thresholds and a higher number of tender points among patients with dyspareunia suggests that these patients may have increased generalized pain thresholds. Additional studies involving a larger number of patients are required to investigate the presence of central mechanisms in the pathogenesis of dyspareunia.

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Comparison of a Vibration Roller and a Nonvibration Roller Intervention on Knee Range of Motion and Pressure Pain Threshold: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.2017-0164 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 39-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Scott W. Cheatham ◽

Kyle R. Stull ◽

Morey J. Kolber

Keyword(s):

Range Of Motion ◽

Knee Flexion ◽

Pain Threshold ◽

Pressure Pain Threshold ◽

Control Group ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Pressure Pain ◽

Starting Point ◽

Significant Difference ◽

And Control

Background: Roller massage (RM) has become a common intervention among health and fitness professionals. Recently, manufacturers have merged the science of vibration therapy and RM with the development of vibration rollers. Of interest, is the therapeutic effects of such RM devices. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a vibration roller and nonvibration roller intervention on prone knee-flexion passive range of motion (ROM) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the quadriceps musculature. Methods: Forty-five recreationally active adults were randomly allocated to one of 3 groups: vibration roller, nonvibration roller, and control. Each roller intervention lasted a total of 2 minutes. The control group did not roll. Dependent variables included prone knee-flexion ROM and PPT measures. Statistical analysis included parametric and nonparametric tests to measure changes among groups. Results: The vibration roller demonstrated the greatest increase in PPT (180 kPa, P < .001), followed by the nonvibration roller (112 kPa, P < .001) and control (61 kPa, P < .001). For knee flexion ROM, the vibration roller demonstrated the greatest increase in ROM (7°, P < .001), followed by the nonvibration roller (5°, P < .001) and control (2°, P < .001). Between groups, there was a significant difference in PPT between the vibration and nonvibration roller (P = .03) and vibration roller and control (P < .001). There was also a significant difference between the nonvibration roller and control (P < .001). For knee ROM, there was no significant difference between the vibration and nonvibration roller (P = .31). A significant difference was found between the vibration roller and control group (P < .001) and nonvibration roller and control group (P < .001). Conclusion: The results suggest that a vibration roller may increase an individual’s tolerance to pain greater than a nonvibration roller. This investigation should be considered a starting point for future research on this technology.

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MUSCULAR PRESSURE PAIN THRESHOLD AND INFLUENCE OF CRANIOCERVICAL POSTURE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH EPISODIC TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE

Coluna/Columna ◽

10.1590/s1808-185120171602162637 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 137-140 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ana Elisa Zuliani Stroppa-Marques ◽

João Simão de Melo-Neto ◽

Sâmela Parente do Valle ◽

Cristiane Rodrigues Pedroni

Keyword(s):

Pain Threshold ◽

Randomized Study ◽

Pressure Pain Threshold ◽

Tension Type Headache ◽

Control Group ◽

Lower Sensitivity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Pressure Pain ◽

Upper Trapezius ◽

Type Headache

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), suboccipital (SO) and upper trapezius (UT) muscles and the craniocervical posture in individuals with episodic tension-type headache (ETTH). Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, non-randomized study with 60 young adults (77% female) comprising both sexes and an age range of 18-27 years. Individuals were distributed into a control group (G1) and individuals with ETTH (G2). The frequency of headaches per month was recorded. A pressure dynamometer was used to evaluate the PPT. Photogrammetry was used to evaluate the cervical lordosis (CL) and cephalic protrusion (CP). The data were statistically analyzed. Results: There were differences in the PPT, where the UT, SO and SCM muscles presented lower sensitivity to pain, respectively. The SCM muscle presented a lower PPT in G2. The CL and CP angles were significantly lower in G2. Conclusion: Individuals with ETTH exhibited a significantly lower PPT in the SCM and SO muscles than in the UT muscle. Nevertheless, individuals with ETTH presented with the SCM muscle being more sensitive to pain as well as higher CL and CP than individuals without symptomatology.

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Effectiveness of 2 Osteopathic Treatment Approaches on Pain, Pressure-Pain Threshold, and Disease Severity in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Complementary Medicine Research ◽

10.1159/000464343 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 122-128 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jessica Albers ◽

Anne Jäkel ◽

Kai Wellmann ◽

Ulrike von Hehn ◽

Tobias Schmidt

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Disease Severity ◽

Pain Threshold ◽

Primary Outcome ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Pressure Pain Threshold ◽

Control Group ◽

Pressure Pain ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Osteopathic Treatment

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of osteopathic intervention (OI) and general osteopathic treatment (GOT) in individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Methods: The trial was designed as a randomized controlled trial with 2 osteopathic interventions and 1 untreated control group. The patients in the two osteopathic groups received 10 osteopathic treatments (OI or GOT) within a time period of 12 weeks. The control group did not receive any osteopathic treatment. The primary outcome was the average pain intensity (API) assessed by visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes were the pressure-pain threshold rated by means of a tender point score, and disease severity, assessed by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Results: 50 patients were randomized. The primary outcome parameter API decreased from 7.2 to 4.7 in the OI group, from 6.3 to 4.3 in the GOT group, and increased slightly in the control group from 6.2 to 6.6. There were significant differences for the change in API between the OI group and the control group (VAS: 2.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12-4.52), and between the GOT group and the control group (VAS: 2.4, 95% CI = 0.65-4.11), but no significant differences between the OI group and the GOT group. There were no significant differences for the secondary outcome parameters between the groups. Conclusion: A series of osteopathic treatments might be beneficial for patients suffering from FMS.

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