scholarly journals Evaluation of the Immediate Effect of Auricular Acupuncture on Pain and Electromyographic Activity of the Upper Trapezius Muscle in Patients with Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized, Single-Blinded, Sham-Controlled, Crossover Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andréia Cristina de Oliveira Silva ◽  
Daniela Aparecida Biasotto-Gonzalez ◽  
Douglas Meira dos Santos ◽  
Nivea Cristina De Melo ◽  
Cid André Fidelis de Paula Gomes ◽  
...  

Background. The aim of the present study was to assess the immediate effects of auricular acupuncture (AA) on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the upper trapezius muscle and pain in nonspecific neck pain (NS-NP) patients. Twelve patients with NS-NP (NS-NP group) and 12 healthy subjects (HS Group) were enrolled in a randomized, single-blinded, crossover study. Each subject received a single session of AA and sham AA (SAA). Surface EMG activity was measured in the upper trapezius muscle at different “step contractions” of isometric shoulder elevation (15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% MVC). The outcome measure in patients with NS-NP was based on the numerical pain rating scale (NRS). AA treatment led to a significant decrease in EMG activity in both groups (NS-NP group:p= 0.0001; HS group:p< 0.0001—ANOVA test). This was not the case for the SAA treatment (NS-NP group:p= 0.71; HS group:p< 0.54). Significant decreases (p< 0.001) in the NRS were found for both treatments (AA and SAA). This study demonstrated the immediate effect of auricular acupuncture on the electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius muscle but the effect of this intervention on pain symptoms in patients with nonspecific neck pain was inconclusive.

Author(s):  
Andréia C. O. Silva, PT, MSc ◽  
Claudia S. Oliveira, PT, PhD ◽  
Daniela A. Biasotto-Gonzalez, PT, PhD ◽  
Marco A. Fumagalli, Eng, PhD ◽  
Fabiano Politti, PT, PhD

Background and Purpose: The lack of clear knowledge about the etiology of nonspecific neck pain (NS-NP) strengthens the need for other mech-anisms, still poorly described in the literature, to be investigated. Therefore, a quantitative analysis of two cases of NS-NP in subjects with functiona dyspepsia was conducted in order to verify the immediate and seven-day postintervention effects of visceral manipulation (VM) to the stomach and liver on neck pain, cervical range of motion (ROM), and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the upper trapezius muscle. Case Description: Case A was an 18-year-old female with a complaint of nonspecific neck pain for one year, with reported pain on waking, momentary intermittent pain, and occasional symptoms of paresthesia in the upper limbs. Case B was a 25-year-old female with a complaint of cervical pain for one year, accompanied by pain in the unilateral temporomandibular joint, and medial thoracic region. Both cases presented functional dyspepsia.Outcomes: The results demonstrated (sub-jects A and B, respectively) a general increase in cervical ROM (range: 12.5% to 44.44%) and amplitude of the EMG signal (immediately postintervention: 57.62 and 20.78; post seven days: 53.54% and 18.83%), and an increase in muscle fiber conduction velocity immediately postintervention (4.44% and 7.44%) and a de-crease seven days postintervention (25.25% and 21.18%). For pain, a decrease was observed immediately postintervention (23.07% and 76.92%) and seven days postintervention (100% for both subjects). Discussion: A single VM provided important clinical improvement in neck pain, cervical spine range of motion, and EMG activity of the upper trapezius muscle, immediately and seven days postintervention in two NS-NP subjects with func-tional dyspepsia.


2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Aparecida Penimpedo Calamita ◽  
Daniela Aparecida Biasotto-Gonzalez ◽  
Nívea Cristina De Melo ◽  
Marco Antônio Fumagalli ◽  
César Ferreira Amorim ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 188-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyue-nam Park ◽  
Oh-yun Kwon ◽  
Sung-min Ha ◽  
Su-jung Kim ◽  
Hyun-jung Choi ◽  
...  

Neck pain is common in violin students during a musical performance. The purpose of this study was to compare electromyographic (EMG) activity in superficial neck muscles with neck motion when playing the violin as well as neck range of motion (ROM) at rest, between violin students with and without neck pain. Nine violin students with neck pain and nine age- and gender-matched subjects without neck pain were recruited. Muscle activity of the bilateral upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, and superficial cervical extensor muscles was measured using surface EMG. Kinematic data on neck motion while playing and active neck ROM were also measured using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Independent t-tests were used to compare EMG activity with kinematic data between groups. These analyses revealed that while playing, both the angle of left lateral bending and leftward rotation of the cervical spine were significantly greater in the neck pain group than among those without neck pain. Similarly, EMG activity of the left upper trapezius, both cervical extensors, and both sternocleidomastoid muscles were significantly greater in the neck pain group. The active ROM of left axial rotation was significantly lower in the neck pain group. These results suggest that an asymmetric playing posture and the associated increased muscle activity as well as decreased neck axial rotation may contribute to neck pain in violin students.


2012 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 413-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Almir Vieira Dibai Filho ◽  
Amanda Carine Packer ◽  
Ana Cláudia de Souza Costa ◽  
Kelly Cristina dos Santos Berni-Schwarzenbeck ◽  
Delaine Rodrigues-Bigaton

2008 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amedeo Troiano ◽  
Francesco Naddeo ◽  
Erik Sosso ◽  
Gianfranco Camarota ◽  
Roberto Merletti ◽  
...  

1999 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Whalen ◽  
Steven P. Konstant ◽  
Teddy W. Worrell ◽  
Sam Kegerreis

The purpose of this study was to determine whether differences exist in EMG activity between involved and uninvolved upper trapezius muscles in participants with unilateral neck pain. Thirteen volunteers, seen by a physical therapist, gave informed consent. Surface EMG electrodes were placed on involved and uninvolved upper trapezius muscles. Root mean squared EMG activity was measured. Visual analog scales (VASs) for pain were used for each side. Reliability data indicated high ICC (2,1) but also large SEMs and CVs. EMG activity increased from resting to shrugging to abducting positions. Participants perceived greater pain on the involved side than the uninvolved side. EMG readings for individuals were consistent, however, between participants. EMG had high variability. Although participants' VAS scores were consistent with their reports of unilateral neck pain, surface EMG readings did not support the existence of increased muscle activity on the involved side.


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