scholarly journals Effects of Conventional Physical Therapy with or without Strain Counterstrain in Patients with Trigger Points of Upper Trapezius; a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Author(s):  
Hafiz Muhammad Waseem Javaid ◽  
Ashfaq Ahmad ◽  
Fareeha Ajmad ◽  
Sidrah Liaqat ◽  
Saba Tahir

<p><strong>Background:</strong><strong>  </strong>Non-specific neck pain has potential contributing factors. One of the factors being emphasized in the modern era is the Myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. These could be treated by strain counterstrain method whose effectiveness needs to be evaluated. Hence, the objective of the study was to compare the effects of conventional Physical therapy with or without strain counterstrain in patients with trigger points of upper trapezius muscle.</p><p> <strong>Patients and Methods</strong></p><p>It is randomized controlled clinical trial.</p><p>48 patients with treatment group A (24 patients) and control group B (24 patients).</p><p class="Default">48 patients with treatment group A (24 patients) and control group B (24 patients).</p><p>Patients with non-specific neck pain, having active myofascial trigger points in upper trapezius muscle presented to physical therapy department. Effects of interventions were recorded on neck disability index, visual analogue scale and cervical range of motion goniometer.</p><p><strong>Results</strong> of this study using repeated measure ANOVA demonstrated that within group from day 1 to 7, there was mean reduction of pain by 32.13 (26.99, 37.27) in conventional physical therapy group with Strain counterstrain group (group A) and conventional physical therapy only group (group B) by 12.62 (8.28, 16.96). Less significant improvement was seen within groups for day 1, 4 and 7 in cervical range of motion. There was significant improvement seen in pain, neck disability index and neck range of motions on day 7 between group A and B measured by independent sample t test.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong><strong>  </strong>Conventional physical therapy with strain counterstrain was found effective in reducing pain, functional disability and improving range of motion at cervical region.</p>

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-27
Author(s):  
Mubarra Rao ◽  
Sadia Shafaq

Myofascial trigger point is a hyperirritable nodule present in a palpable taut band of skeletal muscle, often results from muscle injury or repetitive strain that cause pain and tightness. Myofascial trigger points are one of the most common causes of chronic neck pain. This study aims to determine the efficacy of ischemic compression in comparison with myofascial stretching on trigger points of trapezius muscle for reduction of pain and spasm. Randomized Control Trial. The study was conducted in Ziauddin Hospital. 96 participants were enrolled in the study. Participants were divided into two groups equally and randomly, Group (A) an intervention group treated with hot pack, ultrasound therapy and ischemic compression, Group (B) a control group treated with hot pack, ultrasound therapy and myofascial stretching. This regime was followed thrice a week for three weeks. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) changes in the values were found in Group A and Group B for Visual Analog scale and Penn spasm frequency scale post treatment. The results showed that there is significant difference found after both interventions for the treatment of pain and spasm caused by myofascial trigger point. It cannot be said that ischemic compression is more effective than myofascial stretching for the treatment of myofascial trigger points of trapezius muscle.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolanda Noguera-Iturbe ◽  
Javier Martínez-Gramage ◽  
Francisco Javier Montañez-Aguilera ◽  
José Casaña ◽  
Juan Francisco Lisón

Abstract The presence of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) is one of the most common causes of musculoskeletal problems and may lead to limited professional activity. Among the various treatment methods proposed for MTrPs, Kinesio Taping (KT) is a non-invasive, painless, and less time-consuming method with fewer side effects that has become widely used as a therapeutic tool in a variety of prevention and rehabilitation protocols. The aim of the study was to evaluate the immediate and short-term efficacy of the space correction KT technique in patients with latent or active MTrPs in the upper trapezius muscle. Two parallel randomized sham-controlled trials were simultaneously executed: in trial A, ninety-seven participants with latent MTrPs were randomly assigned to either the KT (n = 51) or sham (n = 46) group; in trial B, thirty-seven participants with active MTrPs were assigned to the KT (n = 20) or sham (n = 17) group. The primary outcome was pressure pain threshold (PPT) in the upper trapezius muscle, measured with algometry. Secondary outcomes included the active range of motion (ROM) of the cervical spine (lateral flexion and rotation), measured with a cervical ROM goniometer. In each trial, two-way ANOVA tests were used to compare the study effects on the outcome measures between the groups, with time serving as the intra-group factor (baseline, immediately, and 72 h after the application) and the intervention type (KT and sham) as the between-group factor. At 72 h, participants receiving KT did not show significant differences in PPT (trial A: mean difference −1.8 N; 95% CI: [−8.1, 4.4], trial B: mean difference −1.2 N; 95% CI: [−7.4, 5.1]), cervical lateral flexion (trial A: mean difference 0.2 degrees; 95% CI: [−2.7, 3.1], trial B: mean difference −2.4 degrees; 95% CI: [−8.4, 3.6]), and cervical rotation (trial A: mean difference 3.7 degrees; 95% CI: [−0.1, 7.5], trial B: mean difference 1.4 degrees; 95% CI: [−5.7, 8.4]), compared to the sham groups. Thus, the results of this study do not support the use of the space correction KT technique to treat patients with latent or active myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle.


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