Myofascial Trigger Points of the Levator Scapulae Muscle

NCT05776199 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 03/23
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 80
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Chronic neck pain (CNP) is considered one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders worldwide and myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder in the majority of the population. However, normal tissue contractility changes and the different types of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) measured by tensiomography have not yet been studied. For this reason, the aim of our study is to determine the differences in pressure pain threshold (PPT), tensiomyography and sonoelastography between the palpation zone of control points with respect to active and latent MTrPs in the levator scapulae muscles of subjects with CNP. A single-blind descriptive cross-sectional study is conducted with a convenience sample of 60 points (20 active, 20 latent and 20 control points) on both sides of the subject in the levator scapulae muscles of individuals diagnosed with CNP. The order of outcome measurements for each point was PPT, manual tension index sonoelastography and tensiomyography separated by 15 minutes. Objective contractile parameters were: contraction time (Tc), mean relaxation time (Tr), maximum radial displacement (Dm), holding time (Ts) and delay time (Td).

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Keywords

physiotherapies techniques; sonoelastography;; muscle tension; neck pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• manual tension index sonoelastography

  Measurement of manual ultrasound transducer tension on the trigger point of the levator scapulae

  1 week

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• tensiomyography

  1 week

• minimum intensity of a stimulus that elicits the sensation of pain (pressure pain threshold).

  1 week

Study Arms (2)

Ischemic Compression group

EXPERIMENTAL

IC group with conservative technique in trigger points in levator scapulae muscle

Diagnostic Test: Sonoelastography, tensiomyography and mechanosensitivity

Dry needling group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Dry needling group with invasive technique in trigger points in levator scapulae muscle

Diagnostic Test: Sonoelastography, tensiomyography and mechanosensitivity

Interventions

Sonoelastography, tensiomyography and mechanosensitivity DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

To observe the differences between the different trigger points of the levator scapulae muscle by means of different diagnostic options.

Dry needling group; Ischemic Compression group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Bilateral presence of at least one active trigger point.
• One control point and one latent trigger point in the levator scapulae muscles.
• Subjects aged between 18 and 65 years.
• Subjects diagnosed with chronic neck pain for more than 6 weeks.
• Signed informed consent to be able to participate in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Previous treatment for chronic neck pain (within one year) or medical history with a diagnosis of neuropathy.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Myopathy.
• Cognitive impairment or mental disability.
• Skin disorders.
• Pregnancy.
• Activity level of a high-level athlete.
• Medical conditions (fractures, structural deformities and neoplasms).
• Surgical interventions in the cervical-dorsal region or upper extremities.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Católica de Ávila: lead

Study Sites (1)

Universidad Católica de Ávila

Ávila, 05005, Spain

Location

Related Publications (7)

• Myburgh C, Lauridsen HH, Larsen AH, Hartvigsen J. Standardized manual palpation of myofascial trigger points in relation to neck/shoulder pain; the influence of clinical experience on inter-examiner reproducibility. Man Ther. 2011 Apr;16(2):136-40. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2010.08.002. Epub 2010 Sep 1.

  PMID: 20813576 BACKGROUND

• Tous-Fajardo J, Moras G, Rodriguez-Jimenez S, Usach R, Doutres DM, Maffiuletti NA. Inter-rater reliability of muscle contractile property measurements using non-invasive tensiomyography. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2010 Aug;20(4):761-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2010.02.008. Epub 2010 Mar 16.

  PMID: 20236839 RESULT

• Sigrist RMS, Liau J, Kaffas AE, Chammas MC, Willmann JK. Ultrasound Elastography: Review of Techniques and Clinical Applications. Theranostics. 2017 Mar 7;7(5):1303-1329. doi: 10.7150/thno.18650. eCollection 2017.

  PMID: 28435467 RESULT

• Thomas K, Shankar H. Targeting myofascial taut bands by ultrasound. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2013 Jul;17(7):349. doi: 10.1007/s11916-013-0349-4.

  PMID: 23793988 RESULT

• Park G, Kim CW, Park SB, Kim MJ, Jang SH. Reliability and usefulness of the pressure pain threshold measurement in patients with myofascial pain. Ann Rehabil Med. 2011 Jun;35(3):412-7. doi: 10.5535/arm.2011.35.3.412. Epub 2011 Jun 30.

  PMID: 22506152 RESULT

• Turo D, Otto P, Shah JP, Heimur J, Gebreab T, Zaazhoa M, Armstrong K, Gerber LH, Sikdar S. Ultrasonic characterization of the upper trapezius muscle in patients with chronic neck pain. Ultrason Imaging. 2013 Apr;35(2):173-87. doi: 10.1177/0161734612472408.

  PMID: 23493615 RESULT

• Koo TK, Guo JY, Brown CM. Test-retest reliability, repeatability, and sensitivity of an automated deformation-controlled indentation on pressure pain threshold measurement. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2013 Feb;36(2):84-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2013.01.001.

  PMID: 23499143 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndromes; Neck Pain

Interventions

Elasticity Imaging Techniques

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Ultrasonography; Diagnostic Imaging; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 6, 2023
• First Posted: March 20, 2023
• Study Start: September 1, 2022
• Primary Completion: September 21, 2022
• Study Completion: December 28, 2022
• Last Updated: May 6, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-05

Locations

ES (1)