Effects of Pressure Release of Myofascial Trigger Points on Mechanical Neck Pain.
1 other identifier
interventional
104
1 country
1
Brief Summary
The study aims to compare the effectiveness of myofascial trigger point treatment using pressure release versus a control group in patients with mechanical neck pain, randomly assigned. In both groups a protocol of therapeutic exercise and postural correction will be carried out
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable
Started Sep 2023
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
September 14, 2023
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
September 25, 2023
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
September 25, 2023
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
July 31, 2024
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
September 20, 2024
CompletedSeptember 25, 2023
September 1, 2023
10 months
September 14, 2023
September 20, 2023
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (15)
Visual analogue scale. Base
Measure of pain intensity. A mark is placed on a 10-centimetre line with the left end being no pain at all and the right end being the worst pain imaginable.
Baseline. Prior to the first treatment session
Visual analogue scale. Post treatment
Measure of pain intensity. A mark is placed on a 10-centimetre line with the left end being no pain at all and the right end being the worst pain imaginable.
Up to 4 weeks. After the end protocol of four treatment sessions
Visual analogue scale. Follow up
Measure of pain intensity. A mark is placed on a 10-centimetre line with the left end being no pain at all and the right end being the worst pain imaginable.
Follow-up two weeks after the end of the four-session treatment protocol
Pressure pain threshold. Base
Measurement of pain threshold to pressure with Fischer algometer. The algometer is placed perpendicular to the myofascial trigger point previously marked by the therapist. Once in place, the pressure is increased at a rate of 1 kilogram per second (kg per sec) until the patient begins to feel discomfort. At this point, the application is stopped. Three measurements are taken and the average is calculated.
Baseline. Prior to the first treatment session
Pressure pain threshold. Post treatment
Measurement of pain threshold to pressure with Fischer algometer. The algometer is placed perpendicular to the myofascial trigger point previously marked by the therapist. Once in place, the pressure is increased at a rate of 1 kilogram per second (kg per sec) until the patient begins to feel discomfort. At this point, the application is stopped. Three measurements are taken and the average is calculated.
Up to 4 weeks. After the end protocol of four treatment sessions
Pressure pain threshold. Follow up
Measurement of pain threshold to pressure with Fischer algometer. The algometer is placed perpendicular to the myofascial trigger point previously marked by the therapist. Once in place, the pressure is increased at a rate of 1 kilogram per second (kg per sec) until the patient begins to feel discomfort. At this point, the application is stopped. Three measurements are taken and the average is calculated.
Follow-up two weeks after the end of the four-session treatment protocol
Cervical Disability Index. Base
Results on the Northwick Park Cervical Spine Disability Questionnaire, translated and validated in Spanish. The pre-questionnaire consists of 9 questions related to pain intensity, sleep, weight bearing, leisure and social activities, work and driving. Each question has 5 possible answers ranging from 0 to 4, where 0 represents the absence of disability and 4 the maximum degree of disability. Similarly, the subsequent questionnaire consists of 10 questions and the same answers. Taking this into account, the maximum score that can be obtained would be 36 in the pre-questionnaire or 40 in the post-questionnaire (categorised as high disability).
Baseline. Prior to the first treatment session
Cervical Disability Index. Post treatment
Results on the Northwick Park Cervical Spine Disability Questionnaire, translated and validated in Spanish. The pre-questionnaire consists of 9 questions related to pain intensity, sleep, weight bearing, leisure and social activities, work and driving. Each question has 5 possible answers ranging from 0 to 4, where 0 represents the absence of disability and 4 the maximum degree of disability. Similarly, the subsequent questionnaire consists of 10 questions and the same answers. Taking this into account, the maximum score that can be obtained would be 36 in the pre-questionnaire or 40 in the post-questionnaire (categorised as high disability).
Up to 4 weeks. After the end protocol of four treatment sessions
Cervical Disability Index. Follow up
Results on the Northwick Park Cervical Spine Disability Questionnaire, translated and validated in Spanish. The pre-questionnaire consists of 9 questions related to pain intensity, sleep, weight bearing, leisure and social activities, work and driving. Each question has 5 possible answers ranging from 0 to 4, where 0 represents the absence of disability and 4 the maximum degree of disability. Similarly, the subsequent questionnaire consists of 10 questions and the same answers. Taking this into account, the maximum score that can be obtained would be 36 in the pre-questionnaire or 40 in the post-questionnaire (categorised as high disability).
Follow-up two weeks after the end of the four-session treatment protocol
Pain catastrophising scale. Base
It is the set of cognitive and emotional processes consisting of having negative thoughts about the future that predispose to the chronification of pain. Self-administered scale made up of 13 items, each item scored from 0 to 4. The total score range is from 0 to 52, where higher scores indicate a higher level of catastrophism. It is one of the most widely used to assess the pain catastrophising construct.
Baseline. Prior to the first treatment session.
Pain catastrophising scale. Post treatment
It is the set of cognitive and emotional processes consisting of having negative thoughts about the future that predispose to the chronification of pain. Self-administered scale made up of 13 items, each item scored from 0 to 4. The total score range is from 0 to 52, where higher scores indicate a higher level of catastrophism. It is one of the most widely used to assess the pain catastrophising construct.
Up to 4 weeks. After the end protocol of four treatment sessions
Pain catastrophising scale. Follow up
It is the set of cognitive and emotional processes consisting of having negative thoughts about the future that predispose to the chronification of pain. Self-administered scale made up of 13 items, each item scored from 0 to 4. The total score range is from 0 to 52, where higher scores indicate a higher level of catastrophism. It is one of the most widely used to assess the pain catastrophising construct.
Follow-up two weeks after the end of the four-session treatment protocol
Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (ETK-11). Base
Translated into Spanish. It is one of the most frequently used measures to assess pain-related fear of movement in patients with chronic pain. The ETK-11 is an 11-item self-questionnaire in its Spanish version that measures fear of movement and pain. The total score of the ETK-11 is between 11 - 44 points and each item has a likert scale that scores from 1 to 4 (1 = strongly disagree, 4 = strongly agree). Higher scores indicate greater fear of movement and pain. The ETK-11 has two subscales: activity avoidance and harm avoidance.
Baseline. Prior to the first treatment session.
Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (ETK-11). Post treatment
Translated into Spanish. It is one of the most frequently used measures to assess pain-related fear of movement in patients with chronic pain. The ETK-11 is an 11-item self-questionnaire in its Spanish version that measures fear of movement and pain. The total score of the ETK-11 is between 11 - 44 points and each item has a likert scale that scores from 1 to 4 (1 = strongly disagree, 4 = strongly agree). Higher scores indicate greater fear of movement and pain. The ETK-11 has two subscales: activity avoidance and harm avoidance.
Up to 4 weeks. After the end protocol of four treatment sessions
Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (ETK-11). Follow up
Translated into Spanish. It is one of the most frequently used measures to assess pain-related fear of movement in patients with chronic pain. The ETK-11 is an 11-item self-questionnaire in its Spanish version that measures fear of movement and pain. The total score of the ETK-11 is between 11 - 44 points and each item has a likert scale that scores from 1 to 4 (1 = strongly disagree, 4 = strongly agree). Higher scores indicate greater fear of movement and pain. The ETK-11 has two subscales: activity avoidance and harm avoidance.
Follow-up two weeks after the end of the four-session treatment protocol
Secondary Outcomes (12)
Swallow-wall distance. Base
Baseline. Prior to the first treatment session.
Swallow-wall distance. Post treatment
Up to 4 weeks. After the end protocol of four treatment sessions
Swallow-wall distance. Follow up
Follow-up two weeks after the end of the four-session treatment protocol
Cervical flexion-extension. Base
Baseline. Prior to the first treatment session.
Cervical flexion-extension. Post treatment
Up to 4 weeks. After the end protocol of four treatment sessions.
- +7 more secondary outcomes
Study Arms (2)
TREATMENT GROUP
EXPERIMENTALThe Pressure Release Technique will be applied. One session per week will be carried out for four weeks. It will be performed on as many trigger points as we find in each muscle associated with the study, leaving a record of them. Also adding postural hygiene and home exercise guidelines. A progression of exercises involving contraction of the deep neck flexor muscles Subjects will be taught to perform slow and controlled craniocervical flexion. It should be performed a minimum of once daily during the treatment regimen. A follow-up of the patients will be carried out with respect to home therapeutic exercise and postural hygiene guidelines.
CONTROL
ACTIVE COMPARATORPostural hygiene guidelines will be given, as well as home therapeutic exercise (identical to the treatment group). About therapeutic exercise, a progression of exercises involving contraction of the deep neck flexor muscles shall be included in the first session. Subjects will be taught to perform slow and controlled craniocervical flexion. Subjects will then be trained to be able to progressively maintain craniocervical flexion through feedback from an air device (Stabilizer™, Chattanooga Group Inc., Chattanooga, TN) placed behind the neck. This sensor monitors the slight flattening of the cervical curve that occurs with contraction of the craniocervical deep flexor musculature. It should be performed a minimum of once daily during the treatment regimen. To this end, patients will be monitored and their understanding and correct follow-up of the treatment will be assessed in each face-to-face session per week, for four weeks, the same as in experimental group.
Interventions
Patient lying down in the supine position, Therapist do a first and second finger pincer grasp is performed on the myofascial trigger points located on the upper trapezius muscle and sternocleidomastoid muscle, this pressure will be increased as the therapist perceives a reduction in soft tissue resistance under the finger over a period of 90 seconds. Previous studies indicate no difference between 60 and 90 seconds of pressure. It will be performed on as many trigger points as we find in each muscle associated with the study.
Therapeutic exercise and postural hygiene: A progression of exercises with contraction of the deep neck flexor muscles will be included in the first session. Subjects will be taught to perform a slow and controlled craniocervical flexion. Subjects will then be trained to be able to progressively maintain craniocervical flexion through feedback from an air device (Stabilizer™, Chattanooga Group Inc., Chattanooga, TN) placed behind the neck. This sensor monitors the slight flattening of the cervical curve that occurs with contraction of the craniocervical deep flexor musculature. It should be performed at least once a day during the treatment regimen. Also Postural correction exercises carried out regularly throughout the day, especially when seated. Indications are given to avoid pelvic retroversion and maintain a natural lumbar lordosis while performing retraction and adduction of the scapulae and gently lengthening the spine.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Subjects between 18 and 55 years of age in order to avoid degenerative phenomena.
- Have suffered from neck pain at least once in the last month.
- Active or latent myofascial trigger points in the Upper Trapezius and Sternocleidomastoid muscles.
You may not qualify if:
- Patients with recent trauma (last 6 months) to the upper quadrant or spine.
- Patients with pathologies involving malignant neoplasms.
- Surgery on the trunk or upper limb in the last six months.
- Patients undergoing pharmacological or physiotherapy treatment at the time of the test.
- Pregnancy.
- No myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius or sternocleidomastoid muscles.
- Refusal to sign the consent form for the study or not being able to do so.
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
Fisioterapia Los Molinos
Getafe, Madrid, 28906, Spain
Related Publications (26)
Munoz-Munoz S, Munoz-Garcia MT, Alburquerque-Sendin F, Arroyo-Morales M, Fernandez-de-las-Penas C. Myofascial trigger points, pain, disability, and sleep quality in individuals with mechanical neck pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2012 Oct;35(8):608-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2012.09.003.
PMID: 23158466RESULTCerezo-Tellez E, Torres-Lacomba M, Mayoral-Del Moral O, Sanchez-Sanchez B, Dommerholt J, Gutierrez-Ortega C. Prevalence of Myofascial Pain Syndrome in Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study. Pain Med. 2016 Dec;17(12):2369-2377. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnw114. Epub 2016 Jun 20.
PMID: 28025371RESULTChao YW, Lin JJ, Yang JL, Wang WT. Kinesio taping and manual pressure release: Short-term effects in subjects with myofasical trigger point. J Hand Ther. 2016 Jan-Mar;29(1):23-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2015.10.003. Epub 2015 Nov 6.
PMID: 26705672RESULTGrieve R, Barnett S, Coghill N, Cramp F. The prevalence of latent myofascial trigger points and diagnostic criteria of the triceps surae and upper trapezius: a cross sectional study. Physiotherapy. 2013 Dec;99(4):278-84. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2013.04.002. Epub 2013 Jul 2.
PMID: 23830716RESULTOliveira-Campelo NM, de Melo CA, Alburquerque-Sendin F, Machado JP. Short- and medium-term effects of manual therapy on cervical active range of motion and pressure pain sensitivity in latent myofascial pain of the upper trapezius muscle: a randomized controlled trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2013 Jun;36(5):300-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2013.04.008. Epub 2013 Jun 12.
PMID: 23769263RESULTCagnie B, Castelein B, Pollie F, Steelant L, Verhoeyen H, Cools A. Evidence for the Use of Ischemic Compression and Dry Needling in the Management of Trigger Points of the Upper Trapezius in Patients with Neck Pain: A Systematic Review. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2015 Jul;94(7):573-83. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000266.
PMID: 25768071RESULTDe Meulemeester KE, Castelein B, Coppieters I, Barbe T, Cools A, Cagnie B. Comparing Trigger Point Dry Needling and Manual Pressure Technique for the Management of Myofascial Neck/Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2017 Jan;40(1):11-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2016.10.008.
PMID: 28017188RESULTPecos-Martin D, Ponce-Castro MJ, Jimenez-Rejano JJ, Nunez-Nagy S, Calvo-Lobo C, Gallego-Izquierdo T. Immediate effects of variable durations of pressure release technique on latent myofascial trigger points of the levator scapulae: a double-blinded randomised clinical trial. Acupunct Med. 2019 Jun;37(3):141-150. doi: 10.1136/acupmed-2018-011738. Epub 2019 May 7.
PMID: 31060367RESULTFernandez-de-Las-Penas C, Dommerholt J. International Consensus on Diagnostic Criteria and Clinical Considerations of Myofascial Trigger Points: A Delphi Study. Pain Med. 2018 Jan 1;19(1):142-150. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnx207.
PMID: 29025044RESULTTsiringakis G, Dimitriadis Z, Triantafylloy E, McLean S. Motor control training of deep neck flexors with pressure biofeedback improves pain and disability in patients with neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2020 Dec;50:102220. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102220. Epub 2020 Jul 24.
PMID: 32827852RESULTde Zoete RM, Armfield NR, McAuley JH, Chen K, Sterling M. Comparative effectiveness of physical exercise interventions for chronic non-specific neck pain: a systematic review with network meta-analysis of 40 randomised controlled trials. Br J Sports Med. 2020 Nov 2:bjsports-2020-102664. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-102664. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 33139256RESULTMoher D, Hopewell S, Schulz KF, Montori V, Gotzsche PC, Devereaux PJ, Elbourne D, Egger M, Altman DG; CONSORT. CONSORT 2010 explanation and elaboration: updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomised trials. Int J Surg. 2012;10(1):28-55. doi: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2011.10.001. Epub 2011 Oct 12.
PMID: 22036893RESULTHou CR, Tsai LC, Cheng KF, Chung KC, Hong CZ. Immediate effects of various physical therapeutic modalities on cervical myofascial pain and trigger-point sensitivity. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2002 Oct;83(10):1406-14. doi: 10.1053/apmr.2002.34834.
PMID: 12370877RESULTJull GA, O'Leary SP, Falla DL. Clinical assessment of the deep cervical flexor muscles: the craniocervical flexion test. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2008 Sep;31(7):525-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.08.003.
PMID: 18804003RESULTRodriguez-Sanz J, Malo-Urries M, Corral-de-Toro J, Lopez-de-Celis C, Lucha-Lopez MO, Tricas-Moreno JM, Lorente AI, Hidalgo-Garcia C. Does the Addition of Manual Therapy Approach to a Cervical Exercise Program Improve Clinical Outcomes for Patients with Chronic Neck Pain in Short- and Mid-Term? A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Sep 10;17(18):6601. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17186601.
PMID: 32927858RESULTTsang SMH, So BCL, Lau RWL, Dai J, Szeto GPY. Effects of combining ergonomic interventions and motor control exercises on muscle activity and kinematics in people with work-related neck-shoulder pain. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2018 Apr;118(4):751-765. doi: 10.1007/s00421-018-3802-6. Epub 2018 Jan 15.
PMID: 29335773RESULTBeer A, Treleaven J, Jull G. Can a functional postural exercise improve performance in the cranio-cervical flexion test?--a preliminary study. Man Ther. 2012 Jun;17(3):219-24. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2011.12.005. Epub 2012 Feb 4.
PMID: 22310655RESULTBoonstra AM, Schiphorst Preuper HR, Balk GA, Stewart RE. Cut-off points for mild, moderate, and severe pain on the visual analogue scale for pain in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Pain. 2014 Dec;155(12):2545-2550. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2014.09.014. Epub 2014 Sep 17.
PMID: 25239073RESULTPark 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.
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PMID: 28890223RESULT
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Interventions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- STUDY DIRECTOR
Angela C Álvarez Melcón, Doctor
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
- STUDY DIRECTOR
Isidro Fernández López, Doctor
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
- STUDY DIRECTOR
María A Atín Arratibel, Doctor
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Iván Batuecas Sánchez, PhD
Universidad Complutense / Fisioterapia Los Molinos
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- DOUBLE
- Who Masked
- PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Masking Details
- The selection of participants and the randomisation sequence will be carried out by the principal investigator using the patient's unique identity number in the centre's programme as a code. After randomisation, participants will be sent by another therapist in the centre to each intervention room without knowing which treatment they will receive. The therapists in charge of delivering the interventions will not know which patient has been assigned to them. Although both therapists and patients will not know which group they are assigned to, obviously the therapist, given the nature of the intervention and the need to know and master the technique, knows which treatment to apply to each subject.
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- PhD student, Principal investigator
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
September 14, 2023
First Posted
September 25, 2023
Study Start
September 25, 2023
Primary Completion
July 31, 2024
Study Completion
September 20, 2024
Last Updated
September 25, 2023
Record last verified: 2023-09
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will share
- Shared Documents
- STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF, CSR, ANALYTIC CODE
- Time Frame
- From July 2024 until the submission of the thesis
- Access Criteria
- Upon request to the principal investigator and his research team
The present study is carried out as a doctoral thesis of the principal investigator. Therefore, a scientific dissemination is foreseen in the Complutense University of Madrid as well as in the appropriate journals.