Immediate Effects of Self-myofascial Release on Latent Trigger Point Sensitivity

NCT ID: NCT02609412

Last Updated: 2016-05-11

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 48 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2015-05-31
• Study Completion Date: 2016-05-31

Brief Summary

Latent myofascial trigger points (LMTRP) which impair neuromuscular performance occur in both, patients and asymptomatic subjects. As evidence suggests that LMTRP can transform into active trigger points, therapy seems warranted. Besides other modalities, self-massage using foam rollers (self-myofascial release) has been applied as a treatment. However, there is no data on the efficacy of this method concerning LMTRP. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of different forms of self-myofascial release on LMTRP pain.

Healthy patients with LMTRP in the calf are randomly allocated to one of three groups: 1) 90s static compression of the most sensitive LMTRP by means of the foam roll, 2) dynamic self-myofascial release rolling back and forth on the calf muscles for 90s using a foam roller, 3) placebo laser acupuncture of the most sensitive LMTRP. All subjects participate in a familiarization session with the foam roller one week prior to treatments. As an outcome, pressure pain threshold is assessed with an algometer. The investigators hypothesize, that static compression can reduce pressure pain of LMTRP more effective than dynamic self-myofascial release. The investigators further expect that placebo treatment will be the least effective method.

Conditions

Trigger Points

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Static compression of LMTRP

static compression of most sensitive LMTRP with the foam roll for 90 seconds

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Static compression of LMTRP

Intervention Type: OTHER

Static compression of most sensitive Triggerpoint with a foam roller (Blackroll Inc., Germany).

Dynamic self-myofascial release of calf

dynamic self-myofascial release rolling back and forth on the entire calf for 90 seconds with the foam roll

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Dynamic self-myofascial release of calf

Intervention Type: OTHER

Dynamic self-massage of the calf with a foam roller (Blackroll Inc., Germany).

Placebo laser acupuncture of LMTRP

placebo laser acupuncture applied on most sensitive LMTRP of the calf, light and acoustic sounds provided, but laser remains switched off, 90 seconds

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo laser acupuncture of LMTRP

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Used device: Laserneedle System (Laserneedle Systems GmbH, Glienicke/Nordbahn, Germany). Electrodes positioned on skin but device remains switched off.

Interventions

Static compression of LMTRP

Static compression of most sensitive Triggerpoint with a foam roller (Blackroll Inc., Germany).

Intervention Type: OTHER

Dynamic self-myofascial release of calf

Dynamic self-massage of the calf with a foam roller (Blackroll Inc., Germany).

Intervention Type: OTHER

Placebo laser acupuncture of LMTRP

Used device: Laserneedle System (Laserneedle Systems GmbH, Glienicke/Nordbahn, Germany). Electrodes positioned on skin but device remains switched off.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• at least one diagnosed latent myofascial trigger point in the calf
• age 18 to 65 years
• written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

• active myofascial trigger point in the calf
• regular intake of drugs or within past 48 hours
• severe psychiatric, neurological, orthopaedic, cardiovascular or endocrine diseases
• pregnancy or nursing period
• any condition that negatively influences current quality of life

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Goethe University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Prof. Dr. Dr. Winfried Banzer

Head of Department

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Winfried Banzer, MD, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Department of Sports Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main

Locations

Goethe University Frankfurt/Main

Frankfurt am Main, , Germany

Countries

Germany

Other Identifiers

SpM2015-002

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id