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Percutaneous Microelectrolysis (MEP) Versus Ischemic Compression in Miofascial Trigger Points

NCT ID: NCT03708107

Last Updated: 2019-12-23

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

30 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2018-10-22

Study Completion Date

2019-12-10

Brief Summary

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The Percutaneous Microelectrolysis ® (MEP®) is a technique that employs a galvanic current up to 990 uA, which is applied percutaneously with an acupuncture needle connected to the cathode. Although it is used in tendinopathies, trigger points and muscle injuries, among other conditions, its bases are mostly empirical and there is lack of evidence.

Ischemic compression is a manual therapy that is usually applied in muscle pain.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) usually presents painful myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). One methodology used to quantify the pain in MPS is the algometry, which measures the pressure pain threshold (PPT).

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of MEP® with ischemic compression on MTrPs with algometry.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Myofascial Trigger Point Pain

Keywords

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galvanic current electrolysis myofascial trigger point percutaneous microelectrolysis dry needling ischemic compression

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors
The researcher who did the algometry was masked. The researcher who did the statistical analysis was masked.

Study Groups

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Percutaneous Microelectrolysis (MEP)

Principal MTrP will be detected by digital palpation in the upper trapezius. Algometry will be used to determine if the Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT) is equal or less than 3 KgF/cm2. If not, the patient will be not included. A mark will be done in the MTrP.

MEP® will be applied with a 0,30 x 25 mm acupuncture needle. The needle will be introduced perpendicularly to the MTrP with 100 uA and then increased up to 600 uA. The current will be paused if the patient feels a burning sensation, pain or oppression, waiting up to the patient feels no discomfort. The procedure will be repeated as many times is necessary until the patient do not feel any discomfort for more than 1 minute.

Algometry will be done immediately finished the intervention, after 10 minutes and at 24 hs.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

MEP

Intervention Type DEVICE

MEP® will be applied with an acupuncture needle (0,30 x 25 mm). The needle will be introduced perpendicularly to the MTrP with 100 uA and then increased up to 600 uA. The current will be paused if the patient feels a burning sensation, pain or oppression, waiting up to the patient feels no discomfort. The procedure will be repeated as many times is necessary until the patient do not feel any discomfort for more than 1 minute.

Ischemic compression

Principal MTrP will be detected by digital palpation in the upper trapezius. Algometry will be used to determine if the Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT) is equal or less than 3 KgF/cm2. If not, the patient will be not included. A mark will be done in the MTrP with a marker.

Ischemic compression will be applied perpendicularly to the MTrP, increasing gradually the pression until the patient refers the maximum tolerable pain. This pressure will be applied for 1 minute.

Algometry will be done immediately finished the intervention, after 10 minutes and at 24 hs.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Ischemic compression

Intervention Type OTHER

Ischemic compression will be applied perpendicularly to the MTrP, increasing gradually the pression until the patient refers the maximum tolerable pain. This pressure will be applied for 1 minute.

Interventions

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MEP

MEP® will be applied with an acupuncture needle (0,30 x 25 mm). The needle will be introduced perpendicularly to the MTrP with 100 uA and then increased up to 600 uA. The current will be paused if the patient feels a burning sensation, pain or oppression, waiting up to the patient feels no discomfort. The procedure will be repeated as many times is necessary until the patient do not feel any discomfort for more than 1 minute.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Ischemic compression

Ischemic compression will be applied perpendicularly to the MTrP, increasing gradually the pression until the patient refers the maximum tolerable pain. This pressure will be applied for 1 minute.

Intervention Type OTHER

Other Intervention Names

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Percutaneous microelectrolysis Percutaneous galvanic microcurrent

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Healthy volunteers
* Between 18 to 30 years old.
* Who referred MTrP in the upper trapezious.
* PPT equal or less than 3 KgF/cm2

Exclusion Criteria

* Being pregnant.
* Taking analgesic medication at least 24 hours before the intervention.
* Being in physical therapy treatment.
* Needle phobia.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

30 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Instituto Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud Fundación H.A. Barceló

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Oscar Ronzio

Professor - Researcher

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Oscar Ronzio

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

I.U. Fundación H.A. Barceló - U. Maimónides - U. Nacional Arturo Jauretche

Locations

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Oscar Ronzio

Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aire, Buenos Aires F.D., Argentina

Site Status

Countries

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Argentina

Other Identifiers

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U1111-1222-0977

Identifier Type: REGISTRY

Identifier Source: secondary_id

MKC18G11

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id