Myofascial Trigger Points of the Levator Scapulae Muscle

NCT ID: NCT05776199

Last Updated: 2023-05-06

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 80 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2022-09-01
• Study Completion Date: 2022-12-28

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

Study Design

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

Study Groups

Ischemic Compression group

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

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Sonoelastography, tensiomyography and mechanosensitivity

Intervention Type: 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

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

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Sonoelastography, tensiomyography and mechanosensitivity

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

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

Interventions

Sonoelastography, tensiomyography and mechanosensitivity

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

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• 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.

Exclusion Criteria

• 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.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Universidad Católica de Ávila

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

JORGE VELAZQUEZ SAORNIL

PhD.

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Universidad Católica de Ávila

Ávila, , Spain

Countries

Spain

References

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.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 20813576 (View on PubMed)

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.

Reference Type: RESULT

PMID: 20236839 (View on PubMed)

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.

Reference Type: RESULT

PMID: 28435467 (View on PubMed)

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.

Reference Type: RESULT

PMID: 23793988 (View on PubMed)

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.

Reference Type: RESULT

PMID: 22506152 (View on PubMed)

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.

Reference Type: RESULT

PMID: 23493615 (View on PubMed)

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.

Reference Type: RESULT

PMID: 23499143 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

03/23

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id