Comparison the Effects of TECAR With Dry Needling in the Treatment of Myofascial Trigger Points

NCT ID: NCT06273514

Last Updated: 2024-02-22

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 22 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2020-12-01
• Study Completion Date: 2022-12-31

Brief Summary

The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of dry needling (DN) and capacitive and resistive transfer of energy (TECAR) therapy in the treatment of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) as well comparison of their efficacy.

Research hypothesis:

Capacitive and resistive energy transfer therapy is comparable to dry needling therapy for the treatment of myofascial trigger points.

It is estimated that the presence of trigger points is the main cause of pain in 30-85% of patients visiting primary health care facilities and pain management clinics. The presence of trigger points may significantly affect the patient's functional status and daily functioning. Recently, diagnostic criteria and methods of treating trigger points have evolved significantly. However, the usefulness of different imaging methods in the diagnosis of trigger points has not yet been established. Despite numerous studies, the long-term effectiveness of the dry needling method is still unknown. Furthermore, there is no available research on the short- and long-term effectiveness of capacitive and resistive energy transfer therapy in the treatment of trigger points.

Therefore, the objectives of the work were:

Determination and comparison of the short- and long-term effects of capacitive and resistive energy transfer therapy and the dry needling technique of myofascial trigger points located in the upper trapezius muscle (UT) on the strength, neck range of motion and pain intensity within this muscle.

The study is planned to include a group of 26 men aged 25 to 45 who suffer from pain caused by the presence of myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. The subjects will be divided into two groups of equal number of people. The first group will undergo therapy using the dry needling technique, while the second group will undergo capacitive and resistive energy transfer therapy.

In order to determine the immediate effects of capacitive and resistive energy transfer therapy and dry needling techniques, measurements of muscle strength, the intensity of pain in the upper trapezius muscle and neck range of motion will be performed before and after each therapeutic session (2 session in 2 weeks are planed). In turn, to determine the long-term effects of capacitive and resistive energy transfer therapy and dry needling, the next above-mentioned measurements will be performed four weeks after the end of first therapy.

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndrome of Neck; Myofascial Trigger Point Syndrome; Myofascial Trigger Point Pain

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

TECAR

TECAR therapy is a non-invasive method for treating musculoskeletal system disorders based on the application of high-frequency current (300 kHz - 1 MHz)

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

TECAR

Intervention Type: OTHER

TECAR therapy performs using a WINBACK® 1s device (Daeyang Medical Co. Ltd, South Korea) with a maximum power of 100W. A 500 kHz frequency capacitive electrode is applied directly to the active MTrP in the UT. The closed electrode is placed distally on the arm. Lowpulse modulation use during treatment with half-second pauses. This enables the application of the current directly into the MTrP without enrolling the entire muscle. The single exposure last for 10 min. The current dose participant-dependent and ranged from 40 to 60% (100% = 100 Watts).

Each time, before and after treatment, and 30 days after the first therapy, the following features will be asses: pain intensity, muscle strength, and ROM.

Dry needling

Dry needling, a form of intramuscular stimulation, is a therapeutic intervention employed in physiotherapy and sports medicine. It entails the precise insertion of fine needles into specific myofascial trigger points, taut bands of skeletal muscle, or connective tissue without the administration of pharmacological agents.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Dry needling

Intervention Type: OTHER

Dry needling performs using SOMA needles (25 mm x 0.3 mm). During the therapy, the participant is in a prone position. The affected UT region is disinfect before needling. The taut band localizes between the thumb and index finger of the researcher. The needle within the plastic guide tube is place over the MTrP at the UT. The needle directly inserts into the MTrP. A local twitch response confirms the accuracy of the puncture. Needling performs using Hong's "fast in, fast out" technique. The needle will be withdrawn if no twitching will observe.

Interventions

TECAR

TECAR therapy performs using a WINBACK® 1s device (Daeyang Medical Co. Ltd, South Korea) with a maximum power of 100W. A 500 kHz frequency capacitive electrode is applied directly to the active MTrP in the UT. The closed electrode is placed distally on the arm. Lowpulse modulation use during treatment with half-second pauses. This enables the application of the current directly into the MTrP without enrolling the entire muscle. The single exposure last for 10 min. The current dose participant-dependent and ranged from 40 to 60% (100% = 100 Watts).

Each time, before and after treatment, and 30 days after the first therapy, the following features will be asses: pain intensity, muscle strength, and ROM.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Dry needling

Dry needling performs using SOMA needles (25 mm x 0.3 mm). During the therapy, the participant is in a prone position. The affected UT region is disinfect before needling. The taut band localizes between the thumb and index finger of the researcher. The needle within the plastic guide tube is place over the MTrP at the UT. The needle directly inserts into the MTrP. A local twitch response confirms the accuracy of the puncture. Needling performs using Hong's "fast in, fast out" technique. The needle will be withdrawn if no twitching will observe.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Other Intervention Names

capacitive and resistive transfer of energy; DN

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• sex male
• age 25-45
• manually confirmed active MTrP in the upper trapezius

Exclusion Criteria

• MTrP therapy in the upper trapezius region during the last year
• history of neck trauma
• history of cervical spine surgeries
• history of humeral joint surgeries
• cervical radiculopathy
• chronic and acute diseases of the cardiovascular system
• chronic and acute diseases of the respiratory system
• chronic and acute diseases of the nervous systems
• endocrine disturbances
• skin lesions in upper trapezius area
• acute inflammation
• cancer
• BMI > 30 kg/m2.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 25 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 45 Years
• Eligible Sex: MALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Medical University of Silesia

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Tomasz Piętka

School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Department of Physical Medicine, Chair of Physiotherapy, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Medical fit

Ruda Śląska, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland

Countries

Poland

Other Identifiers

TECAR and DN intervention

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id