Effect of Cryoflow Versus Ultrasound in Acute Trapezitis on Pain, Range of Motion and Quality of Life: A Comparative Interventional Study
Authors: Kanjibhai Rathva Prakashbhai , Unmesh Shukla Yagna 
Published: December 2023

INTRODUCTION: Trapezitis is defined as inflammation of trapezius muscle. Neck pain prevalence varies widely on different studies with a mean point prevalence of 13% (range 5.9%-38.7%) and mean lifetime prevalence of 50% (range 14.2% - 71.0%). Cryoflow therapy is a relatively new modality in the physical therapy field that ensures a constant temperature on the treatment area. It cools down surrounding air for cryotherapy, which is suggested to be used for local anesthesia (analgesia) for pain relief and rehabilitation, motor effects to improve mobility, and for anti-inflammation by a combination of cold and compression with powerful cold airflow. Therapeutic Ultrasound is a modality which involves the generation of high frequency sound waves and their transmission through the skin to the structures desired to be affected. It is a non-invasive method which consists of piezoelectric crystals that convert electrical energy to mechanical oscillation energy using high-frequency alternating current. So need of study is to compare the effect of cryoflow and ultrasound on pain, cervical range of motion and Quality of life in acute trapezitis.
METHODOLOGY: Approval of Ethical Committee will be taken. After taking informed written consent from the subject, demographic data will be collected. As per inclusion and exclusion criteria all patient with Acute Trapezitis will be included. Once selected, Participants will be randomly allocated into two intervention and control group. Pre-intervention pain and function assessment will be done by NPRS, Cervical range of motion and Neck Disability index functional scale respectively. first Interventional group will receive conventional physiotherapy treatment plus Cryotherapy. Second Interventional group will receive conventional physiotherapy plus Ultrasound and Control Group will receive only Conventional Physiotherapy treatment. All 3 groups will receive treatment for 7 sessions. After 7 sessions, follow up would be taken and post-intervention pain, function assessment and range of motion will be done and results will be analysed.
RESULTS: All the three groups (GROUP A, GROUP B GROUP C) individually shows significant improvement in decreasing pain intensity, improving the cervical range of motion and quality of life. No significant difference was found between Group A (cryoflow) & Group B (ultrasound) in decreasing pain intensity, improving the cervical range of motion and quality of life. But significant results found when group A (cryoflow) and group B (ultrasound) compared with group C (control).
CONCLUSION: The study concluded that ultrasound therapy and cryoflow with conventional exercises is statistically and clinically equally effective in reducing pain, improving cervical ROM and Quality of life in Acute Trapezitis.

Key words: Acute Trapezitis, ultrasound, cryoflow, NPRS (numerical pain rating scale), cervical range of motion, neck disability index, MTPs (myofascial trigger points).