Efficacy of High and Low Intensity Percutaneous Electrolysis for the Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Muscle pain is frequently attributed to myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) in which myofascial trigger points (MTrP) are a characteristic feature. Dry needling is a frequent clinical practice to manage MPS but few evidence is published about percutaneous electrolysis effects for the treatment of MPS. This is a randomized clinical trial with 3 parallel groups: 1) High intensity-short time percutaneous electrolysis; 2) Low intensity-long time percutaneous electrolysis; 3) dry needling control group.

Detailed Description
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The current study aimed to evaluate changes in rectus femurs active trigger points and patellar tendon pain pressure thresholds and subjective anterior knee pain perception after application of two percutaneous electrolysis methods using a same charge (high intensity and low intensity) compared to a dry needling group in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) Fifteen patients diagnosed with unilateral PFPS were divided in two experimental groups (high intensity percutaneous electrolysis and low intensity percutaneous electrolysis) and one active control group (dry needling. The duration of the study was 7 days with only one intervention. Pain pressure thresholds were assessed using an algometer before the intervention, immediately after the intervention and after 7 days and a Visual Analogue Scale was used before the treatment and after 7 days to rate the subjective anterior knee pain perception. Also a VAS was used to rate the pain perception during the intervention

Official Title
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Efficacy of High and Low Intensity Percutaneous Electrolysis for the Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Pilot Study

Conditions
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Knee Pain Chronic, Muscle Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Percutaneous Electrolysis
* Procedure: Dry needling


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Athletes with knee pain Presence of at least one active Trigger point Exclusion Criteria: Farmacologic treatment Surgery or traumas Skin alterations or infections Prior 6 weeks DN nor PT treatment

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Randomized Clinical trial with 3 parallel groups; 2 experimental groups and 1 control group
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: High-Intensity short time percutaneous electrolysis<br>Application of a 0,66uA galvanic current in the active TrP through a needle during 10 seconds. During the 20 seconds left necessary to blind the patient and the examiner, the needle was inside but with no electrical current | Procedure: Percutaneous Electrolysis<br>* Needle emplacement with a galvanic electrical current<br>|
| Experimental: Low-Intensity long time percutaneous electrolysis<br>Application of a 0,22uA galvanic current in the active TrP through a needle during 30 seconds | Procedure: Percutaneous Electrolysis<br>* Needle emplacement with a galvanic electrical current<br>|
| Active Comparator: Dry needling<br>One acupuncture needle was placed in the active TrP to produce a local twitch response during 30 seconds | Procedure: Dry needling<br>* Needle emplacement without electrical current nor substance<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pressure Pain Threshold (Trigger Point) | Algometry (Wagner analogical algometer) | 7 days | 
| Pressure Pain Threshold (Patellar Tendon) | Algometry (Wagner analogical algometer) | 7 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Subjective pain perception | Visual Analogue Scale | 7 days | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Patellofemoral pain syndrome, Electrolysis, Myofascial Pain Syndromes, Acupuncture