Clinical trial NCT06273514: Comparison the Effects of TECAR With Dry Needling in the Treatment of Myofascial Trigger Points
Official title: TECAR Therapy Might be an Alternative to Dry Needling in the Treatment of Active Myofascial Trigger Points in Upper Trapezius
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Myofascial Pain Syndrome of Neck
Myofascial Trigger Point Syndrome
Myofascial Trigger Point Pain
Keywords: myofascial trigger point
myofascial pain syndrome
TECAR therapy
dry needling
upper trapezius.
Lead sponsor: Medical University of Silesia
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2024-02-22
Enrollment: 22
Sex: MALE
Minimum age (years): 25
Maximum age (years): 45
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

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.


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.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Pain - Pressure pain threshold (PPT)
timeFrame: The measurements were performed three times with a 30-second break. The results are presented as the mean value of these measurements and are expressed in kg/m2.
measure: Pain - numerical rating scale (NRS)
timeFrame: Up to 3 minutes before and up to 3 minutes after each interventions
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Muscle strength
timeFrame: Measurements will be perform three times on both sides of the body up to 5 minutes before and up to 5 minutes after each interventions . The highest results obtained for statistical analysis and will be expressed as kG (kilogram force)
measure: Cervical spine range of motion (ROM)
timeFrame: Each movement will be perform three times up to 10 minutes before and up to 10 minutes after each interventions. The results are present as the mean value of these measurements and are express in degrees (°)
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Ruda Śląska
country: Poland
facility: Medical fit
state: Śląsk
Study officials:
References: