Myofascial Trigger Points of the Levator Scapulae Muscle

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Myofascial Pain Syndrome
• Interventions: Diagnostic Test: Sonoelastography, tensiomyography and mechanosensitivity

• Registration Number: NCT05776199
• Lead Sponsor: Universidad Católica de Ávila

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).

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2022-09-01
• Primary Completion: 2022-09-21
• Study Completion: 2022-12-28
• Study First Submitted: 2023-03-06
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-03-16
• Study First Posted: 2023-03-20
• Status Verified: 2023-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-05-03
• Last Update Posted: 2023-05-06

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 80

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.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Ischemic Compression group	Sonoelastography, tensiomyography and mechanosensitivity	IC group with conservative technique in trigger points in levator scapulae muscle
Dry needling group	Sonoelastography, tensiomyography and mechanosensitivity	Dry needling group with invasive technique in trigger points in levator scapulae muscle

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
manual tension index sonoelastography	1 week	Measurement of manual ultrasound transducer tension on the trigger point of the levator scapulae

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
tensiomyography	1 week	Ultrasound transducer tensiomyography measurement of the levator scapulae trigger point
minimum intensity of a stimulus that elicits the sensation of pain (pressure pain threshold).	1 week	patient-tolerable pain at the trigger point of the levator scapulae muscle measured by algometer.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Universidad Católica de Ávila; 🇪🇸 Ávila, Spain