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Treatment of Myofascial Trigger Points in common shoulder disorders by physical therapy: a randomised controlled trial

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Musculoskeletal chronic shoulder disorders
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Registration Number
ISRCTN75722066
Lead Sponsor
Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre (The Netherlands)
Brief Summary

2007 protocol in https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17983467/ 2011 results in https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21261971/ (added 25/02/2021)

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
Completed
Sex
Not specified
Target Recruitment
72
Inclusion Criteria

Between September 2007 and September 2008, all consecutive patients referred to a physical therapy practice specialised in the treatment of individuals with musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, shoulder and arm are potential study participants. The referring physicians include general practioners, orthopaedic surgeons, neurologists and physiatrists. Patients are eligible if they:
1. Have unilateral shoulder complaints (described as pain felt in the shoulder or upper arm) for at least six months
2. Present with persistent shoulder pain that has not spontaneously recovered
3. Are between 18 and 65 years old
4. Because the questionnaires are in the Dutch language, subjects must understand written and verbal Dutch

Exclusion Criteria

1. Diagnosed (prior to the referral) with:
1.1. Shoulder instability
1.2. Shoulder fractures
1.3. Systemic diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, Reiter?s syndrome, diabetes)
2. Medical history or examination suggests neurological diseases
3. Other severe medical or psychiatric disorders

The project leader will check all the available information from referral letters, additional information from the general practitioner and from the patients.

Study & Design

Study Type
Interventional
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
<br> The overall score of the DASH (Disability of Arm Shoulder and Hand) questionnaire - Dutch language version will be used as the primary outcome measure.<br><br> Timepoints:<br> T0 = baseline<br> T1 = 6 weeks later<br> T2 = 12 weeks later<br> T3 = 26 weeks<br> T4 = 52 weeks<br>
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
<br> 1. The total number of shoulder muscles with MTrPs will be counted and compared to the baseline measurement findings<br> 2. Passive range of motion of the shoulder will be measured by an handheld digital inclinometer (The Saunders group Inc, Chaska, MN)<br> 3. The total number of treatment sessions will be counted<br><br> Timepoints:<br> T0 = baseline<br> T1 = 6 weeks later<br> T2 = 12 weeks later<br> T3 = 26 weeks<br> T4 = 52 weeks<br>
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