Which Type of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is More Effective in Myofascial Pain Syndrome?

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Myofascial Pain Syndromes
• Interventions: Device: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; Device: Hot pack

• Registration Number: NCT04645095
• Lead Sponsor: Ankara University

Brief Summary

The aim of this project is to compare the effects of conventional, burst and modulated TENS primarily on pain level, number of trigger points, pressure pain threshold, neck joint range of motion and disability in MAS treatment.

Detailed Description

Myofascial pain syndrome (MAS) is a regional pain syndrome characterized by trigger points detected by one or several muscle groups and reflected pain manifestation caused by palpation of these points. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a physical therapy modality that provides an analgesic effect by delivering a controlled low voltage electrical current to the nervous system through electrodes placed on the skin. Knowledge on how modulation parameters such as frequency, wave width and form alter TENS activity are limited.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2017-05-05
• Primary Completion: 2019-12-06
• Study Completion: 2020-03-01
• Status Verified: 2020-11
• Study First Submitted: 2020-11-23
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-11-23
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-11-23
• Study First Posted: 2020-11-27
• Last Update Posted: 2020-11-27

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 101

Inclusion Criteria

• Having a diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome according to the criteria defined by Travell and Simons

Exclusion Criteria

• The onset of symptoms is less than 3 months
• Severe cervical disc hernia, radiculopathy or myelopathy
• Stage 3-4 cervical degeneration
• Tumoral, infectious, psychiatric, neurological, uncontrolled systemic disease
• Cardiac pacemaker
• Diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome
• Kyphoscoliosis
• Acute trauma history
• Having had previous brain or shoulder surgery
• Injections for MAS and / or physiotherapy programs in the last 3 months
• Pregnancy

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Conventional TENS	Hot pack	Frequency:80 Hz, duration:100 μs
Burst TENS	Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation	Frequency:100 Hz, fr mod: 0, 200 µs, 2 Bps Hz
Burst TENS	Hot pack	Frequency:100 Hz, fr mod: 0, 200 µs, 2 Bps Hz
Modulated TENS	Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation	Frequency:80 Hz, fr mod: 50%, Amplitude mode: 40%, duration: 200 µs
Modulated TENS	Hot pack	Frequency:80 Hz, fr mod: 50%, Amplitude mode: 40%, duration: 200 µs
Conventional TENS	Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation	Frequency:80 Hz, duration:100 μs

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pain intensity	Measurements will be made before treatment, at the 1st week after treatment and at the 1st month after treatment.	using Visual Analog Scale score; (0-10); 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates worst imaginable pain
Pressure pain	Measurements will be made before treatment, at the 1st week after treatment and at the 1st month after treatment.	using algometer (kg/cm2)
Neck joint range of motion	Measurements will be made before treatment, at the 1st week after treatment and at the 1st month after treatment.	using double inclinometer
Number of trigger points in the upper back region	Measurements will be made before treatment, at the 1st week after treatment and at the 1st month after treatment.	using number
Disability	Measurements will be made before treatment, at the 1st week after treatment and at the 1st month after treatment.	using Modified Neck Disability Index

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Birkan Sonel Tur; 🇹🇷 Ankara, Turkey