Effects of Radio-frequency in Patients With Myofascial Chronic Neck Pain

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Status: Completed

Conditions: Neck Pain

Treatments: Other: Radiofrequency

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02353195

15/2013

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential clinical benefits of Monopolar Capacitive Resistive Radio-frequency (448 kHz) (MCRR)F for the treatment of myofascial chronic neck pain.

Full description

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Setting: University community.

Patients with myofascial chronic neck pain with active MTrP in one upper trapezius muscle were involved. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: a radiofrequency group (RFG), who (14 patients) received 8 sessions of a monopolar capacitive resistive radiofrequency (MCRRF) application over the upper trapezius muscle and ten patients received 8 sessions of placebo radiofrequency (PG) over the same muscle. Main outcome measures: Visual analog scale (VAS), neck disability index (NDI) and cervical range of motion (pre-treatment, immediately post-first session treatment and post-treatment.

Enrollment: 50 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

-Patients aged between 18 and 60 years with myofascial chronic neck pain. The area of neck pain was defined as the cervical region, possibly with referred or radiating pain into the occiput, nuchal muscles, shoulders and upper limbs. Symptoms had to have been present for at least six months before. At least one active MTrP in one upper trapezius muscle had to be present. For bilateral neck pain, the most painful side was designated for treatment.

Exclusion criteria

• Severe disorders of the cervical spine, such as spinal stenosis, disk prolapse, postoperative conditions of the neck and shoulder areas, history of severe trauma, whiplash, spasmodic torticollis, instability, migraine, peripheral nerve entrapment, fibromyalgia, shoulder diseases, inflammatory rheumatic diseases, severe psychiatric illness and pregnancy.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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50 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Radio-frequency group

Experimental group

Description:

The equipment used, (INDIBA® activ 902, (448kHz)). The electricity was administered in the following manner: cream was applied to the site with the severe rest pain and its adjacent area, and the electrical output was increased by moving the movable electrode within the patient´s tolerance level, while monitoring the skin temperature tolerable to the patient. Therapy was conducted for 12 minutes, two times per week over four weeks (eight sessions in total)

Treatment:

Other: Radiofrequency

Placebo group

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

All patients were treated with the same device in a nonfunctional application (no energy source) and the therapy was conducted for 12 minutes, two times per week over four weeks (eight sessions in total).

Treatment:

Other: Radiofrequency