Percutaneous Microelectrolysis (MEP) Versus Ischemic Compression in Miofascial Trigger Points

Instituto Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud Fundación H.A. Barceló

Status: Completed

Conditions: Myofascial Trigger Point Pain

Treatments: Other: Ischemic compression; Device: MEP

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03708107

U1111-1222-0977 (Registry Identifier)

MKC18G11

Details and patient eligibility

About

The Percutaneous Microelectrolysis ® (MEP®) is a technique that employs a galvanic current up to 990 uA, which is applied percutaneously with an acupuncture needle connected to the cathode. Although it is used in tendinopathies, trigger points and muscle injuries, among other conditions, its bases are mostly empirical and there is lack of evidence.

Ischemic compression is a manual therapy that is usually applied in muscle pain.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) usually presents painful myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). One methodology used to quantify the pain in MPS is the algometry, which measures the pressure pain threshold (PPT).

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of MEP® with ischemic compression on MTrPs with algometry.

Enrollment: 30 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 30 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy volunteers
• Between 18 to 30 years old.
• Who referred MTrP in the upper trapezious.
• PPT equal or less than 3 KgF/cm2

Exclusion criteria

• Being pregnant.
• Taking analgesic medication at least 24 hours before the intervention.
• Being in physical therapy treatment.
• Needle phobia.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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30 participants in 2 patient groups

Percutaneous Microelectrolysis (MEP)

Experimental group

Description:

Principal MTrP will be detected by digital palpation in the upper trapezius. Algometry will be used to determine if the Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT) is equal or less than 3 KgF/cm2. If not, the patient will be not included. A mark will be done in the MTrP. MEP® will be applied with a 0,30 x 25 mm acupuncture needle. The needle will be introduced perpendicularly to the MTrP with 100 uA and then increased up to 600 uA. The current will be paused if the patient feels a burning sensation, pain or oppression, waiting up to the patient feels no discomfort. The procedure will be repeated as many times is necessary until the patient do not feel any discomfort for more than 1 minute. Algometry will be done immediately finished the intervention, after 10 minutes and at 24 hs.

Treatment:

Device: MEP

Ischemic compression

Experimental group

Description:

Principal MTrP will be detected by digital palpation in the upper trapezius. Algometry will be used to determine if the Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT) is equal or less than 3 KgF/cm2. If not, the patient will be not included. A mark will be done in the MTrP with a marker. Ischemic compression will be applied perpendicularly to the MTrP, increasing gradually the pression until the patient refers the maximum tolerable pain. This pressure will be applied for 1 minute. Algometry will be done immediately finished the intervention, after 10 minutes and at 24 hs.

Treatment:

Other: Ischemic compression