Comparison of two different techniques of electrotherapy on myofascial pain

Ardic F., Sarhus M., Topuz O.

JOURNAL OF BACK AND MUSCULOSKELETAL REHABILITATION, vol.16, no.1, pp.11-16, 2002 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 16 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2002
  • Doi Number: 10.3233/bmr-2002-16103
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF BACK AND MUSCULOSKELETAL REHABILITATION
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.11-16
  • Keywords: myofascial pain syndrome, electrotherapy, ELECTRICAL NERVE-STIMULATION, TRIGGER POINT SENSITIVITY, MANAGEMENT, ULTRASOUND
  • Eskisehir Osmangazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study was designed to compare the effects of Transcutaneus Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) on myofascial trigger point (MTrP) of the upper trapezius muscle. A total of 40 patients were randomly divided into three groups. All patients had active MTrP in one side of the upper trapezius muscles. Group I was treated with TENS and trapezius-stretching exercises; Group II was treated with EMS and trapezius stretching exercises and Group III, the control group, had only trapezius-stretching exercises. Subjective pain intensity with VAS, range of motion (ROM), and pain threshold (PT) were assessed before, immediately after two week treatment and 3 months after treatment.