Effects of MR With TENS Conductive Glove in Adults With Neck Myofascial Syndrome.

Summary

Myofascial neck syndrome has a high incidence in the general population and is characterized by the presence of painful trigger points in the neck muscles. Both the application of manual techniques such as myofascial release and the application of TENS currents to the painful points of the neck muscles have been proven to help reduce pain and improve the range of motion of the neck. 80 adults who will present at least one trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle will be randomly divided into four groups. In the first group, a combination therapy of myofascial release with conductive TENS glove will be applied, in the second group the same protocol of myofascial release without conductive glove, in the third group a high frequency (conventional) TENS, and the fourth group will get placebo TENS with the device closed. All participants will follow a total of six treatments over a period of three weeks with a follow-up after one month. The following will be evaluated before and after the intervention, as well as in the one-month follow-up: pain with the visual analog scale (VAS pain), Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) in the upper trapezius muscle with a digital algometer, range of motion (ROM) of the neck with a goniometer, and functional ability with the "Neck Disability Index" (NDI) questionnaire.

Conditions

• Neck Pain

Interventions

OTHER

Myofascial release with TENS conductive glove

Before each MR session, light massage and stretching was applied for five minutes as preparation for the manipulations. The massage included the effleurage technique followed by petrissage and kneading on the cervical and thoracic areas (on the upper three parts of the trapezius muscle, in the suboccipital area, and on the paraspinal cervical muscles). Stretching was applied to the following muscles: upper part of the trapezius, levator scapulae, and the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Upper trapezius myofascial release, unilateral gross stretch, vertical gross stretch, focused stretch, cranial base myofascial release, gross release of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and release of the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles.

OTHER

Myofascial release without TENS conductive glove

Before each MR session, light massage and stretching was applied for five minutes as preparation for the manipulations. The massage included the effleurage technique followed by petrissage and kneading on the cervical and thoracic areas (on the upper three parts of the trapezius muscle, in the suboccipital area, and on the paraspinal cervical muscles). Stretching was applied to the following muscles: upper part of the trapezius, levator scapulae, and the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Upper trapezius myofascial release, unilateral gross stretch, vertical gross stretch, focused stretch, cranial base myofascial release, gross release of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and release of the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles.

OTHER

Conventional TENS

Two 40\*50mm silicone electrodes were placed with the negative electrode on the trigger point of the trapezius muscle and the positive one on the acromion. The current frequency was 120Hz and pulse duration 80ms for 30 minutes. This protocol has been proposed by Ebadi et al. (2021)

OTHER

Sham TENS

Two 40\*50mm silicone electrodes were placed with the negative electrode on the trigger point of the trapezius muscle and the positive one on the acromion. The current frequency was 120Hz and pulse duration 80ms for 30 minutes. This protocol has been proposed by Ebadi et al. (2021)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• International Hellenic University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Paris Iakovidis, PhD · International Hellenic University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

22 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-04-01

Primary Completion

2022-06-15

Completion

2022-06-15

Countries

• Greece

Study Locations