The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of myofascial trigger (MTP) point deactivation for tinnitus control in a population with tinnitus and myofascial pain.
A double blind placebo control randomized clinical trial was made to verify the efficacy of the treatment by deactivation of MTP, after 10 sessions, in tinnitus patients by means of comparison with a placebo treatment in a control group. Patients with tinnitus and frequent regional pain for at least 3 months in the head, neck and shoulder girdle were investigated in the Tinnitus Research Group of University of São Paulo Medical School. All of them underwent an interview with the otolaryngologist ("physician researcher"), an audiologist evaluation ("blind researcher"), another blind researcher evaluation for tinnitus and pain and a physiotherapist evaluation and randomization. Both blind researchers evaluated tinnitus and pain in the first, fifth and tenth session. The real treatment was made by a gradual and persistent digital pressure in each MTP previously diagnosed by the blind researcher (8 possible muscles) and some home orientations that included stretch, superficial heat in each treated muscle and watch the correct postures during daily activities and sleeping. In the control group physiotherapist researcher pressed in an adjacent non-tender muscle fibers of the same muscle that have MTP. No other complementary orientation was done.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
57
The deactivation of MTP will be performed always by the same physiotherapist researcher using the same technique. Afterwards, a myofascial maneuver is performed in each treated muscle. All patients of the experimental group will be advised to perform complimentary procedures at home during the 10-week period treatment in order to maintain the status of the muscle up to the next session and to avoid losing the obtained result:(1) Stretching of the treated muscles, once a day for 25 seconds each, (2)Superficial heat in each treated muscle, once a day for 20 minutes, (3) Watch the correct postures during daily activities and sleeping.
The physiotherapist researcher will press in an adjacent nontender muscle fibers of the same muscle that have MTP about 3cm to the right or to the left of each diagnosed MTP, using just a slight pressure on it, not enough for deactivation.
Clinics Hospital of University of Sao Paulo Medical School - Department of Otorhinolaryngology
São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, tinnitus visual analogue scale (0 to 10), changes of numbers of sounds and frequency
Time frame: first, fifth and tenth session of treatment
Intensity and frequency of pain; number of active trigger point
Time frame: first, fifth and tenth session of treatment
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.