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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
30
MEP® will be applied with an acupuncture needle (0,30 x 25 mm). 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.
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.
Oscar Ronzio
Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aire, Buenos Aires F.D., Argentina
Preasure Pain Threshold (PPT)
Algometry is used to measure the Preasure Pain Threshold (PPT). PPT is defined as the minimum force applied which induces pain. It was applied in the Miofascial Trigger points.
Time frame: 24 hours
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