Acupressure Versus Ischemic Release in Non-specific Neck Pain

Soheir Shehata RezkAllah Samaan45 enrolled

Overview

Chronic neck pain (CNP) attributed to myofascial pain syndrome (MFPS) which is one of the particularly common skeletal muscle disorder associated with the hyperirritable zone in the taut band of muscle. Myofascial trigger points (MTrP) are one of the most overlooked and ignored causes of musculoskeletal pain. This study aims to compare the clinical efficacy of acupressure of cervical acupoints versus ischemic compression release (ICR) of MTrPs in CNP.

Nonspecific neck pain (NSNP) is the commonest cause of neck symptoms and results from postural and mechanical causes.Chronic neck pain (CNP) attributed to myofascial pain syndrome (MFPS) which is one of the particularly common skeletal muscle disorder associated with the hyperirritable zone in the taut band of muscle. Myofascial trigger points (MTrP) are one of the most overlooked and ignored causes of musculoskeletal pain.The objectives of this study is to compare the clinical efficacy of acupressure of cervical acupoints versus ischemic compression release (ICR) of MTrPs in CNP. This single blind randomized trial involves patients with NSNP were randomly assigned into three groups: the acupressure group (ACG), and the ischemic compression release group (ICRG) and the control group (CG). Patients in all groups received hot packs and post-isometric relaxation. Patients in ACG received acupressure at local acupuncture points, Gall bladder 21 (GB 21), small intestine 14 (SI 14) and SI 15, and the ICRG received pressure on MTrPs of trapezius muscle on both sides. VAS sores, pressure pain threshold (PPT), neck lateral flexion range of motion, and neck disability index (NDI) were assessed before and after 4 weeks of treatment.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Manual Therapy Neck Pain

Interventions

Manual therapyPROCEDURE

* Acupressure of acupoints is manipulation of classic acupoints by pressure. * Ischemic compression release is applying pressure to the myofascial trigger points until release of these points.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 25 YearsMax age: 45 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * All participants have nonspecific NP for a period of \>3 months * All participants are presented with at least one active MTrP at the upper trapezius muscle, - * All participants had not used any medications or physiotherapy to alleviate pain were included in this study. Exclusion Criteria: * Participants who met these criteria had been excluded: 1. NP due to trauma, whiplash, cervical disc prolapse, inflammation, malignant disease, or any other neurological and orthopedic conditions, which will affect the assessment. 2. Congenital malformation of the spine as it will alter the normal pattern of movements. 3. Had any invasive therapies in the past month. 4. Patients with sensory impairments, such as diabetic sensory neuropathy. 5. Mental disorders.

Locations (1)

Soheir

Cairo, Egypt

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Pain intensity

\- The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) assessed the intensity of general pain and pain in the right and left upper trapezius. The scale consists of an unanchored horizontal line 10 centimeters in length, with one end corresponding to zero ("no pain") and the other to 10 ("maximum pain").

Time frame: 4 successive weeks

Pressure pain threshold

The palpated trigger points are marked with a skin marker. The patient is positioned accordingly and a dial type pressure algometer is placed on the site and a con¬stant vertical pressure was applied to the site. The subject is instructed to express pain by raising their hands when only slight pain was felt, until then the pressure is increased at a constant rate.

Time frame: 4 successive weeks

Cervical range of motion

It was aligned on the Nose Bridge and ears and was fastened to the head by a Velcro strap. It was imperative that the patient's chair be positioned such that the magnetic field would zero the dial meter for the rotation component. Prior to testing, Subjects were instructed to sit erect in the chair, with their low back against the chair, midback away from the chair, arms hanging at sides, and feet flat on the floor. Active right and left lateral flexion components of cervical spine motion were measured twice on each subject. During testing, all dials read zero before the desired component was measured. A horizontal line was placed on the wall for the purpose of tracking; subjects were instructed to follow this line when the lateral flexion component was measured

Time frame: 4 successive weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Neck function

The neck disability index is composed of ten descriptions which assess an individual's daily activities, pain and concentration in regards to their functional sta¬tus. Each question carries six responses on a scale of 0-5 (Howard, 1991). The maximum possible score is 50. Disability is cal¬culated using the NDI raw score as no disability (0-4), mild (5-14), moderate (15-24), severe (25-34) and complete (\<34).The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is the most widely used instrument in neck pain

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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