the aim of the study is to check the effects of ischemic compression with and without muscle energy technique on Pain, Range of motion, and Functional Disability on myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius. In previous studies, Muscle Energy Technique and Ischemic Compression are compared with different conventional and combined therapy approaches, including most of the techniques used to treat Trigger Points in the upper trapezius. No study has evaluated the effects of ischemic compression with and without muscle energy technique on Pain, Range of motion, and Functional Disability on myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius. The outcome measures are a Numeric pain rating scale, universal goniometer and neck disability index questionnaire.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
76
It includes conventional Physical therapy, hot packs (75°C) for 20 minutes, and active stretching exercises for the upper trapezius muscle (slow, 5 repetitions per session, 10-second hold, and 10-second relaxation between two repetitions) as a baseline treatment. For the Ischemic compression, the patient will be in the supine position with the cervical spine in opposite lateral flexion to the treating part so that the upper trapezius muscle fibers were kept in a lengthened position physiotherapist will apply gradually increasing pressure to the Trigger points until the subject perceived the first noticeable pain. At that moment, the pressure will be maintained until the discomfort and/or pain eased by around 50% as perceived by the patient, at which time the pressure will be increased until the discomfort appears again. This process will be maintained for 90 seconds.
The Participants will receive all the treatments given to the active comparator group and they will also receive the Muscle Energy Technique treatment in supine position and the practitioner will stabilize the shoulder of the affected side with one hand, while the ear/mastoid area of the affected side will be held by the opposite hand. The head and neck were then bent towards the contralateral side, flexed, and ipsilaterally rotated. The subjects will then shrug the stabilized shoulder towards the ear at a sub-maximal pain-free effort (20% of the available strength). The isometric contraction will be held for 7-10s. This position will be maintained for 30 seconds and repeated three to five times per treatment session. Treatment sessions will be given on alternate days.
University of Sialkot
Sialkot, Punjab Province, Pakistan
Change from Baseline in pain on Numeric Pain Rating Scale at week 4
on a scale of 1 to 10, o means no pain while 10 means worst pain
Time frame: Baseline and week 4
Change from Baseline in Goniometer readings at week 4
for flexion any value less than 90 degrees indicates limited range of motion, for extension any value less than 70 indicates limited range of motion, for lateral flexion values less than 20 and greater than 45 considered limited, for rotation value less than 90 is considered limited
Time frame: Baseline and week 4
Change from baseline in Neck disability index questionnaire scores at week 4
on a scale of 0 to 50, 0 indicates no disability and 50 indicates completely disabled
Time frame: Baseline and week 4
Pain on Numeric Pain Rating Scale at week 2
on a scale of 1 to 10, o means no pain while 10 means worst pain
Time frame: week 2
Goniometer readings at week 2
Using goniometer, neck ranges of motion will be measured. for flexion any value less than 90 degrees indicates limited range of motion, for extension any value less than 70 indicates limited range of motion, for lateral flexion values less than 20 and greater than 45 considered limited, for rotation value less than 90 is considered limited
Time frame: week 2
Neck disability index questionnaire scores at week 2
on a scale of 0 to 50, 0 indicates no disability and 50 indicates completely disabled
Time frame: week 2
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