A comparison on efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and therapeutic ultrasound in treatment of myofascial trigger points | [Khyber Medical University Journal • 2016]

Author(s):

1. Fareeha Amjad: University Institute of Physical Therapy, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan; Postal address: House No. 1402, Overseas B, Sector C Bahria Town, Lahore, Pakistan

2. Hassan Anjum Shahid: Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, Imperial College of Business Studies, Lahore, Pakistan

3. Sana Batool: Rehabilitation, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan

4. Ashfaq Ahmad: University Institute and Clinic of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, The University of Lahore, Pakistan

5. Imran Ahmed: Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) versus therapeutic ultrasound (US) on pain intensity and cervical range of motion (ROM) in patients with upper trapezius myofascial trigger points. METHODS: Sixty-four patients, selected from Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Rabia Moon Trust Hospital were divided into two groups. Group-A was treated with TENS and upper trapezius stretching while group-B was treated with US and upper trapezius stretching. Both groups received 12 sessions of treatment, 6 times a week for two weeks. Pre and post-treatment evaluation of pain intensity and cervical ROM was made through numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) and goniometer. RESULTS: Mean pre & post-treatment pain intensity score (PIS), was 5.16±1.09 & 2.62 ± 1.23 in Group-A (p<0.01) and 5.87±1.21 & 0.84±1.01 in Group-B (p<0.05). Mean pre & post-treatment left lateral flexion (LLF) was 32.01±8.00 & 37.09±6.62 in Group-A (p<0.01) and 31.71±6.76 & 40.12±4.52 in Group-B (p<0.01). Mean pre & post-treatment right lateral flexion (RLF), was 30.87±7.15 & 36.01±6.92 in Group-A and 32.09±6.54 & 40.81±4.78 in Group-B (p<0.01). Mean change in PIS was 2.54±0.14 & 5.03±0.2 in Group-A & Group-B respectively (p<0.05). Mean change in LLF, was 5.08±1.38 & 8.41±2.24 in Group-A & Group-B respectively (p <0.05). Mean change in RLF, was 5.14±0.23 & 8.72±1.76 in Group-A & Group-B respectively (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: Both therapeutic ultrasound and TENS resulted in significant improvement in pain intensity and cervical ROM, in patients having upper trapezius trigger points. Ultrasound was clinically more effective as compared to TENS.

Page(s): 3-6

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Khyber Medical University Journal, Volume: 8, Issue: 1, Year: 2016

Keywords:

trigger points MeSH , Myofascial pain syndromes NonMeSH , Ultrasonography MeSH , trapezius muscle NonMeSH , Transcutaeous Electrical Nerve Stimulation MeSH

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