title: The evaluation of electrodermal properties in the identification of myofascial trigger points.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether skin resistance measurements can objectively identify the location of myofascial trigger points (MTPs) and to differentiate between 3 states.
  
  
  METHODS
  Static group comparison.
  
  
  METHODS
  Climate-controlled laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-nine participants (age, 20.5+/-2.6 y) were assigned to 1 of 3 groups based on clinical examination result: absent (n=21), latent (n=16), or active (n=12) MTP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Skin resistance (in kilo-ohms).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 16 data points were divided into 3 categories for analysis: MTP site, surrounding tissue proximal to the MTP (first ring), and area furthest from the MTP (second ring). There was a significant increase in skin resistance between the MTP (403.64+/-124.73 kOmega), first ring (419.66+/-123.04 kOmega), and second ring (454.61+/-163.19 kOmega) (P<.01). The measurements did not differ significantly between the 3 MTP states.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The changes in skin resistance between the MTP and the surrounding tissue support the inclusion of this technique to help identify MTPs. The similarity between MTP states warrants investigation into the physiologic differences at specific anatomic locations.
authors.affiliation: Biokinetics Research Laboratory, Athletic Training Division, Department of Kinesiology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Shultz
authors.forename: Jeffrey B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Driban
authors.forename: Charles B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Swanik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017288:Pain Threshold