title: Effect of ischemic pressure using a Backnobber II device on discomfort associated with myofascial trigger points.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of ischemic pressure on myofascial trigger point (MTrP) sensitivity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, controlled study with the researcher assessing MTrP sensitivity blinded to the intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight people with two MTrPs in the upper back musculature.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sensitivity of two MTrPs in the upper back was assessed with a JTECH algometer. One of the two MTrPs was randomly selected for treatment with a Backnobber II, while the other served as a control.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre- and post-test pressure-pain thresholds of the MTrPs
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference between the pre- and post-test sensitivities of the treated and non-treated MTrPs (p=0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study confirm that the protocol of six repetitions of 30-s ischemic compression with the Backnobber II rendered every other day for a week was effective in reducing MTrP irritability.
authors.affiliation: Widener University, Institute for Physical Therapy Education, One University Place, 126 Cottee Hall, Chester, PA 19013, USA. dtgulick@widener.edu
authors.forename: Dawn T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Gulick
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Palombaro
authors.forename: Jill Black
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lattanzi
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003625:Data Collection; D005156:Facial Neuralgia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D053591:Referred Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult