title: Management of myofascial pain of upper trapezius: a three group comparison study.
abstract: It is important to identify the most effective therapeutic modality in the management of myofascial trigger points (MTPt). Thus we aimed to study the effect of therapeutic ultrasound, laser and ischemic compression in reducing pain and improving cervical range of motion among patients with MTPt. Experimental study comparing three groups was designed as a 5 days trial, a co-relational design was considered.
  
  
  METHODS
  VAS for pain, provocative pain test using "soft tissue tenderness grading scheme" and active cervical lateral flexion using inch tape. Methods- Patients were divided into 3 groups, Gr 1 underwent treatment using therapeutic ultrasound, Gr 2 with therapeutic laser and Gr 3 with ischemic compression. Assessments were done on day 1 and day 5 of treatment respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ANOVA revealed improvement among all 3 groups as statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between the start and end of trial. Analysis using Chi square test shows a statistically significant difference in the improvement between laser and the other 2 groups. Mean difference in the change of scores between the assessments showed laser therapy to have a tendency towards progressive improvement over the treatment period and a better improvement than the other 2 groups. We conclude that laser can be used as an effective treatment regimen in the management of myofascial trigger points thereby reducing disability caused due to musculoskeletal pathology.
authors.affiliation: Center for Physiotherapy Research, University of Otago, New Zealand. priyastanpt@gmail.com
authors.forename: Priya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kannan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009334:Neck Muscles; D010147:Pain Measurement; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy