Effects of the high-power pain threshold ultrasound technique in the elderly with latent myofascial trigger points: a double-blind randomized study.
OBJECTIVE
The high-power pain threshold ultrasound (HPPTUS) technique has been introduced as a novel treatment method in patients with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). The aim of the current study was to compare the therapeutic effects of HPPTUS with those of the conventional ultrasound technique in elderly patients with latent MTrPs on the upper trapezius muscles of at least 1 side.


METHODS
Forty-one participants received 8 treatment sessions with conventional ultrasound (n=19) or with the HPPTUS technique (n=22) for 4 consecutive weeks. Outcome variables included visual analog scale (VAS) scores, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and range of motion (ROM). The data were analyzed using repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) measurements.


RESULTS
The VAS scores recorded 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after HPPTUS were significantly lower than the baseline scores in both groups. The ROM (after 3 and 4 weeks) and PPT (after 4 weeks) values also significantly increased from their baseline values in both groups. On comparing the techniques, there were no significant differences in the VAS (p=0.296), PPT (p=0.768), and ROM (p=0.822) values, although both techniques showed therapeutic effects for 4 weeks (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that the HPPTUS technique in same manner as treatment of active MTrPs is not superior to the conventional ultrasound technique in the treatment of the elderly patients with the latent MTrPs.
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health~Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Yushin
Y
Kim
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health~Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Hong-Ryeol
HR
Yang
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health~Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Jae-Woo
JW
Lee
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health~Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Bum-Chul
BC
Yoon
D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods*
Aged; high-power pain threshold; interventional ultrasound; myofascial pain syndromes; trigger points