Efficacy of microcurrent therapy in infants with congenital muscular torticollis involving the entire sternocleidomastoid muscle: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of a combination of therapeutic exercise and ultrasound with or without additional microcurrent therapy in infants with congenital muscular torticollis involving the entire sternocleidomastoid muscle.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.


METHODS
An outpatient rehabilitation clinic in a tertiary university hospital.


METHODS
Infants (n = 20) with congenital muscular torticollis involving the entire sternocleidomastoid muscle.


METHODS
Group 1 comprised 10 infants who received therapeutic exercise with ultrasound alone and Group 2 comprised 10 infants who received the same treatment with microcurrent therapy.


METHODS
Passive cervical rotational range of motion was measured at before treatment and one, two, three, and six months after initial treatment. Thickness, cross-sectional area, and red pixel intensity on colour histograms, which were all assessed before treatment and at three months after initial treatment. Additionally, the duration of treatment was measured.


RESULTS
The mean passive cervical rotational range of motion measured at three months posttreatment was significantly greater in Group 2 (101.1°) than that in Group 1 (86.4°), and the thickness, cross-sectional area, and red pixel intensity of the affected sternocleidomastoid muscle were all less in Group 2 (7.8 mm, 100.3 mm(2), and 126.1, respectively) than those in Group 1 (9.6 mm, 121.5 mm2, and 140.5, respectively). The mean duration of treatment was significantly shorter in Group 2 (2.6 months) than in Group 1 (6.3 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Microcurrent therapy may increase the efficacy of therapeutic exercise with ultrasound for the treatment of congenital muscular torticollis involving the entire sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea coolkwon@cu.ac.kr.
Dong Rak
DR
Kwon
Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Gi Young
GY
Park
D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D014103:Torticollis / Q000151:congenital* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
Congenital muscular torticollis; microcurrent; sonoelastography; therapeutic exercise; ultrasound