title: Effect of lidocaine patches on upper trapezius EMG activity and pain intensity in patients with myofascial trigger points: A randomized clinical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effects of 5% lidocaine patches and placebo patches on pain intensity and electromyographic (EMG) activity of an active myofascial trigger point (MTrP) of the upper trapezius muscle.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six patients with a MTrP in the upper trapezius muscle were randomly divided into two groups: 20 patients received lidocaine patches (lidocaine group) and 16 patients received placebo patches (placebo group). They used the patches for 12 h each day, for 2 weeks. The patch was applied to the skin over the upper trapezius MTrP. Spontaneous pain, pressure pain thresholds, pain provoked by a 4-kg pressure applied to the MTrP and trapezius EMG activity were measured before and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline spontaneous pain values were similar in both groups and significantly lower in the lidocaine group than the placebo group after treatment. The baseline pressure pain threshold was significantly lower in the lidocaine group, but after treatment it was significantly higher in this group. Baseline and final values of the pain provoked by a 4-kg pressure showed no significant difference between the groups. Baseline EMG activity at rest and during swallowing of saliva was significantly higher in the lidocaine group, but no significant difference was observed after treatment. Baseline EMG activity during maximum voluntary clenching was similar in both groups, but significantly higher in the lidocaine group after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These clinical and EMG results support the use of 5% lidocaine patches for treating patients with MTrP of the upper trapezius muscle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Firmani
authors.forename: Rodolfo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Miralles
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Casassus
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D004576:Electromyography / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects; D010919:Placebos; D011312:Pressure; D012463:Saliva / Q000502:physiology; D064171:Superficial Back Muscles / Q000187:drug effects*; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D061028:Trigger Points / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D010919:Placebos; D008012:Lidocaine
keywords: 5% lidocaine patches; algometry; electromyography; myofascial pain; trigger point