UNASSIGNED: This randomised clinical trial included 90 patients divided into three groups. Group 1 was treated with dry needling of TrPs, group 2 with intramuscular electrical stimulation of TrPs, and group 3 with electroacupuncture of motor points and/or the spinal accessory nerve. Each group received seven treatment sessions. The outcomes were the pain score measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) and quality of life evaluated by the 12-item short form (SF-12) health questionnaire. We compared the pain outcome over serial time points using growth curve analysis methods.
UNASSIGNED: Participants in the three groups experienced significant improvements in pain scores over time. The average pain level of participants in group 3 across the repeated assessments was 0.98 units lower than in group 1 (mean difference (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.74-0.23)), p = 0.012). There were no significant differences in pain scores between participants in groups 1 and 2, and there were no significant differences in quality of life across the three groups at the end of the treatment period.
UNASSIGNED: Our results provide evidence that electrical stimulation of motor points and/or of the spinal accessory nerve may be superior in terms of pain relief (but not quality of life) to dry needling and possibly electrical stimulation of trigger points for the management of MPS involving the trapezius.
UNASSIGNED: TRIAL-RBR-43R7RF (Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry).
■这项随机临床试验包括90名患者,分为三组。第1组用TrP干针刺治疗,第2组肌肉电刺激TrP,第3组电针运动点和/或脊髓副神经。每组接受7次治疗。结果是通过视觉模拟评分(VAS)测量的疼痛评分和通过12项简短形式(SF-12)健康问卷评估的生活质量。我们使用生长曲线分析方法比较了连续时间点的疼痛结果。
■三组的参与者随着时间的推移,疼痛评分显着改善。在重复评估中,第3组参与者的平均疼痛水平比第1组低0.98个单位(平均差异(95%置信区间(CI)=1.74-0.23)),p=0.012)。第1组和第2组的参与者之间的疼痛评分没有显着差异,在治疗期结束时,三组的生活质量也没有显着差异。
■我们的结果提供了证据,证明电刺激运动点和/或脊髓副神经在缓解疼痛(但不是生活质量)方面可能优于干针和可能的电刺激触发点,以管理涉及斜方肌的MPS。
■TRIAL-RBR-43R7RF(巴西临床试验注册中心)。