Comparison of Three Different Myofascial Trigger Point Treatments in Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Conventional Therapy: All three groups will receive a conventional physiotherapy program (TENS, therapeutic ultrasound, hot pack) 5 times a week for 4 weeks and the same exercise program 3 days a week for 4 weeks.

Ischemic Compression Group: The ischemic compression group will receive ischemic compression therapy for the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, splenius capitis, and lower trapezius muscles.

Strain-Counter Strain: The strain counterstrain technique will be applied to the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, splenius capitis, and lower trapezius muscles.

Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique (INIT): This group will be subjected to INIT for the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, splenius capitis, and lower trapezius muscles, 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks (12 sessions in total).

Study summary

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of ischaemic compression (IC), positional relaxation (Strain Counterstrain \[SCS\]), and integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique (INIT) applications on pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, range of motion, joint position sense, disability, kinesiophobia, quality of life and patient satisfaction in addition to conventional treatment for chronic non-specific neck pain.

It is planned to include 51 patients in the study. The included patients will be divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (HR Group), Group 2 (SCS Group) and Group 3 (INIT Group). All three groups will receive a conventional physiotherapy programme 5 times a week for 4 weeks and the same exercise programme 3 days a week for 4 weeks.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Visual Analogue Scale — 4 weeks
  The intensity of pain felt in the neck area at rest, during activity (cervical flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion, right and left rotation) and at night will be evaluated numerically using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Individuals will be told that the number '0' on a 10 cm horizontal line indicates 'no pain' and the number '10' indicates 'unbearable pain'. The place marked by the individual will be determined as pain intensity in cm.
• Algometer — 4 weeks
  An Algometer (Baseline Push-Pull Force Gauge®, Fabrication Enterprises, Inc.) will be used to objectively measure pain threshold and tolerance. Before measuring with the algometer, a pressure will be applied to the pulp of the thumb of the hand, which is the control point. Then, a force will be applied to the same point to cause pain so that the subject can distinguish between the sensation of pressure and the sensation of pain. Then, at the C2 spine level, the pressure will be applied vertically to the muscle tissue from the midpoint of the right-left paraspinal muscles and the right-left upper trapezius muscles, increasing the pressure by 1kg/cm2 every three seconds until the subject feels pain. The subject will be told to report when he/she feels pain while applying force with the device (kg/ cm²). This process will be repeated three times and the average value will be calculated.
• Cervical Joint Position Sense — 4 weeks
  Cervical joint position sense will be evaluated by head repositioning test using CROM III-Cervical Range of Motion (Performance Attainment Associates, Lindstrom, MN) device. The target position will be 25° flexion, extension, right-left lateral flexion, right-left rotation respectively. The subject will sit on a chair with a straight back, knees flexed 90 degrees and feet flat on the floor. The subject will be asked to close his/her eyes. Then, the subject's neck will be passively flexed 25° in a slow rhythm, and the position will be maintained for 5 seconds. The subject will be asked to remember this position. Afterwards, the subject's neck will be passively moved to the neutral position in a slow rhythm. The subject will then be instructed to actively move his/her neck and reposition himself/herself in the target position. The subject will signal by saying 'yes' when repositioned to the target position. The deviation in the repositioning test result will be evaluated as joint positi
• Cervical Range of Motion — 4 weeks
  Cervical region flexion-extension, right-left lateral flexion and right-left rotation range of motion will be evaluated using the CROM III-Cervical Range of Motion (Performance Attainment Associates, Lindstrom, MN) device. The device has undergone a reliability study and has been reported as a clinically reliable tool for assessing normal range of motion in the cervical region. The subject will be positioned in an upright sitting position on a chair with back support, with the middle and lower back in contact with the chair, feet on the floor and arms comfortably supported on both sides of the chair. The subject will be asked to look straight ahead. After checking the alignment of the nose, mouth, chin and earlobe and making sure that the cervical region is in the anatomical position, the subject will be commanded to start the movement. Each evaluation will be repeated three times and the average value will be recorded.
• Neck Disability Scale — 4 weeks
  It will be evaluated with the Neck Disability Scale. The Neck Disability Scale is based on the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index and consists of 10 items. It includes pain sensitivity, personal care, weight lifting, reading, headaches, concentration, work/study, driving, sleep and social activities. Each question has 6 answer options that measure the severity of pain or limitation. Scoring is done between 0-5. The total score is between 0-50. According to the total score, 0-4 points are classified as no limitation; 5-14 as mild limitation; 15-24 as moderate limitation; 25-34 as severe limitation; 34 and above as completely limited. Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted.
• Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale — 4 weeks
  Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TKS) will be used. TQS is a scale developed to measure the fear of movement/reinjury. It consists of a total of 17 questions. It includes injury/reinjury and fear-avoidance parameters in work-related activities. It consists of 17 questions in total. Total score varies between 17-68. High scores indicate a high level of kinesiophobia. Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted.
• Short Form-12/ SF-12 — 4 weeks
  Short Form-12 (SF-12) will be used to assess quality of life. SF-12 has 2 total measurements including physical (PCS-12) and mental (MCS-12) components, and high scores indicate good health status. This assessment is a shortened version of SF-36. Turkish validity and reliability studies were conducted.
• Global Change Scale — 4 weeks
  It will be evaluated using the Global Change Scale (GTS). In order to evaluate the perceived effect of the treatment applied to the patients, it is used to determine the amount of change considering the current health status after the treatment.

Trial sites (1)

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