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Chiropractic & Manual Therapies

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Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

The immediate effect of multiple mechanical impulses on electromyography and pressure pain threshold of lumbar latent trigger points: an experimental study

Authors: Bert Ameloot, Jeff Bagust

Published in: Chiropractic & Manual Therapies | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Background

Myofascial pain is a common syndrome, which has not been studied extensively in the low back. Despite a variety of manual and instrument assisted interventions available, little work has targeted the possible effects of fast mechanical impulses on myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) on its sensitivity and electrical activity. The purpose of this experimental study was to quantify the immediate effect of one session of mechanical impulses to lumbar latent MTrPs and to normal muscle tissue with pressure pain threshold (PPT) and surface electromyography (sEMG) as outcome measures.

Methods

During the autumn of 2009, in 41 asymptomatic subjects between 17-40 years of age the lumbar musculature was searched for a latent MTrP by a trained clinician. Using 3 disposable pre-gelled electrodes bilaterally, sEMG was recorded continuously from muscle containing either latent or no MTrP. Both the trigger point group and control group received the intervention and were blinded to group allocation. The immediate effects of mechanical impulses were assessed by sEMG and PPT before and after intervention using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test, Mann–Whitney U test and paired t-tests.

Results

The PPT increased significantly across both groups (p < 0.01) after intervention. The proportionate increase (14.6 %) was comparable in both MTrP and control groups. The electrical activity on the MTrP side was not significantly higher in the MTrP group compared to the contralateral side. The decrease of resting electrical activity after intervention was significant in the MTrP group on the side of the latent MTrP (P = 0.001) as well as the contralateral side (p=0.022), and not significant in the control group on either side (p=0.33 and p=0.93).

Conclusion

In this study, the immediate effect of one session of mechanical impulses was associated with a significant increase in PPT for both groups and a significant decrease in the resting electrical activity of the lumbar muscles only in the MTrP group. It is unknown if these effects have clinical significance.

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Title: The immediate effect of multiple mechanical impulses on electromyography and pressure pain threshold of lumbar latent trigger points: an experimental study
Authors: Bert Ameloot
Jeff Bagust
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Chiropractic & Manual Therapies / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 2045-709X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-016-0101-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The immediate effect of multiple mechanical impulses on electromyography and pressure pain threshold of lumbar latent trigger points: an experimental study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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