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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04390438

Efficacy of High and Low Intensity Percutaneous Electrolysis for the Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Muscle pain is frequently attributed to myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) in which myofascial trigger points (MTrP) are a characteristic feature. Dry needling is a frequent clinical practice to manage MPS but few evidence is published about percutaneous electrolysis effects for the treatment of MPS.

This is a randomized clinical trial with 3 parallel groups: 1) High intensity-short time percutaneous electrolysis; 2) Low intensity-long time percutaneous electrolysis; 3) dry needling control group.

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Key information

Conditions

Knee Pain Chronic Joint Diseases Muscle Pain Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal Pain Myalgia Myofascial Pain Syndromes Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Neuromuscular Diseases Pain Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Camilo Jose Cela University

Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, 28692, Spain

About this study

The current study aimed to evaluate changes in rectus femurs active trigger points and patellar tendon pain pressure thresholds and subjective anterior knee pain perception after application of two percutaneous electrolysis methods using a same charge (high intensity and low intensity) compared to a dry needling group in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS)

Fifteen patients diagnosed with unilateral PFPS were divided in two experimental groups (high intensity percutaneous electrolysis and low intensity percutaneous electrolysis) and one active control group (dry needling. The duration of the study was 7 days with only one intervention. Pain pressure thresholds were assessed using an algometer before the intervention, immediately after the intervention and after 7 days and a Visual Analogue Scale was used before the treatment and after 7 days to rate the subjective anterior knee pain perception. Also a VAS was used to rate the pain perception during the intervention

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Athletes with knee pain
  • Presence of at least one active Trigger point

Exclusion criteria

  • Farmacologic treatment
  • Surgery or traumas
  • Skin alterations or infections
  • Prior 6 weeks DN nor PT treatment

Treatment and study plan

Percutaneous electrolysis

Procedure

Needle emplacement with a galvanic electrical current

dry needling

Procedure

Needle emplacement without electrical current nor substance

Primary outcomes

  1. Pressure Pain Threshold (Trigger Point)

    Time frame: 7 days

    Algometry (Wagner analogical algometer)

  2. Pressure Pain Threshold (Patellar Tendon)

    Time frame: 7 days

    Algometry (Wagner analogical algometer)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Subjective pain perception

    Time frame: 7 days

    Visual Analogue Scale

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universidad Francisco de Vitoria

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Efficacy of High and Low Intensity Percutaneous Electrolysis for the Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Pilot Study

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
May 15, 2020
Registry last updated
May 15, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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