Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT03708107

Percutaneous Microelectrolysis (MEP) Versus Ischemic Compression in Miofascial Trigger Points

The Percutaneous Microelectrolysis ® (MEP®) is a technique that employs a galvanic current up to 990 uA, which is applied percutaneously with an acupuncture needle connected to the cathode. Although it is used in tendinopathies, trigger points and muscle injuries, among other conditions, its bases are mostly empirical and there is lack of evidence.

Ischemic compression is a manual therapy that is usually applied in muscle pain.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) usually presents painful myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). One methodology used to quantify the pain in MPS is the algometry, which measures the pressure pain threshold (PPT).

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of MEP® with ischemic compression on MTrPs with algometry.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Myofascial Trigger Point Pain Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Myofascial Pain Syndromes

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Oscar Ronzio

Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aire, Buenos Aires F.D., 1428, Argentina

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy volunteers
  • Between 18 to 30 years old.
  • Who referred MTrP in the upper trapezious.
  • PPT equal or less than 3 KgF/cm2

Exclusion criteria

  • Being pregnant.
  • Taking analgesic medication at least 24 hours before the intervention.
  • Being in physical therapy treatment.
  • Needle phobia.

Treatment and study plan

MEP

Device

MEP® will be applied with an acupuncture needle (0,30 x 25 mm). The needle will be introduced perpendicularly to the MTrP with 100 uA and then increased up to 600 uA. The current will be paused if the patient feels a burning sensation, pain or oppression, waiting up to the patient feels no discomfort. The procedure will be repeated as many times is necessary until the patient do not feel any discomfort for more than 1 minute.

Other names: Percutaneous microelectrolysis, Percutaneous galvanic microcurrent

Ischemic compression

Other

Ischemic compression will be applied perpendicularly to the MTrP, increasing gradually the pression until the patient refers the maximum tolerable pain. This pressure will be applied for 1 minute.

Primary outcomes

  1. Preasure Pain Threshold (PPT)

    Time frame: 24 hours

    Algometry is used to measure the Preasure Pain Threshold (PPT). PPT is defined as the minimum force applied which induces pain. It was applied in the Miofascial Trigger points.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Instituto Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud Fundación H.A. Barceló

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Short Term Effects in Pressure-pain Threshold of Percutaneous Galvanic Microcurrent Versus Ischemic Compression in the Trapezius Trigger Points

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
Oct 17, 2018
Registry last updated
Dec 23, 2019

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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.