Article

The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of phonophoresis
with combined therapy on active myofascial trigger points. PARTICIPANTS: One
hundred participants with acute mechanical neck pain and at least one active
myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius were randomly assigned into four
equal groups. INTERVENTION: Groups consisted of diclofenac phonophoresis with
combined therapy, diclofenac phonophoresis, ultrasound (US) with coupling gel,
and sham US and applied for 10 mins over myofascial trigger points. MEASUREMENTS:
Measurements included pressure pain threshold and active cervical lateral
flexion. RESULTS: There were statistically significant improvements in
postintervention pressure pain threshold and range of motion values in treatment
groups (P < 0.0001). As for the sham US, no significant difference was found
between the preintervention and postintervention values (P > 0.05). Bonferroni
correction test revealed that there was a significant difference between all the
four groups in pressure pain threshold values (P < 0.0001); however, it was
nonsignificant (P > 0.05) for range of motion. CONCLUSIONS: Diclofenac
phonophoresis with combined therapy, phonophoresis, and US were all effective in
increasing pressure pain threshold values and range of motion. In addition,
phonophoresis with combined therapy was shown to be superior over phonophoresis,
and phonophoresis was superior over US in terms of reducing pain sensitivity.
However, none of the treatment groups were found to be superior over the other in
increasing range of motion.

Langue : ANGLAIS