Article

The aim of this study was to compare topical 5% lidocaine patch with
placebo patch in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome of the upper
trapezius. DESIGN: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled study, 60 participants were randomly assigned, placing 31
subjects in the 5% lidocaine patch group and 29 subjects in the placebo patch
group. We used the Verbal Rating Scale (VRS), the Pressure Pain Threshold, the
ranges of motion of the neck, and the Neck Disability Index to evaluate the
subjective pain intensity, objective pain intensity, ranges of motion, and
disability of the neck, respectively. Outcome measures were performed before (day
0) the treatment course, 12 hrs after removal of the final patch on the seventh
day (day 7), and 1 wk (day 14) and 3 wks (day 28) after the completion of
treatment course. RESULTS: The characteristics of the participants did not differ
at baseline. Pain intensity assessed by the VRS decreased at day 7 in both the
lidocaine patch and placebo patch groups. There was no significant difference
between the two groups in the VRS, the Pressure Pain Threshold, the ranges of
motion, and the Neck Disability Index. At day 14, the experimental group
continued to improve in the VRS (1.06), but the pain of the placebo group
aggravated (VRS, 1.5). The difference is significant (P = 0.03). In addition, the
Neck Disability Index in the lidocaine patch group decreased significantly as
compared to that in the placebo group. The pain-relieving effect of the lidocaine
patch attenuated, and it was not significantly different between the two groups
at day 28 in the VRS and the Neck Disability Index. Neither the Pressure Pain
Threshold nor the ranges of motion were significantly different through the
periods of this study. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the 5% lidocaine patch is
probably superior to the placebo patch in relieving pain and in reducing
associated neck disability for a period of longer than 1 wk for treating patients
with myofascial pain syndrome of the upper trapezius.

Langue : ANGLAIS