To Determine the Effectiveness of Combination Therapy Local Ischemic Compression and Stretching Exercises Versus Ultrasound and Stretching Exercises in Active Myofascial Trigger Points at Upper Trapezius.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of local ischemic compression plus stretching exercises versus ultrasound plus stretching exercises in reducing pain and improving function in patients with active MTrPs in the upper trapezius.

Methods: After the ethical approval from the institutional review board, this comparative study was conducted at physiotherapy OPD  Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre Karachi, from 01 January 2015 to 30 jun 2015. Through non-probability consecutive sampling, 90 patients were recruited and divided in two groups.  The (Group 1) participants received treatment with local ischemic compression technique consist of deep pressure with thumb to the upper trapezius Trigger Point for 30 seconds to 1 minute till the trigger point was no longer tender along with stretching exercises for the trapezius and hold each stretch for 30 to 60 seconds, while the (Group 2) was treated with ultrasound for 8 minutes that was 4 minutes on each muscle with intensity of 1.5w/cm2 with 1 MHZ frequency on continuous mode ,there was similar prescription for stretching exercises for both groups.

Results: The mean pain score was significantly lower in the local ischemic compression group (0.02±0.14) compared to the ultrasound group (4.36±1.22) (p<0.01). Cervical lateral flexion on both the right and left sides was significantly greater in the local ischemic compression group (right side: 44.47±0.69; left side: 44.80±0.70) than in the ultrasound group (right side: 39.29±3.07; left side: 38.69±2.76) (p<0.01 for both sides)

Conclusion: The results of the study that concludes that mean pain score and cervical lateral flexion on right and left side after the treatment in both groups were not same and the patient in group G₁ local ischemic compression and stretching exercise significantly improved as compared to group G₂ Ultrasound and stretching exercise.