Myofascial pain syndrome treated with percutaneous microelectrolysis

Abstract

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is characterized by the presence of myofascial trigger points (MTPs). One option for its treatment is percutaneous
microelectrolysis (MEP). The aim of this study was to analyze the level of pain perception before and after treatment, disability, tolerance and time required for intervention in patients with MPS treated with MEP, with and without current emission, in the trapezius MTPs.

A controlled and randomized clinical investigation, approved by CIEIS (HNC-FCM), was carried out, which included patients treated at the School of Kinesiology and Physiotherapy (UNC), aged 20-60, with a diagnosis of neck pain, without treatment, minimal pain in the neck, 1 month of evolution and PGM in the trapezius. Distributed in groups: MEP (treated with MEP with current emission) (n=45) and control (n=50) (without current emission). Three sessions were performed, one per week in each active PG with MEP equipment with acupuncture needle. Assessment of pain was performed using a visual analogue scale (VAS), while disability was assessed with a neck pain questionnaire (NPQ), and perceived treatment tolerance (burning, pain or oppression) was also asked. The data were analyzed with T Test, ANOVA (Test de Fisher.) and Chi square (Test de Pearson.) as appropriate, establishing a significance level of p=0.05. No conflict of interest.

In the control group, there were no differences in the pain perception score, before and after treatment (p=0.5), but there were differences in the MEP group (p<0.0001). The NPQ score in the third week showed a decrease in pain (p<0.0001) in the MEP group compared to the control group. Treatment tolerance of the MEP group was 93% with burning and 7% with pain; and the control group 100% pain (p<0.0001). The total treatment time per session between each week was significantly lower (p<0.0001) in the MEP group.

The level of post-treatment pain perception, tolerance, disability, and time required for intervention in MPS patients treated with MEP was significantly lower than in the group treated with MEP without current emission.