The relative efficacy of high-power pain threshold static ultrasound technique versus interferential currents in the treatment of active myofascial trigger points of upper trapezius

Majlesi (2004), studied the effects of a high-power, pain threshold, static ultrasound (HPPTU) vs. conventional ultrasound in active Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) of the upper trapezius and concluded that HPPTU was more effective than conventional ultrasound in reducing pain but no significant difference was found in the cervical ROM. Both IFT and HPPTU have been reported for significant reduction of pain and increase in cervical ROM.

To investigate the analgesic effects of HPPTU technique and IFT and to compare these techniques in the management of active MTrPs in upper trapezius.

Forty-five subjects with a history and examination results consistent with upper trapezius trigger points (TrPs) participated in the study. The subjects were randomly assigned to HPPTU (Group A), to IFT (Group B) and to Stretching of upper trapezius (Group C). Three subjects were lost to follow-up, leaving 42 subjects for analysis. Follow-up was after 3 weeks. The outcome measures were Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Cervical lateral ROM and NPDI. Analysis was performed using post HOC, One way ANOVA, Paired and Unpaired t tests.

It was revealed that HPPTU reduces pain to a greater extent but IFT increases cervical lateral ROM more than HPPTU.

HPPTU was more effective in reducing pain intensity than IFT but IFT was more beneficial in improving the cervical ROM in patients with upper trapezius TrPs.