Clinical Research Directory

Efficacy of Activator Trigger Point and Shock Wave Therapy on Pain and Function in Active Upper Trapezius Trigger Points: A Randomized Controlled Study

This study will be conducted as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of trigger point activator and extracorporeal shock wave therapy in patients with active myofascial trigger points in the upper fibers of the trapezius muscle. Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be recruited and informed consent will be obtained prior to participation. The subjects will then be randomly allocated into two equal groups. Group A: will receive treatment using the trigger point activator applied to the active trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle. Group B: will receive extracorporeal shock wave therapy applied to the same region. The treatment will be applied according to standardized therapeutic parameters for a predetermined number of sessions over the study period. Outcome measures will be assessed before the beginning of the treatment program and after completion of the intervention period. Pain intensity and pressure pain threshold will be assessed using an algometer. Functional disability related to the neck will be evaluated using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). All collected data will be recorded and statistically analyzed to determine the effectiveness of both treatment modalities in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes.

Evaluation of the Impact of Tractions vs. Placebo Tractions in Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy

Cervical radiculopathy is a common disease related to compression of the nerve roots of the spine (prevalence: 3.5/1000). Dysfunction and pain are the main repercussions and can lead to time off work and high costs in terms of treatment. Second-line surgical treatments appear to be less effective and present risks of side effects. In the first instance, treatments are conservative and include medication but above all physiotherapy with manual therapy, muscle exercises and cervical traction. These cervical tractions performed by a physiotherapist require little equipment and are inexpensive compared with the surgical alternative. They involve stretching the cervical spine and soft tissues to open the intervertebral foramen and mobilise the facet joints. Several authors have written summaries of their interest. Thoomes reports two studies and describes an absence of effect. In a meta-analysis, Romeo et al. added three more recent studies to the previous review and concluded that traction is effective, highlighting an "effect-dose" relationship. These recent results therefore seem to reverse the recommendations made barely two years later. Nevertheless, almost all the studies compared "manual therapy + exercises" with "manual therapy + exercises + cervical traction". Only Young et al. tested "manual therapy + exercises + cervical traction at an effective weight" compared to "manual therapy + exercises + cervical traction placebo at an ineffective weight". The study did not reveal any difference between the groups. However, several limitations appear in this study when comparing the protocol to studies that have shown efficacy. The main limitation is the low intensity (i.e. protocol with fewer sessions and longer duration). These clinical limitations may explain the lack of evidence of a positive outcome. Following on from a preliminary study evaluating an intensive cervical traction protocol over five days, and in order to discern the effect specific to the treatment (specific effect) and the effect independent of the nature of the treatment (contextual effect), the investigators wish to evaluate the impact of this intensive protocol by comparing it with placebo traction. In current practice, treatment varies between establishments. The paucity of studies on cervical traction in radiculopathy has resulted in routine use being guided by habit rather than evidence. It remains a clinical question which raises a major issue requiring a robust experimental design. Ultimately, this study follows on from a preliminary study and is part of a comprehensive research project aimed at proposing new recommendations for the use of traction in patients suffering from cervical radiculopathy. The investigators are investigating the impact of an intensive traction vs. placebo traction protocol in patients with cervical radiculopathy.