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The efficacy of thread embedding acupuncture on pain score, neck disability index, and pressure pain threshold for myofascial pain therapy in the upper trapezius muscle.

Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
January 1, 1970
Emilia Puspitasari Winarno et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine the effect of thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) on pain score, neck disability index (NDI), and pressure pain threshold (PPT) for myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle.

Results Summary

Both TEA and sham TEA groups showed significant reductions in pain intensity and disability, as well as increased PPT at all follow-up points. TEA demonstrated superior effectiveness in improving pain intensity, NDI scores, and PPT at 4 and 8 weeks post-therapy compared to sham TEA.

Population

Working population with myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle.

Effective Dosage

Once using CARA brand monofilament polydioxanone thread 29Gx50 mm.

Duration

Follow-up at 3 days, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks post-therapy.

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) therapy
decrease
pain intensity
patients with myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle
-
significantly reduced
#1
Thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) therapy
decrease
disability
patients with myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle
-
significantly reduced
#2
Thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) therapy
increase
pressure pain threshold (PPT)
patients with myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle
-
increased
#3
Thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) therapy
decrease
pain intensity
patients with myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle
-
had better effectiveness in improving
#4
Thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) therapy
decrease
NDI scores
patients with myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle
-
had better effectiveness in improving
#5
Thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) therapy
increase
PPT
patients with myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle
-
had better effectiveness in improving
#6
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Myofascial pain characterized by myofascial trigger point (MTrP) is a common cause of musculoskeletal pain and the main cause of neck and shoulder pain in the working population. Thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) is a new modality that can provide long-term stimulation to prolong the same therapeutic effect as conventional acupuncture. This study aimed to determine the effect of TEA therapy on pain score, neck disability index (NDI), and pressure pain threshold (PPT) for myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle. METHODS: The research design in this study was a double-blind, randomized clinical trial. This study with 44 research subjects was divided into TEA group (n=22) and sham TEA group (n=22). Both groups will receive TEA therapy once using CARA brand monofilament polydioxanone thread 29Gx50 mm or sham TEA (thread removed) at one trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle which will be followed-up on 3 days, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks post-therapy. RESULTS: Both groups experienced significantly reduced pain intensity and disability, also increased PPT at 3 days, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks post-therapy (p<0.001). TEA therapy had better effectiveness in improving pain intensity at 4 weeks (p=0.007) and 8 weeks post-therapy (p=0.004), NDI scores at 8 weeks post-therapy (p=0.004), and PPT at 4 weeks (p=0.04) and 8 weeks post-therapy (p=0.002) compared to sham TEA. CONCLUSIONS: TEA reduced pain intensity and disability, and increased PPT for patients with myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansAcupuncture TherapyDouble-Blind MethodMyofascial Pain SyndromesAdultSuperficial Back MusclesMaleFemaleNeck PainPain ThresholdPain MeasurementYoung AdultTrigger PointsMiddle AgedTreatment Outcome
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality80/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score1.33
Normalized Score0.70
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