Educational Program for Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Optimizing Pain Intensity Assessment in Clinical Trials: How Many Ratings are Needed to Best Balance the Need for Validity and to Minimize Assessment Burden?

Pain intensity is the most commonly used outcome domain in pain clinical trials. To minimize the chances of type II error (ie, concluding that a treatment does not have beneficial effects, when in fact it does), the measure of pain intensity used should be sensitive to changes produced by effective pain treatments. Here we sought to identify the combination of pain intensity ratings that would balance the need for reliability and validity against the need to minimize assessment burden. We conducted secondary analyses using data from a completed 4-arm clinical trial of psychological pain treatments (N = 164 adults). Current, worst, least, and average pain intensity in the past 24 hours were assessed 4 times before and after treatment using 0 to 10 numerical rating scale-11. We created a variety of composite scores using these ratings and evaluated their reliability (Cronbach's alphas) and validity (ie, associations with a gold standard score created by averaging 16 ratings and sensitivity for detecting between-group differences in treatment efficacy). We found that for each measure, reliability increased as the number of ratings used to create the measures increased and that ratings from 3 or more days were needed to have adequately strong associations with the gold standard. Regarding sensitivity, the findings suggest that composite scores made up of ratings from 4 days are needed to maximize the chances of detecting treatment effects, especially with smaller sample sizes. In conclusion, using data from 3 or 4 days of assessment may be the best practice. PERSPECTIVE: Composite scores made up of at least 3 days of pain ratings appear to be needed to maximize reliability and validity while minimizing the assessment burden. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov NCT01800604.

Comparison of the effectiveness between dry needling with and without needle retention in myofascial trigger points in upper trapezius muscle: A randomized comparative trial

BACKGROUND

Dry needling (DN) is commonly used to treat myofascial trigger points (MTrPs).

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect between DN with and without needle retention in the treatment of MTrPs in the upper trapezius muscle.

METHODS

Fifty-four patients who had active MTrPs in the upper trapezius muscle were randomly allocated into the DN group or the DN with retention group. The DN group received DN only, while the DN with retention group received DN with needle retention for 30 minutes. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) were recorded both before and after 7 and 14 days of the treatment sessions.

RESULTS

Both groups showed a significant decrease of the VAS at 7 and 14 days (mean difference DN group -53.0, DN with retention group -57.0, p< 0.001). The PPT was also significantly improved in both groups (mean difference DN group 109.8 kPa, DN with retention group 132.3 kPa, p< 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the VAS or PPT between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Both DN and DN with retention had significant improvement of pain intensity in the treatment of MTrPs in the upper trapezius muscle at 14 days. However, pain reduction was not significantly different between the interventions.

The effect of education on pain and functionality on patients with musculoskeletal dysfunctions of the upper limb: a systematic review

ABSTRACT This study verifies the effects of patient education (PE) in patients with musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb (UL) on pain and/or functionality. The PubMed, Cochrane, PEDro, SciELO, and LILACS databases were independently searched by two reviewers, from the beginning of the publications until April 2021. We included randomized clinical trials with individuals with musculoskeletal disorders of the UL with pain and/or functionality outcomes, who have undergone intervention with PE. Reviewers independently determined study eligibility, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality using the PEDro scale. We included eight studies, totaling 603 participants. Compared to the controlled group, the PE intervention showed better results in three studies for pain relief and/or functionality improvement. Apparently, PE is more effective when combined with exercise.

O efeito da educação na dor e funcionalidade em pacientes com disfunções musculoesqueléticas do membro superior: uma revisão sistemática

RESUMO Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar os efeitos da educação ao paciente (EP) em pacientes com disfunções musculoesqueléticas do membro superior (MS) para os desfechos de dor e/ou funcionalidade. Dois revisores realizaram independentemente buscas nas bases de dados PubMed, Cochrane, PEDro, SciELO e LILACS, considerando o período desde o início das publicações nessas bases até abril de 2021. Foram incluídos ensaios clínicos randomizados com seres humanos com disfunções musculoesqueléticas no MS; que tenham realizado intervenção com EP; e com desfechos de dor e/ou funcionalidade. Os revisores, separadamente, determinaram a elegibilidade dos estudos, extraíram dados e avaliaram a qualidade metodológica por meio da escala PEDro. Oito estudos foram incluídos nesta revisão, totalizando 603 participantes. A EP teve resultados superiores em três dos estudos no alívio da dor e/ou melhora da função em relação ao grupo comparativo. Sugere-se que a EP é mais eficaz quando associada a exercícios.

Criteria Used for the Diagnosis of Myofascial Trigger Points in Clinical Trials on Physical Therapy: Updated Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to conduct an updated systematic review of diagnostic criteria for myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) used in clinical trials of physical therapy interventions from 2007 to 2019.

METHODS

MEDLINE and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) were searched using the following MeSH keywords: "trigger points," "trigger point," "myofascial trigger point," "myofascial trigger points," "myofascial pain," and "myofascial pain syndrome." The MeSH keywords were combined by using Boolean operators "OR"/"AND." All physiotherapy clinical trials including patients with musculoskeletal conditions characterized by at least 1 active MTrP or latent MTrP in any body area were selected. We pooled data from an individual criterion and criteria combinations used to diagnose MTrPs. The protocol was developed in accordance with the PRISMA-P guidelines.

RESULTS

Of 478 possibly relevant publications, 198 met the inclusion criteria. Of these 198 studies, 129 studies (65.1%) stated specifically the diagnostic criteria used for MTrPs in the main text, 56 studies (28.3%) failed to report any method whereby MTrP was diagnosed, and 13 studies (6.6%) adopted expert-based definitions for MTrPs without specification. Of 129 studies, the 6 criteria applied most commonly were: "spot tenderness" (n=125, 96.9%), "referred pain" (95, 73.6%), "local twitch response" (63, 48.8%), pain recognition (59, 45.7%), limited range of motion" (29, 22.5%), and "jump sign" (10, 7.8%). Twenty-three combinations of diagnostic criteria were identified. The most frequently used combination was "spot tenderness," "referred pain," and "local twitch response" (n=28 studies, 22%).

CONCLUSIONS

A number of the included studies failed in properly reporting the MTrP diagnostic criteria. Moreover, high variability in the use of MTrP diagnostic was also observed. Spot tenderness, referred pain, and local twitch response were the 3 most popular criteria (and the most frequently used combination). A lack of transparency in the reporting of MTrP diagnostic criteria is present in the literature.

REGISTRY

This systematic review was registered under the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, PROSPERO number: CRD42018087420.

The impact of the use of video-based educational interventions on patient outcomes in hospital settings: A scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the literature on the impact of video-based educational interventions on patient outcomes in inpatient settings as compared to standard education techniques.

METHODS

This review followed a scoping review methodology. English language articles were searched in Pubmed, Medline, Cochrane, and CINAHL databases. Inclusion criteria were: use of video-based educational interventions, and inpatient hospital settings. Abstracts were reviewed and selected according to predetermined criteria, followed by full-text scrutiny.

RESULTS

Sixty-two empirical studies were identified, with 38 (61%) reporting a significant positive effect of video-based educational interventions on patient outcomes, compared to control groups (i.e., standard education). Three different types of video-based educational intervention formats were identified: animated presentations, professionals in practice, and patient narratives. Outcome types included: knowledge-based, clinical, emotional, and behavioral, with knowledge-based most prevalent.

CONCLUSION

Video-based educational interventions are common in the hospital setting. These interventions are effective at improving short-term health literacy goals, but their impact on behavior or lifestyle modifications is unclear. Their effectiveness also depends on presentation format, timing, and the patient's emotional well-being.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Video-based educational delivery is effective for improving short-term health literacy, however a combination of approaches delivered over an extended period of time may support improving longer-term health outcomes.

A Multimodal Approach for Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Prospective Study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to analyze pain intensity in patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) following a multimodal rehabilitation protocol.

METHODS

A prospective study was carried out following the Template for Intervention Description and Replication criteria. Patients were recruited from the rehabilitation unit of a university hospital in Spain between 2009 and 2013. Patients were included if they had a medical diagnosis of MPS in any of the following regions: cervicobrachial (n = 102), lumbosacral (n = 30), elbow (n = 14), ankle and foot (n = 10), and temporomandibular jaw (n = 1). The multimodal rehabilitation protocol included myofascial trigger point dry needling, spray and stretching, Kinesio taping, eccentric exercise, and patient education. The protocol was applied for 4 weeks (5 sessions) for the active and/or latent myofascial trigger points in each body region. Pain intensity was measured by using the visual analog scale (VAS) immediately before beginning of the study and 1 week after completion of the protocol.

RESULTS

The study sample comprised 150 patients (mean ± standard deviation age, 51.5 ± 1.19 years). Statistically significant differences were obtained for reduction in pain intensity (4 ± 2.03; P = .002). Clinically relevant reductions (VAS ≥30 mm; P < .001) were obtained in 78.7% of the interventions. Four treatment sessions reduced the VAS score by 10 mm in 83.55% of the sample. There were no statistically significant differences (P = .064) for reduction in pain intensity in the different body regions.

CONCLUSIONS

A multimodal rehabilitation protocol showed clinically relevant differences in the reduction in pain intensity in different body regions in patients with MPS.

Myofascial pain syndrome treatments

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a regional pain disorder caused by taut bands of muscle fibers in skeletal muscles called myofascial trigger points. MPS is a common disorder, often diagnosed and treated by physiatrists. Treatment strategies for MPS include exercises, patient education, and trigger point injection. Pharmacologic interventions are also common, and a variety of analgesics, antiinflammatories, antidepressants, and other medications are used in clinical practice. This review explores the various treatment options for MPS, including those therapies that target myofascial trigger points and common secondary symptoms.

Effects of far-infrared irradiation on myofascial neck pain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to determine the relative efficacy of irradiation using a device containing a far-infrared emitting ceramic powder (cFIR) for the management of chronic myofascial neck pain compared with a control treatment.

DESIGN

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study.

PARTICIPANTS

The study comprised 48 patients with chronic, myofascial neck pain.

INTERVENTION

Patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group or the control (sham-treatment) group. The patients in the experimental group wore a cFIR neck device for 1 week, and the control group wore an inert neck device for 1 week.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT

Quantitative measurements based on a visual analogue scale (VAS) scoring of pain, a sleep quality assessment, pressure-pain threshold (PPT) testing, muscle tone and compliance analysis, and skin temperature analysis were obtained.

RESULTS

Both the experimental and control groups demonstrated significant improvement in pain scores. However, no statistically significant difference in the pain scores was observed between the experimental and control groups. Significant decreases in muscle stiffness in the upper regions of the trapezius muscles were reported in the experimental group after 1 week of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term treatment using the cFIR neck device partly reduced muscle stiffness. Although the differences in the VAS and PPT scores for the experimental and control groups were not statistically significant, the improvement in muscle stiffness in the experimental group warrants further investigation of the long-term effects of cFIR treatment for pain management.

Comparisons of prediction models of myofascial pain control after dry needling: a prospective study

Background. This study purposed to validate the use of artificial neural network (ANN) models for predicting myofascial pain control after dry needling and to compare the predictive capability of ANNs with that of support vector machine (SVM) and multiple linear regression (MLR). Methods. Totally 400 patients who have received dry needling treatments completed the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) at baseline and at 1 year postoperatively. Results. Compared to the MLR and SVM models, the ANN model generally had smaller mean square error (MSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) values in the training dataset and testing dataset. Most ANN models had MAPE values ranging from 3.4% to 4.6% and most had high prediction accuracy. The global sensitivity analysis also showed that pretreatment BPI score was the best parameter for predicting pain after dry needling. Conclusion. Compared with the MLR and SVM models, the ANN model in this study was more accurate in predicting patient-reported BPI scores and had higher overall performance indices. Further studies of this model may consider the effect of a more detailed database that includes complications and clinical examination findings as well as more detailed outcome data.

Dry needling for myofascial pain: prognostic factors

OBJECTIVES

The study objectives were to evaluate outcomes in patients who have received dry needling treatments and to identify predictors of pain and disability.

DESIGN

The study was a prospective cohort follow-up design.

SETTING

The study was conducted at the Pain Clinic at Pingtung Christian Hospital, Taiwan.

SUBJECTS

Ninety-two (92) patients sick-listed for 3 months or longer for myofascial pain syndrome.

INTERVENTIONS

From February to October 2008, participants were treated at the pain clinic with dry needling of trigger points and muscle stretches of the involved muscles.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Data were collected by self-administered questionnaires to assess changes in pain intensity and pain interference. Data collection was performed at baseline and after 2, 4, and 8 weeks. Sociodemographic variables, symptom characteristics, and baseline outcome measures were analyzed using generalized estimating equation methodology.

RESULTS

The proposed dry-needling protocol reduced pain intensity and pain interference. Long duration of pain symptoms, high pain intensity, poor quality of sleep, and repetitive stress were associated with poor outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Dry needling is an effective treatment for reducing pain and pain interference. However, long pain duration, high pain intensity, poor quality of sleep, and repetitive stress are associated with poor outcomes. Treatment outcome depends not only on the dry needling protocol, but also on disease characteristics and patient demographic profile.