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Effect of ischemic pressure using a Backnobber II device on discomfort associated with myofascial trigger points
Dawn T Gulick1, Kerstin Palombaro, Jill Black Lattanzi
1Widener University, Institute for Physical Therapy Education, One University Place, 126 Cottee Hall, Chester, PA 19013, USA. dtgulick@widener.edu
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of ischemic pressure on myofascial trigger point (MTrP) sensitivity.
Design:
Randomized, controlled study with the researcher assessing MTrP sensitivity blinded to the intervention.
Participants:
Twenty-eight people with two MTrPs in the upper back musculature.
Intervention:
The sensitivity of two MTrPs in the upper back was assessed with a JTECH algometer. One of the two MTrPs was randomly selected for treatment with a Backnobber II, while the other served as a control.
Outcome Measures:
Pre- and post-test pressure-pain thresholds of the MTrPs
Results:
There was a significant difference between the pre- and post-test sensitivities of the treated and non-treated MTrPs (p=0.04).
Conclusions:
The results of this study confirm that the protocol of six repetitions of 30-s ischemic compression with the Backnobber II rendered every other day for a week was effective in reducing MTrP irritability.
