Effect of ischemic pressure using a Backnobber II device on discomfort associated with myofascial trigger points

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2011 Jul;15(3):319-25. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2010.06.007. Epub 2010 Jul 22.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Data Collection
  • Facial Neuralgia / diagnosis*
  • Facial Neuralgia / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ischemia / diagnosis*
  • Ischemia / pathology
  • Male
  • Pain, Referred / diagnosis*
  • Pain, Referred / pathology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult