The Effectiveness of Simultaneous Thermotherapy with Ultrasound and Electrotherapy with Combined AC and DC Current on the Immediate Pain Relief of Myofascial Trigger Points

Objectives: This study is designed to investigate the immediate effectiveness of combining ultrasound [deep heat] therapy and modified electrotherapy for the treatment of myofascial trigger points [TrPs] of upper trapezius [UT] muscle.Methods: Twenty-six patients [12 males and 14 females, average age 42.1 ± 16.4 years] were studied. All patients had myofascial TrPs in one or two sides of the UT muscles. Fifty skeletal muscles were studied. The involved UT muscles were treated with different methods according to random assignment: Group A muscles were given placebo treatment [Control group]; Group B muscles were treated with only ultrasound [USD]; Group C muscles were given only electrotherapy [ET]; and Group D muscles were given a combination of ultrasound therapy and electrotherapy [USD + ET]. The effectiveness of treatment was assessed by conducting three measurements on each patient before and immediately after treatment: subjective pain intensity [PI], pain threshold [PT], and range of motion [ROM] of...