Ultrasound Assessment of Myofascial Trigger Points

Launched by UNIVERSIDAD DE ZARAGOZA · Oct 2, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the use of ultrasound to identify and assess myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), which are sensitive spots in muscles that can cause pain. The goal is to see if ultrasound can provide a reliable way to diagnose MTrPs, moving away from the traditional method of manually feeling for them. This could help doctors diagnose muscle pain earlier and more accurately, potentially leading to better treatment options and improved quality of life for patients.

To participate in the study, you need to be between the ages of 18 and 75 and have at least one active trigger point in a specific muscle in your leg. If you don’t have pain but have dormant trigger points, you may also qualify. However, certain health conditions, recent surgeries, or treatments could prevent you from joining. If you participate, you can expect to undergo ultrasound examinations to help researchers develop better ways to identify and understand MTrPs. Your involvement could contribute to improving the care for people with muscle pain in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • For participants with myofascial/musculoskeletal pain, there must be at least one active myofascial trigger point (MTrP) in the gastrocnemius medialis muscle.
• • Participants without pain may or may not have latent MTrPs in the gastrocnemius medialis muscle.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Any systemic medical condition, progressive neurological disease, active rheumatic disease, severe cardiac condition, malignant neoplasm, infection or acute vascular problems, fibromyalgia, myopathy, radiculopathy, myelopathy or other neuromuscular diseases.
• • History of severe trauma or surgery in the last 6 months.
• • Use of pacemakers or electronic implants.
• • Pregnancy status.
• • Obvious cognitive impairment and difficulties in communication, comprehension or cooperation.
• • Physiotherapeutic treatment of a MTrP of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle with an Invasive Physiotherapy procedure (dry needling or percutaneous electrolysis) in the last month.
• • Delayed onset muscle pain ("stiffness") after very intense exertion.
• • Current use of any therapy (especially pharmacological) and/or any other substance that may affect the autonomic nervous system.
• • Commonly accepted contraindications for Invasive Physiotherapy procedures (unbearable fear of needles, epilepsy or convulsions, etc.).