The effects of pressure release, phonophoresis of hydrocortisone, and ultrasound on upper trapezius latent myofascial trigger point.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of pressure release (PR), phonophoresis of hydrocortisone (PhH) 1%, and ultrasonic therapy (UT) in patients with an upper trapezius latent myofascial trigger point (MTP).

DESIGN: Repeated-measure design.

SETTING: A pain control medical clinic.

PARTICIPANTS: Subjects (N=60; mean±SD age, 21.78±1.76y) with a diagnosis of upper trapezius MTP participated in this study. Subjects were randomly divided into 4 groups: PR, PhH, UT, and control (15 in each group). All patients had a latent MTP in the upper trapezius muscle.

INTERVENTIONS: PR, PhH, UT.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjective pain intensity, pain pressure threshold (PPT), and active cervical lateral flexion range of motion were assessed in 6 sessions.

RESULTS: All 3 treatment groups showed decreases in pain and PPT and an increase in cervical lateral flexion range of motion (P<.001) compared with the control group. Both PhH and PR techniques showed more significant therapeutic effects than UT (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that all 3 treatments used in this study were effective for treating MTP. According to this study, PhH is suggested as a new method effective for the treatment of MTP.