Acute Effects of Tecar Therapy on Skin Temperature, Ankle Mobility and Hyperalgesia in Myofascial Pain Syndrome in Professional Basketball Players: A Pilot Study

Abstract

(1) Background: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a clinical condition characterized by localized non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain caused by myofascial trigger points. Diathermy or Tecar therapy (TT) is a form of noninvasive electro-thermal therapy classified as deep thermotherapy based on the application of electric currents. This technique is characterized by immediate effects, and its being used by high performance athletes. (2) Methods: A total of thirty-two participants were included in the study who were professional basketball players. There was a 15-person Control Group and a 17-person Intervention Group. TT was applied in the Intervention Group, while TT with the device switched off (SHAM) was applied in the Control Group. The effects were evaluated through the Lunge test, infrared thermography, and pressure threshold algometry at baseline, 15, and 30 min after the intervention. (3) Results: the Intervention Group exhibited a greater increase in absolute temperature (F[1,62] = 4.60, p = 0.040, η2p = 0.13) compared to the Control Group. There were no differences between the groups in the Lunge Test (F[1.68,53.64] = 2.91, p = 0.072, η2p = 0.08) or in pressure algometry (visual analog scale, VAS) (F[3.90] = 0.73, p = 0.539, η2p = 0.02). No significant short-term significant differences were found in the rest of the variables. (4) Conclusions: Diathermy can induce changes in the absolute temperature of the medial gastrocnemius muscle.

Foam rolling and stretching do not provide superior acute flexibility and stiffness improvements compared to any other warm-up intervention: A systematic review with meta-analysis

“…These are just a few examples of investigations that raise questions about the relevance of using stretching or foam rolling, specifically, when aiming to acutely improve ROM. As we found, several other interventions achieved the same goal, including cycling 26 , 88 and hot water baths, 29 , 88 eccentric stiff-leg deadlifts, 89 , 90 whole body vibration, 91 cryotherapy, 92 , 93 different massage techniques, 94 electromyostimulation, 95 , 96 and Tecar therapy, 97 as well as yoga (alone 98 or combined with heat 99 ). In some studies, effects of alternative interventions provided greater ROM than those induced by stretching or foam rolling.…”

Effects of Tecartherapy on Body Tissue: A Systematic Review

“…All of these effects significantly reduce muscle and/or joint pain, improving the function of these tissues [9,13,16,20,[25][26][27][28][29]. However, the Yeste-Fabregat [30] study showed that there was hypersensitivity in trigger points immediately after the application of Tecar. When compared to other physiotherapy techniques, there was a 10% reduction in pain after 30 minutes of application.…”

Evaluation of the concentration of growth associated protein-43 and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor in degenerated intervertebral discs of the lumbosacral region of the spine

“… 13 In contrast, the amino acid sequence of GAP-43 lacks membrane-spanning domains and glycosylation sites. 14 , 15 GAP-43 is highly hydrophilic; however, it contains a short (43 amino acids) hydrophobic fragment that facilitates the anchoring of this neurotrophic factor to the cytoplasmic side of synaptic plasma membranes. 16 The overriding process affecting the formation of the biologically active form of GAP-43 is phosphorylation.…”