The prevalence of myofascial trigger points in neck and shoulder-related disorders: a systematic review of the literature

Ribeiro, Daniel Cury; Belgrave, Angus; Naden, Ana; Fang, Helen; Matthews, P.; Parshottam, Shayla

doi:10.1186/s12891-018-2157-9

Cited by 61 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…A possible relationship may be between the mechanical neck pain and presence of TPs, but it cannot be established as a cause-effect relationship. Ribeiro D.C. et all, in a systematic review of the literature [8], found limited evidence to support the prevalence of active and latent TPs due to the small sample sizes and low methodological qualities of the analyzed studies. Their results showed that active and latent TPs were prevalent throughout all neck or shoulder disorders.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Their results showed that active and latent TPs were prevalent throughout all neck or shoulder disorders. Studies with large sample sizes and low risk of bias are required for better evidence [8]. After conducting a randomized controlled trial, Blikstad A. and Gemmell H. concluded that the TP therapy is more effective than myofascial band therapy or sham ultrasound in treating patients with non-specific neck pain and upper trapezius trigger points [9].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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No additional benefit of trigger point therapy in cervical spondylosis patients treated with physiotherapy

Groza¹,

Avram

2020

Timisoara Physical Education and Rehabilitation Journal

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Introduction: Trigger points are defined as exquisitely tender spots in discrete taut bands of hardened muscle that produce symptoms. Trigger point therapy is increasingly accepted in the medical literature. Clinical and electrophysiological research has provided biological plausibility for the existence of trigger points.Aim: The main purpose of this study was to determine the additional benefit of trigger point therapy on cervical pain, mobility and functionality in cervical spondylosis patients treated with physiotherapy.Materials and methods: We conducted a 3-week interventional study on eighteen patients diagnosed with cervical spondylosis addressed to a physiotherapy clinic for treatment. After signing an informed consent, patients were randomly allocated into two groups: the study group - which had trigger point therapy added to the common physiotherapy treatment protocol and the control group - which benefited from common physiotherapy treatment only. All patients were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale, Neck Disability Index and cervical mobility. All evaluations were made before treatment, after 2 weeks and 3 weeks of treatment.Results: Both the study and control groups had significantly improved in pain, cervical mobility and physical function. The pain and functionality comparison at the end of the study, did not find significant differences between groups.Conclusion: The study shows that adding trigger point therapy to common physiotherapeutic treatment is not followed by additional improvement in pain, mobility or physical function of patients with cervical spondylosis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

No additional benefit of trigger point therapy in cervical spondylosis patients treated with physiotherapy

Groza¹,

Avram

2020

Timisoara Physical Education and Rehabilitation Journal

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“…27 A recent systematic review reported that latent MTrPs did not consistently have a higher prevalence compared to healthy controls. 28 For future studies, it would be beneficial to assess latent trigger points in patients with stroke without pain. It would also be beneficial to perform several interventional studies treating latent MTrPs after confirming the classification described in this study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Myofascial Trigger Points in Poststroke Patients With Painful Shoulders: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Villafañe

López-Royo

Herrero

et al. 2019

PM&R

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Background In patients with stroke, hemiplegic shoulder pain can be a major problem. One source of shoulder pain can be myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Objective To determine the prevalence of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) and the correlation between MTrPs and pain and function in patients presenting with shoulder pain following a stroke. Design Cross‐sectional study. Setting Department of Physical Therapy. Patients Fifty patients with stroke with shoulder pain. Intervention Not applicable. Main Outcome Measurements The prevalence of the MTrPs located in infraspinatus, supraspinatus, teres minor, and upper trapezius was studied, using the diagnosis criteria recommended by Simons et al. The pressure pain threshold was also evaluated. Pain and function were assessed with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scale, respectively. Results The prevalence of latent MTrPs was 68%, 92%, 40%, and 62% for supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and upper trapezius muscle, respectively. The prevalence of active MTrPs was 34%, 50%, 12%, and 20% for supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and upper trapezius muscle, respectively. Pain was moderately correlated with the prevalence of latent MTrPs (r = 0.35; P = .01) and active MTrPs (r = 0.31; P = .03) in the supraspinatus muscle. Disability was measured with the DASH scale and was moderately correlated with latent MTrPs in the infraspinatus (r = 0.31; P = .03) and active MTrPs of the supraspinatus (r = 0.32; P = .02). Conclusions This study shows that the prevalence of MTrPs is high in patents following a stroke. MTrPs in this population are moderately associated with pain and function. Level of Evidence II.

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“…Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are a commonly occurring clinical problem and defined as very small and hypersensitive points in skeletal muscle that are palpable, produce localised pain on compression and which can evoke referred pain. [1][2][3] MTrPs are the main characteristics of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), recognised as a very common cause of pain and dysfunction in various parts of the body, including neck, shoulder, spine and pelvis. [3][4][5] The pathogenesis of MTrPs is still not consistent and the diagnostic criteria are not objective enough.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combined T2 Mapping and Diffusion Tensor Imaging: A Sensitive Tool to Assess Myofascial Trigger Points in a Rat Model

Yu¹,

Su²,

Lu³

et al. 2021

JPR

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Background Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are defined as very small and hypersensitive points in skeletal muscle that are palpable, and produce localized pain on compression. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of combining T2 mapping with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for assessing MTrPs in a rat model and to investigate properties of the pathophysiological mechanisms. Methods Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats (model group, n = 14; control group, n = 10) underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination on a 3 T-MRI-scanner with a protocol consisting of T2 mapping and DTI. The MTrPs were established by blunt strike in combination with eccentric exercise. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to detect the levels of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) and their results were correlated with T2 values. Parameters from MRI including T2 values, fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), mean diffusivity (MD), and radial diffusivity (RD) were compared between the two groups. Histological analysis was applied to provide an additional supply for MRI findings. Results The MTrPs of rats displayed significantly increased T2 values and FA (= 0.000) compared with normal controls, whereas MD and RD values were significantly lower ( P = 0.031, = 0.000, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in AD between the two groups ( P = 0.400). These differences were accompanied by elevated levels of IL-1ß and interleukin-2 IL-2 in the MTrP group compared with controls. T2 values were positively correlated with elevated IL-1ß levels ( r = 0.543, P < 0.05) but were not correlated with IL-2 levels ( P > 0.05). Conclusion Combining T2 and DTI sequences creates a sensitive tool to assess MTrPs in a rat model. These data clarify a hypothesis that a trigger point is a chronic and mild muscle injury with inflammation.

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The prevalence of myofascial trigger points in neck and shoulder-related disorders: a systematic review of the literature

Cited by 61 publications

References 29 publications

No additional benefit of trigger point therapy in cervical spondylosis patients treated with physiotherapy

No additional benefit of trigger point therapy in cervical spondylosis patients treated with physiotherapy

Prevalence of Myofascial Trigger Points in Poststroke Patients With Painful Shoulders: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Combined T2 Mapping and Diffusion Tensor Imaging: A Sensitive Tool to Assess Myofascial Trigger Points in a Rat Model

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