A descriptive study on the most effective modality among the five most commonly used physical therapy modalities among six affiliation centers in the management of myofascial pain syndrome of the trapezius muscle

Date of Completion

1998

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy

Keywords

Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Physical Therapy Modalities

Abstract

Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a common musculoskeletal condition which confronts the medical practitioners daily or one where patients continue to present themselves with the symptoms attributable to it. Pain , as the most patients often fail to receive proper evaluation and therefore, appropriate treatment. It was for this reason that the group felt the need to address the problem with labored documentation of the scientific basis of MPS and the appropriate as well as effective management of pain. Throughout the years, several approaches have been developed and different modalities employed. Although rehabilitation centers have their own treatment protocols while texts supply a number of guidelines and preferences, this study will just discuss on the five most commonly used modalities. Ones that are considered scientifically valid, not just any guesswork. This undergraduate thesis is a descriptive study on the most effective modality among the five most commonly used Physical Therapy modalities in the treatment of MPS of the Trapezius muscle. It aims to present the various response of patients treated with a specific modality considered in pain management of MPs. The modalities to be considered in this study will be limited to the following: Hot Moist Pack, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator, Ultrasound, Massage and Cryotherapy. The study was conducted in six affiliation centers of DLSU-HSC namely: DLSU-DIMDRU, St. Dominic Medical Center, JPRMRC, MCU, San Jose General Hospital, Seamen's Hospital Respondents of the study were thirty patients, ranging from ages 20-50 y/o, Filipino, female, who engage in critical jobs and were diagnosed to have MPS of the trapezius by physiatrist of the respective affiliation centers. The researchers provided questionnaire to MPS patients to gather the necessary information. They were also asked to observe the intensity of pain as well as the charges is symptoms noted one day and two days before treatment. The data obtained were interpreted descriptively. The study show that most of the modalities took effect on the first day after treatment with HMP and Cryotherapy equally effective in relieving pain. However, HMP resulted to have a longer duration of pain relief compared to the other four modalities and also had the most number of patients relieved one day and two days after treatmetn. HMP also came out to have tne highest average difference in intensities of pain both in the first day and second day after treatment. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in intensitive of pian effected by the five different PT modalities. We therefore recommend that MPS be classified, whether acute or chronic, to rule out the type of pain experienced by the subjects as well as to determine the appropriate management for the type of MPS. Workloads performed by the patients should also be of the same level to compare the pain felt. The subject must also be controlled accordingly so as not to aggravate the condition and not diminish the therapeutic effects of the modalities used. Greater number of subjects should be included in the study to be able ti arrive at a more reliable results. The study should also be conducted with a longer time frame for the treatment session to accurately determine the duration of pain relief provided by each modality. We also recommended that further studies be done with the use of the eclectic approach to know if it would be better and more effective in the management of MPS of the trapezius region for long term relief and lesser chance of recurrence of the signs and symptoms since the use of a certain and lone modality proved to provide only short term relief a greater percentages of recurrence of the signs and symptoms.

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