Short-term effects of traditional Thai massage on electromyogram, muscle tension and pain among patients with upper back pain associated with myofascial trigger points.
Study Goal
To investigate the effects of traditional Thai massage (TTM) on electromyographic activity, muscle tension, and pain intensity in patients with upper back pain associated with myofascial trigger points.
Results Summary
TTM significantly reduced EMG activity, muscle tension, and pain intensity compared to the control group, which showed no significant changes except for muscle tension. The TTM group demonstrated greater reductions in all measured parameters.
Population
Fifty patients with upper back pain associated with myofascial trigger points.
Effective Dosage
One 30-minute session of TTM.
Duration
Single 30-minute session.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | decrease | EMG | patients with upper back pain associated with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) | - | significant decreases | #1 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | decrease | muscle tension | patients with upper back pain associated with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) | - | significant decreases | #2 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | decrease | pain intensity | patients with upper back pain associated with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) | - | significant decreases | #3 |
control (sham microwave diathermy) | no change | EMG | patients with upper back pain associated with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) | - | similar changes were not observed | #4 |
control (sham microwave diathermy) | no change | pain intensity | patients with upper back pain associated with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) | - | similar changes were not observed | #5 |
control (sham microwave diathermy) | decrease | muscle tension | patients with upper back pain associated with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) | - | p<0.05 | #6 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | decrease | all parameters | patients with upper back pain associated with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) | - | significantly greater reduction | #7 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | increase | physical relaxation | patients with upper back pain associated with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) | - | can increase | #8 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | decrease | pain | patients with upper back pain associated with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) | - | reduce | #9 |
OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of traditional Thai massage (TTM) on electromyographic (EMG) activity, muscle tension and pain intensity in patients with upper back pain associated with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). DESIGN: A single-blind, randomized clinical trial. SETTING: The Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand. INTERVENTION: Fifty patients were randomly assigned to receive a 30-min session of either TTM or control (sham microwave diathermy). OUTCOMES: Electromyogram (EMG), Muscle tension rating, and pain intensity rating RESULTS: TTM were associated with significant decreases in EMG, muscle tension and pain intensity after the end of treatment session (p<0.05). For all outcomes, similar changes were not observed in the control group (p>0.05) except for muscle tension (p<0.05). In addition, there was a significantly greater reduction in all parameters for the TTM group when compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: We therefore suggest that TTM can increase physical relaxation and reduce pain in patients with upper back pain associated with MTrPs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02067325.