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The Addition of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation with Roller Massage Alone or in Combination Did Not Increase Pain Tolerance or Range of Motion.

Journal of sports science & medicine
December 1, 2018
James D Young et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine whether the acute increases in pain pressure threshold (PPT) and range of motion (ROM) following roller massage (RM) are influenced by neural pain pathways, using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as an intervention.

Results Summary

The study found significant increases in PPT and ROM in both the treated and contralateral quadriceps after RM, with no additional benefit from TENS. Pain perception during RM was reduced when TENS was applied, but TENS did not enhance PPT or ROM improvements.

Population

Not specified beyond participants undergoing unilateral quadriceps RM.

Effective Dosage

Four 30-second bouts of RM with 30-second rest intervals, applied at ~70% of maximum tolerable load.

Duration

Acute (single session).

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
roller massage (RM)
increase
pain and muscle activity
-
-
can be painful and induce muscle activity
#1
roller massage (RM)
increase
pain pressure threshold (PPT) and range of motion (ROM)
-
-
Acute increases
#2
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) during roller massage
decrease
VAS scores
-
MCID
significantly reduced
#3
roller massage (RM)
increase
PPT and ROM
both the treated and contralateral quadriceps
-
increased
#4
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) during roller massage
no change
PPT or ROM
the affected or contralateral quadriceps
-
did not increase
#5
Abstract

Roller massage (RM) can be painful and induce muscle activity during application. Acute increases in pain pressure threshold (PPT) and range of motion (ROM) have been previously reported following RM. It is unclear whether the RM-induced increases in PPT and ROM can be attributed to changes in neural or muscle responses. To help determine if neural pain pathways are affected by roller massage, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was utilized as a form of electroanalgesia during RM with PPT and ROM tested on the affected and contralateral quadriceps. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in both quadriceps, the effect of brief intense TENS on PPT and ROM following unilateral RM of the quadriceps. A randomized within subjects' design was used to examine local and non-local effects of TENS and roller massage versus a control condition (rolling without TENS application). Four 30s bouts of roller massage of the dominant quadriceps were implemented with 30s of rest. The researcher applied the RM using a constant pressure device with approximately 70% of the maximum tolerable load. Perceived pain was monitored using a visual analog scale (VAS) during RM. Ipsilateral and contralateral quadriceps ROM and PPT were measured immediately following RM. Significant main effects for time showed increased PPT and ROM in both the treated and contralateral quadriceps, with no significant main effects for intervention or interactions for intervention and time. Moderate to large effect sizes and minimal clinically important differences (MCID) were detected when comparing baseline to pre- and post-tests respectively. VAS scores were significantly (main effect for intervention) and near significantly (interactions) reduced with MCID when TENS was applied during rolling. The addition of TENS to rolling did not increase PPT or ROM in the affected or contralateral quadriceps, likely due to a repeated testing effect.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
FemaleHumansMaleMassageMuscle, SkeletalPain MeasurementPain ThresholdQuadriceps MuscleRange of Motion, ArticularTranscutaneous Electric Nerve StimulationYoung Adult
Study Links
PubMed ID30479519
Quality Scores
Safety80
Efficacy65/10
Quality85/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations5
Citations/Year0.7
Relative Citation Ratio0.51
NIH Percentile27.4%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score2.00
Normalized Score0.75
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