The Addition of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation with Roller Massage Alone or in Combination Did Not Increase Pain Tolerance or Range of Motion.
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.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.