The beneficial effects of traditional Thai massage on young patients with latent myofascial trigger points in the wrist extensor muscles: A randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the effects of traditional Thai massage (TTM) on pressure pain threshold, pain intensity, wrist flexion, and grip strength in young patients with latent myofascial trigger points in the wrist extensor muscles.
Results Summary
TTM significantly improved pressure pain threshold, pain intensity, and wrist flexion compared to sham ultrasound therapy, with effects sustained two weeks post-intervention. The sham group also showed improvements, except for pressure pain threshold.
Population
Young patients (mean age ~21 years) with latent myofascial trigger points in the wrist extensor muscles.
Effective Dosage
Three 20-minute sessions per week for 9 sessions.
Duration
3 weeks (9 sessions total).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | increase | pressure pain threshold (PPT) | young patients with latent myofascial trigger points in the wrist extensor muscles | - | significant improvement | #1 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | decrease | pain intensity | young patients with latent myofascial trigger points in the wrist extensor muscles | - | significant improvement | #2 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | increase | wrist flexion | young patients with latent myofascial trigger points in the wrist extensor muscles | - | significant improvement | #3 |
sham ultrasound therapy (SUS) | no change | pressure pain threshold (PPT) | young patients with latent myofascial trigger points in the wrist extensor muscles | - | significant improvement | #4 |
sham ultrasound therapy (SUS) | decrease | pain intensity | young patients with latent myofascial trigger points in the wrist extensor muscles | - | significant improvement | #5 |
sham ultrasound therapy (SUS) | increase | wrist flexion | young patients with latent myofascial trigger points in the wrist extensor muscles | - | significant improvement | #6 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | increase | pressure pain threshold (PPT) | young patients with latent myofascial trigger points in the wrist extensor muscles | - | significantly greater improvement | #7 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | decrease | pain intensity | young patients with latent myofascial trigger points in the wrist extensor muscles | - | significantly greater improvement | #8 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | increase | wrist flexion | young patients with latent myofascial trigger points in the wrist extensor muscles | - | significantly greater improvement | #9 |
BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of traditional Thai massage (TTM) on pressure pain threshold (PPT), pain intensity, wrist flexion and grip strength in young patients with latent myofascial trigger points in the wrist extensor muscles. METHODS: Sixty-two participants were randomly assigned to received three 20-min sessions per week of either TTM (mean age = 20.9 ± 1.40 years, body mass index (BMI) = 21.61 ± 3.46 kg/m2) or sham ultrasound therapy (SUS) (mean age = 20.71 ± 1.90 years, BMI = 23.06 ± 5.17 kg/m2) for 9 sessions. PPT, pain intensity, wrist flexion and grip strength were assessed at baseline, weeks 3, and 5. RESULTS: In both groups, significant improvement in PPT, pain intensity and wrist flexion were observed after the intervention period and at two weeks after the intervention period (P < .05) except for the PPT in the SUS group (P > .05). The TTM group showed a significantly greater improvement in PPT, pain intensity and wrist flexion than the SUS group at weeks 3 and 5 (P < .05). CONCLUSION: TTM can improve the PPT, pain intensity and wrist flexion in this patient population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02067624.