The therapeutic efficacy of action potential therapy in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the relative efficacy of Action Potential Therapy (APT) as opposed to placebo Action Potential Therapy in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome. The study was a prospective, randomized, placebo controlled study. The study consisted of two groups of thirty subjects each, which were selected from the Durban Metropolitan area. Only subjects diagnosed as having active trigger points in either the trapezius or gluteus medius muscle were accepted into the study. Each subject received four treatments over a period of seven to ten days. Group one received an active form of Action Potential Therapy while group two received placebo Action Potential Therapy. Subjective assessment was by means of the short form McGill pain Questionnaire and the N wnerical Pain Rating Scale-l Ol. Objective assessment was by means of an algometer and the Myofascial Diagnostic Scale. Readings were taken twice for each patient. The first assessment was conducted at the initial consultation prior to the first treatment, and the second assessment was completed during the last consultation after the treatment. Intra-group comparisons were made using the parametric two-sample paired t-test and the nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank test. For the inter-group comparison, the parametric twosample unpaired t-test and non-parametric Mann-Whitney unpaired U test were used. Statistical analysis was completed at a 5% significance level.