Immediate Effects of Self-myofascial Release on Latent Trigger Point Sensitivity

Latent myofascial trigger points (LMTRP) which impair neuromuscular performance occur in both, patients and asymptomatic subjects. As evidence suggests that LMTRP can transform into active trigger points, therapy seems warranted. Besides other modalities, self-massage using foam rollers (self-myofascial release) has been applied as a treatment. However, there is no data on the efficacy of this method concerning LMTRP. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of different forms of self-myofascial release on LMTRP pain.

Healthy patients with LMTRP in the calf are randomly allocated to one of three groups: 1) 90s static compression of the most sensitive LMTRP by means of the foam roll, 2) dynamic self-myofascial release rolling back and forth on the calf muscles for 90s using a foam roller, 3) placebo laser acupuncture of the most sensitive LMTRP. All subjects participate in a familiarization session with the foam roller one week prior to treatments. As an outcome, pressure pain threshold is assessed with an algometer. The investigators hypothesize, that static compression can reduce pressure pain of LMTRP more effective than dynamic self-myofascial release. The investigators further expect that placebo treatment will be the least effective method.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Trigger Points
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Static compression of LMTRP; Other: Dynamic self-myofascial release of calf; Device: Placebo laser acupuncture of LMTRP

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 48
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Germany
  • Frankfurt/Main, Germany, 60488
    • Goethe University Frankfurt/Main

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• at least one diagnosed latent myofascial trigger point in the calf
• age 18 to 65 years
• written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• active myofascial trigger point in the calf
• regular intake of drugs or within past 48 hours
• severe psychiatric, neurological, orthopaedic, cardiovascular or endocrine diseases
• pregnancy or nursing period
• any condition that negatively influences current quality of life

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Static compression of LMTRP; static compression of most sensitive LMTRP with the foam roll for 90 seconds	Other: Static compression of LMTRP; Static compression of most sensitive Triggerpoint with a foam roller (Blackroll Inc., Germany).
Experimental: Dynamic self-myofascial release of calf; dynamic self-myofascial release rolling back and forth on the entire calf for 90 seconds with the foam roll	Other: Dynamic self-myofascial release of calf; Dynamic self-massage of the calf with a foam roller (Blackroll Inc., Germany).
Placebo Comparator: Placebo laser acupuncture of LMTRP; placebo laser acupuncture applied on most sensitive LMTRP of the calf, light and acoustic sounds provided, but laser remains switched off, 90 seconds	Device: Placebo laser acupuncture of LMTRP; Used device: Laserneedle System (Laserneedle Systems GmbH, Glienicke/Nordbahn, Germany). Electrodes positioned on skin but device remains switched off.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Change in pressure pain threshold [kg/cm²] assessed by pressure algometer	Baseline (M1) - 3 minutes (M2)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Goethe University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Winfried Banzer, MD, PhD, Department of Sports Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: May 1, 2015
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 1, 2016
• Study Completion (Actual): May 1, 2016

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 2, 2015
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 18, 2015
• First Posted (Estimate): November 20, 2015

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): May 11, 2016
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 10, 2016
• Last Verified: May 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: SpM2015-002