Immediate effects of three different upper trapezius trigger point techniques on pain intensity and pressure threshold in students with cervical pain: a randomized clinical trial

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of three manual therapy protocols (Jones, Lewit, and Chaitow) with a sham group in terms of pain pressure threshold and intensity. Participants: Fifty-two physiotherapy bachelor students with neck pain lasting more than 3 days were recruited. Outcomes: Pain wa...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Jasemin, Todri, Orges, Lena, Vazquez Villa, Carolina, Martínez Fuentes, Juan, Ciferri, Alberto, Murcia González, María Antonia
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM)
Repositorio:RIUCAM. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.ucam.edu:10952/10683
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10952/10683
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Cervical pain
Active trigger point
Upper trapezius
Range of movement
Descripción
Sumario:Objective: To compare the effectiveness of three manual therapy protocols (Jones, Lewit, and Chaitow) with a sham group in terms of pain pressure threshold and intensity. Participants: Fifty-two physiotherapy bachelor students with neck pain lasting more than 3 days were recruited. Outcomes: Pain was assessed with Numerical Rating Scale and Pressure Algometer, while cervical range of motion was evaluated with the Baiobit Inertial sensor. Intervention: An investigator, independent of the assessment and randomization, conducted all the interventions and sham procedures. Specifically, the Jones group received pincer palpation with a 1-min duration of ischemic compression, followed by 90 s of the no-pain Strain-Counterstrain technique. The Lewit group underwent flat palpation for 1 min, accompanied by 40 s of intermittent compression and post-isometric relaxation. The Chaitow group received deep palpation for 1 min, followed by the pressure release position lasting 20 s to 1 min, concluding with the muscle energy technique. The Sham group received only flat palpation and a 3-min homolateral muscle shortening position. Results: Effects for all three techniques (Chaitow/Lewit/Jones) when comparing them to sham were not significant on pain intensity . No adverse events or undesirable effects were observed during the study. Conclusion: Immediate effects on pain intensity and pressure threshold are not directly attributable to any of the three tested trigger techniques.