Blood Flow Within Active Myofascial Trigger Points Following Massage

Tension-type Headache Clinical Trial

Official title:

Blood Flow Within Active Myofascial Trigger Points Following Massage

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT02389140
• Other study ID #: 14-1582
• Secondary ID: UL1TR001082
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: March 2, 2015
• Last updated: August 30, 2017
• Start date: March 2015
• Est. completion date: January 2017

Study information

• Verified date: August 2017
• Source: University of Colorado, Denver
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The physiological response at the myofascial trigger point (MTrP) to massage is not known, yet would provide important objective evidence for a treatment effect and clarify the resolution process of a MTrP.

Description:

The physiological response at the myofascial trigger point (MTrP) to massage is not known, yet would provide important objective evidence for a treatment effect and clarify the resolution process of a MTrP. The long-term goal is to understand how therapeutic intervention affects the physiology of the MTrP. The objective of the proposed research is to assess, in a placebo controlled trial, the effectiveness of trigger point release massage (also known as ischemic compression) on blood flow at an active MTrP. The central hypothesis is that the contraction nodule of an active MTrP is characterized by an ischemic state comprised of reduced blood flow and subsequent dysregulation in carbohydrate metabolism. The investigators hypothesize that trigger point release (TPR) can positively impact blood flow leading to a change in high energy carbohydrate tension. The present study has been formulated, in part, from a preliminary study conducted by the investigators, which supports reduced blood flow and physiological disruption at active MTrPs. The proposed research will provide a physiological basis for massage to corroborate subjective reports of reduced pain sensitivity, impart credibility to treatment techniques, and provide insight into a mechanism of action for healing the MTrP.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 28
• Est. completion date: January 2017
• Est. primary completion date: December 2016
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 21 Years to 49 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Chronic or episodic tension-type headache

• active MTrP in upper trapezius

• age 21-49

• BMI between 18.5-24.9

• either gender

• any race or ethnicity

Exclusion Criteria:

• No or latent MTrP in the upper trapezius

• migraine 4+/month

• cluster headache

• fibromyalgia

• neurological disease (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis)

• cardiovascular disease (e.g. prior heart attack or stroke)

• diabetes

• pregnancy

• a bleeding disorder (Self-report of hemophilia, known lack/deficiency of clotting factors, or presently °taking anti-coagulants (e.g. warfarin, Coumadin))

• narcotic use

• currently receiving massage

• prior trigger point injection or needling therapies

• allergy to lidocaine-type anesthetics such as lidocaine and prilocaine

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Headache
• Myofascial Pain
• Tension-type Headache

Intervention

Other:
• Trigger point release
Trigger point therapy
• Ultrasound
sham ultrasound

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	University of Colorado Hospital	Aurora	Colorado

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Colorado, Denver

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Change in Blood Flow as measured by microdialysis		1 hr pre intervention and 1 hr post intervention
Secondary	Change in Glucose as measured by microdialysis		1 hr pre intervention and 1 hr post intervention
Secondary	Change in Lactate as measured by microdialysis		1 hr pre intervention and 1 hr post intervention
Secondary	Change in Pyruvate as measured by microdialysis		1 hr pre intervention and 1 hr post intervention