Trigger points and ultrasound elastography strain ratio in young adults with head, neck and shoulder myofascial pain

Orientador: Maria Beatriz Duarte GaviãoTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de PiracicabaResumo: A dor crônica associada aos tecidos moles e a dor miofascial são responsáveis por grande impacto na função do organismo, gerando incapacidade, determinada pela presença de pontos-gatilho (PGs). A cefaleia do tipo tensão (CTT) é a dor de cabeça mais frequente em adultos, comumente relacionada à presença de PGs nos músculos da cabeça e pescoço. Novas tecnologias vêm sendo testadas para o diagnóstico complementar de PGs, tais como a ultrassonografia bidimensional em escala de cinza e a elastografia ultrassonográfica (ELASTO). Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi acessar os dados clínicos de adultos jovens com o olhar voltado para a frequência de PGs e a rigidez muscular relacionadas à dor de origem miofascial das regiões de cabeça, pescoço e ombros. Um estudo observacional transversal foi conduzido, sendo a amostra composta por 15 homens e 17 mulheres, com idades entre 19 e 35 anos (25,78±3,93), IMC de 18,07 a 29,98 kg/m2 (23,00±3,22). Os dados coletados foram: informações gerais, imagens pela ultrassonografia bidimensional em escala de cinza, índice de resistência (IR) através da ELASTO, limiar de dor à pressão (LDP) através da algometria digital, intensidade de dor através da Escala Visual Analógica (EVA), palpação manual de PGs e classificação da CTT. Nos resultados, as mulheres apresentaram maior frequência de dor em outras partes do corpo do que os homens e maior intensidade de dor pela EVA. O LDP foi significativamente menor no grupo com presença de PGs ativos do que no grupo com PGs latentes, para os músculos trapézios direito e esquerdo. O LDP no músculo trapézio esquerdo mostrou-se menor no grupo com PGs ativos, apresentando também maiores valores de IR, indicando aumento de rigidez nos músculos com maior sensibilidade à pressão. O presente estudo demonstrou que as mulheres com dor de origem miofascial sentem-na com maior intensidade e em maior número de outras partes do corpo em relação aos homens. A ELASTO e a algometria foram eficazes na identificação de maior rigidez muscular e menor LDP em músculos com presença de PGs ativosAbstract: Chronic soft tissue pain syndromes and myofascial pain are responsible for serious impact on function and disability, which are determined by the presence of myofascial trigger points (MTrP). Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most frequent headache in adults in often associated with MTrP of head and neck muscles. New features have been tested for MTrP complementary diagnosis, such as two-dimensional ultrasonography and ultrasound elastography (ELASTO). The aim of this study was to access clinical outcomes from young adults looking forward the frequency of MTrP and muscle tenderness related to pain complaints of myofascial origin on the head, neck and shoulders regions. An observational cross-section study was carried on, with the sample consisted of 15 men and 17 women, aged between 19 and 35 years (25.78±3.93), BMI of 18.07 to 29,98 Kg/m2 (23.00±3.22). Data were collected concerning general info, two-dimensional ultrasound, ELASTO strain ratio (SR), pain pressure threshold (PPT) trough digital algometer, pain intensity trough Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), manual palpation of MTrP and TTH classification. Women had statistically significant more pain in other parts of the body than men and higher pain intensity through VAS. PPT was significantly lower in active than latent MTrP group for both right and left trapezius. PPT in the left trapezius muscle were lower and concerning SR, statistically significant higher values were found in the active MTrP group, indicating that the most sensitive muscle presented the highest stiffness. Women with pain of myofascial origin felt it in greater intensity and associated with other parts of the body frequently than men. ELASTO and algometry were effective in greater muscle stiffness and lower PPT values identification in muscles with active MTrPDoutoradoAnatomiaDoutora em Biologia Buco-Denta

Myofascial trigger points in migraine and tension-type headache

Abstract Background A myofascial trigger point is defined as a hyperirritable spot in skeletal muscle that is associated with a hypersensitive palpable nodule in a taut band. It has been suggested that myofascial trigger points take part in chronic pain conditions including primary headache disorders. The aim of this narrative review is to present an overview of the current imaging modalities used for the detection of myofascial trigger points and to review studies of myofascial trigger points in migraine and tension-type headache. Findings Different modalities have been used to assess myofascial trigger points including ultrasound, microdialysis, electromyography, infrared thermography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Ultrasound is the most promising of these modalities and may be used to identify MTrPs if specific methods are used, but there is no precise description of a gold standard using these techniques, and they have yet to be evaluated in headache patients. Active myofascial trigger points are prevalent in migraine patients. Manual palpation can trigger migraine attacks. All intervention studies aiming at trigger points are positive, but this needs to be further verified in placebo-controlled environments. These findings may imply a causal bottom-up association, but studies of migraine patients with comorbid fibromyalgia syndrome suggest otherwise. Whether myofascial trigger points contribute to an increased migraine burden in terms of frequency and intensity is unclear. Active myofascial trigger points are prevalent in tension-type headache coherent with the hypothesis that peripheral mechanisms are involved in the pathophysiology of this headache disorder. Active myofascial trigger points in pericranial muscles in tension-type headache patients are correlated with generalized lower pain pressure thresholds indicating they may contribute to a central sensitization. However, the number of active myofascial trigger points is higher in adults compared with adolescents regardless of no significant association with headache parameters. This suggests myofascial trigger points are accumulated over time as a consequence of TTH rather than contributing to the pathophysiology. Conclusions Myofascial trigger points are prevalent in both migraine and tension-type headache, but the role they play in the pathophysiology of each disorder and to which degree is unclarified. In the future, ultrasound elastography may be an acceptable diagnostic test