High voltage galvanic stimulation in myofascial pain syndrome

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to show the effectiveness of high voltage galvanic stimulation [HVGS] in the treatment of trigger points [TrPs] in myofascial pain syndrome. Design: A placebo-controlled study. Setting: The Study was performed in the physiotherapy unit of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Marmara University Hospital. Patients: The patients formed three groups, one of them being the treatment group, the second placebo group, and a third being the control group who received exercise treatment only. Group A: HVGS + exercise, Group B: Placebo HVGS + exercise, Group C: exercise only. Main Outcome Measure: Patients were evaluated before sessions, after the sessions, and 15 days after the treatment with the use of visual analog scale for pain, TrP tenderness index, analgesic use, and the patient's,general assessment. Result: At the end of the study pain levels decreased in patients of all three groups, but the decrease was more significant in HVGS group [P < 0.05]. Trigger point tenderness index was decreased significantly in the treatment group [P < 0.05]. Patients in the placebo group had the same complaints. Conclusions: We conclude that HVGS is effective in the treatment of tenderness in myofascial TrPs. Useful effects of HVGS continues in the midterm follow-up. High voltage galvanic stimulation can be accepted as a useful adjunctive modality in the treatment of myofascial TrPs. (C) 2003 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.