The Effect of Therapeutic Low-Frequency Ultrasound applied to Myofascial Trigger Points: A Pilot Pre-Post Design Study

Therapeutic Ultrasound Kilo-Herz Frequency Trigger Points Feasibility Study Calf Muscles.

Authors

  • Michal Elboim Gabyzon
    michal.elboim@gmail.com
    Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa,, Israel http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7278-9421
  • Amit Drat Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Studies, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva,, Israel
  • Leonid Kalichman Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Studies, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva,, Israel

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Ultrasound at a frequency of 1 or 3 MHz is frequently used to treat various musculoskeletal conditions, but research on ultrasound operating at 38-50 kHz frequencies (US-KHz) is lacking. Study aimed to evaluate the short-term effect of US-KHz on pain pressure threshold (PPT), ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), and motor performance (the Side Hop Test) in subjects with a myofascial trigger point (TrP) in the calf muscle. US-KHz was applied to the area of the palpable TrP in the calf muscle for 10 minutes (continuous pulse, transducer head size 19.6 cm2, power 0.75-1.25 w/cm2) in twenty volunteers (18-45 years old). Significant improvements (p<0.001) were noted in the Side Hop Test 24 hours after the intervention. ROM improved significantly after 5 minutes with changes maintained 24 hours later. No change was found in the PPT. This pilot study presents preliminary evidence of the efficacy of US-KHz in treating TrPs.

 

Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0303-5

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