【論文摘要】Effectiveness of Ultrasound Therapy on Trigger Points or Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

【論文摘要】超音波治療對激痛點或肌筋膜疼痛症候群的治療效果－系統性回顧與統合分析

蘇敏傑(Min-Jie Su)

《物理治療》 46卷4期 (2021/12) Pp. 296-296

https://doi.org/10.6215/FJPT.202112.O22

摘要

Background and Purpose: Ultrasound (US) therapy has been reported as a common electrophysical agent for the management of musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of multiple sessions US on trigger points or myofascial pain syndrome. Methods: Three databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar) were searched and articles were included if met the following criteria: (1) subjects were randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups; (2) subjects with identified trigger points or myofascial pain syndrome; (3) the intervention group received multiple sessions US alone or US combined with other treatment which was the same as the control group; (4) the control group received no treatment, sham treatment, or other treatment which was part of the intervention group; (5) outcome measures contained pain intensity (at rest, at movement, or under pressure stimulation) or pressure pain threshold (PPT) of trigger points. The immediate effect means the therapeutic effect measured immediately after the end of treatments. The lasting effect means the therapeutic effect measured some time (1 day-6 months) after the end of treatments. Results: A total of 6 studies were included and analyzed. The immediate effect of multiple sessions US was significant improvement of both pain intensity (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -1.32, p ＜ 0.00001) and PPT (SMD = 1.45, p = 0.0004) compared with the control group. The lasting effect of multiple sessions US was significant improvement of both pain intensity (SMD = -0.90, p ＜ 0.0001) and PPT (SMD = 0.62, p = 0.04) compared with the control group. Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicated that there were both immediate and lasting effects of multiple sessions US on significantly decreasing pain intensity and significantly increasing PPT. Clinical Relevance: This meta-analysis suggests that multiple sessions US can decrease pain intensity and sensitivity of trigger points or myofascial pain syndrome.