Efficacy of Topical Vibratory Stimulation for Reducing Pain During Trigger Point Injection to the Gastrocnemius: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Publication date: September 2019

Source: Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Volume 100, Issue 9

Author(s): Young-Eun Moon, Sang-Hyun Kim, Hyun Seok, Seung Yeol Lee

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of topical vibratory stimulation for reducing pain during trigger point injection (TPI).

Design

Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Setting

Tertiary care university hospital.

Participants

A total of 136 participants were randomly recruited from among patients with myofascial pain syndrome who were scheduled for TPI. Of these, 65 were excluded because they met the exclusion criteria, and 11 because they refused to participate. Finally, 60 participants were enrolled. No participants dropped out of the study.

Intervention

Participants were randomly assigned to the vibration group or control group. TPI was performed with 0.5% lidocaine using a 25-gauge needle. A vibrator was applied to the popliteal fossa for 3 to 5 seconds prior to and during TPI to the gastrocnemius; 100-Hz vibration was turned on for the vibration group and turned off for the control group.

Main Outcome Measures

Pain intensity during TPI was assessed using a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) as a primary outcome, and participant satisfaction and preference for repeated use were measured using 5-point Likert scales as a secondary outcome. These parameters were evaluated immediately after TPI. The primary outcome was evaluated using analysis of covariance and secondary outcome using the Mann-Whitney U test.

Results

VAS scores for pain during TPI were significantly lower in the vibration group (30.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 22.65-39.26) compared with the control group (47.58; 95% CI, 38.80-56.52; F=7.74; P< .01). The mean difference in VAS scores between the 2 groups was 17.27 (95% CI, 5.24-29.30). Participant satisfaction and preference for repeated use were significantly higher in the vibration group than in the control group (P<.05). No participant showed any side effects.

Conclusion

Topical vibratory stimulation significantly decreased pain during TPI of the gastrocnemius.

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