Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic) -Dept. of Chiropractic, Technikon Natal, 2002 1 v. (various pagings) / The purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of Magnesium phosphate, as an adjunct to dry needling, in the treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS), in terms of objective and subjective clinical findings. MPS is a frequently encountered condition. If not treated adequately, this condition can lead to long term, recurrent pain, as well as patient and physician frustration. Many treatment protocols have been examined with contradictory results and research into epidemiological studies and combinations of various treatment protocols are lacking.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic) -Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2003 103 leaves / The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of dry needling latent myofascial trigger points, in the treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2005. / The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of Therapeutic Faradic Stimulation in patients with Myofascial Pain Syndrome of theTrapezius and Levator Scapula musculature. This study was a quantitative pilot placebo controlled clinical trial. The sample size used was 60 patients selected from the Durban Metropolitan Area. Only patients between the ages of 30 and 50, who were office workers and were diagnosed with active trigger points in either the Trapezius and/or the Levator Scapula muscles were accepted into this study. The sample was divided into 3 groups of 20. One group received Faradic Stimulation in the form of the Transeva, another group received Placebo Transeva and the third group received Pulsed Ultrasound. Each patient received 2 research treatments with a maximum of 72 hours between treatment 1 and 2, and the third free Chiropractic treatment being a week later. Data (both subjective and objective) were obtained from the patients at the first and second consultations, prior to treatments and at the third follow up before treatment. Subjective data were obtained with the Short form McGill pain questionnaire, the Numerical Pain Rating Scale and the CMCC Neck Disability Index. Objective data were obtained from the Pressure Algometer and the CROM Cervical Range of Motion Instrument. Statistical Analysis of the data was conducted using the SPSS (version 9) software suite. This Statistical software program was manufactured by SPSS Inc, 444N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Various Descriptive and Inferential Statistical techniques were used. The Descriptive procedures used were various tables and graphs and a few summary statistics including but not limited to means, proportions and percentages. Inferential Statistics included iv various Hypothesis testing techniques. Due to the size of our samples, namely 20 in each group, non-parametric Statistical Tests were used. All the tests were set at type 1 error at 5%, or mentioned differently = 0.05. If our p value as reported was less than 0.05 we declared a significant result and our Null Hypothesis was rejected. Evaluation of the statistical analyses revealed significant improvements with regards to subjective and objective data for mostly the Attenuated Faradic Treatment (Transeva) group. Although significant Placebo and Ultrasound effects were obtained initially after the first treatment, the Transeva group showed more favourable results between consultations two and three, giving a good indication of the progression of the treatment regimen. Comparison between groups showed a significant difference with regards to CMCC Neck Disability Index scores, NPRS 101 questionnaires, CROM extension and right lateral flexion readings and Algometer readings. It was concluded that the Transeva is an effective form of treatment for the active trigger points of Myofascial Pain Syndrome of the Trapezius and Levator Scapula musculature in terms of both subjective and objective clinical findings. Suggestions were made to double-blind further studies as this will aid in reducing researcher bias toward a favoured treatment protocol. This study and observations made by the author with respect to Myofascial Transeva treatment are hoped to contribute to the limited literature available on this modality.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Background: Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a condition characterized by the development of hyperirritable foci in muscle. Treatments include modalities such as cryotherapy, electrotherapy, ultrasound, ischeamic compression and dry-needling, the latter of which is reported to be the most effective. A side-effect of dry-needling is post-needling soreness which results from bleeding in the area of needle insertion. The application of heat as a therapy to an injured area has been reported to decrease pain by blocking nociceptors, decreasing muscle spasm, and increasing connective tissue extensibility. Objectives: To determine the relative effectiveness of heat therapy immediately after dry-needling versus dry-needling alone on post-needling soreness in the deltoid muscle of asymptomatic subjects. This was done in terms of subjective and objective clinical findings. Methodology: This study was designed as a randomised, parallel-controlled clinicaltrial. Thirty asymptomatic subjects were used. Each subject acted as their own control in that both the left and right arms of each subject were dry-needled. One of the arms received heat therapy after the dry-needling procedure while the other arm acted as a control. Algometer readings, a Numerical Pain Rating Scale-101 (NRS- 101) and a 24 Hour Pain Diary were used as assessment tools. Algometer and NRS-101 readings were taken before and after the dry-needling procedure and during the 24 hour follow up visit. Subjects used a 24 hour pain diary which was filled out at 3 hour intervals, to record the development of post-needling soreness. Independent samples t-test and Pearson’s chi square test were used to compare age and gender between the treatment groups. Repeated measures ANOVA testing was used to compare the effect of heat treatment with no heat treatment in the 60 arms over the three time periods of assessment for the outcomes which were 4 5 measured as continuous variables (NRS-101 and algometer). For binary outcomes such as the presence or absence of pain at any time point, Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare the heat treated with the control arms in the left and right arms separately. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Both the objective and subjective measurements from the heat intervention and control groups revealed the development of post-needling soreness. There was a slight trend of heat therapy decreasing post-needling soreness in terms of subjective (NRS-101 and pain diary) and objective (algometer) findings which was however, not found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Although the results of the study revealed no statistical evidence of a beneficial effect of heat therapy on objective or subjective findings clinical significance could not be excluded due to the observed trend of heat therapy decreasing post-needling soreness in terms of subjective (NRS-101 and pain diary) and objective (algometer) findings. Further investigation is recommended.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2003. / The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Myofascial Trigger Points of the quadriceps femoris muscle in the clinical presentation of Patellofemoral Pain syndrome. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome according to current literature suggests an extensor mechanism dysfunction as the most probable etiology, however this syndrome has posed many unsolved mysteries and challenges to the medical community and remains a difficult condition to treat. Myofascial pain syndrome in contrast to this is a regional muscular disorder that results from myofascial trigger points within the muscle. The presence of these trigger points could result in anterior knee pain, imbalance of the extensor mechanism and instability of the patellofemoral joint, which could present as a Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. / M

M.Tech.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2005. / Myofascial pain syndrome is defined as the sensory, motor and autonomic symptoms caused by myofascial trigger points (MFTPs), or hyperirritable spots within skeletal muscles that are associated with palpable nodules in a taut band (Travell, Simons and Simons, 1999 1:5). Treatments for this syndrome include, but are not limited to is haemic compression, heat pack therapy, active range of motion, spray and stretch, tens therapy, interferential current therapy and myofascial release technique (Hou et al. 2002). Despite this array of treatments available to a clinician, authors agree that more studies are required to determine the efficacy of these treatments (Han and Harrison, 1997:98). Thus an effective treatment is needed for myofascial pain syndrome as according to Schneider (1995); myofascial pain syndrome has become one of the most predominant soft tissue syndromes seen in the clinical practice today. The purpose of this study is to determine the relative effectiveness of myofascial manipulation versus the ischaemic compression in the treatment of myofascial trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle in terms of objective and subjective clinical findings. / M

A dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for Master's Degree in Technology: Durban institute of Technologies, 2003. / The purpose of this study was to determine the relative effectiveness of TENS electrodryneedling as compared to single dry needle insertion in the treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome . This study was a prospective, unblinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A sample size of 60 patients from the Durban Metropolitan area was used. Only patients diagnosed with active trigger points in the Trapezius muscle were accepted into the study. The sample was divided into two groups of 30 patients each. Group A received single dry needle insertion and Group B received electrodryneedling. Each patient received two treatments over a period of one week. The short term effects of both treatments were noted. Data was obtained from the patients before and immediately after each consultation. Subjective data was obtained with the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NRS 101) and the objective data was obtained from pressure threshold algometry. Statistical analysis of the data involved parametric testing. Intra-group comparisons were made using the paired t-test for NRS 101 and algometer scores. Inter-group comparisons were made using the unpaired t-test for NRS / M

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2003. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xvii, 211 p.: ill. (some col.). Includes abstract and vita. Advisor: William S. Marras, Dept. of Industrial, Welding, and Systems Engineering. Includes bibliographical references (p. 177-206).

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2003 / The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a home programme of ischaemic compression in the treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome.