Percutaneous Microelectrolysis (MEP) Versus Ischemic Compression in Miofascial Trigger Points

Short Term Effects in Pressure-pain Threshold of Percutaneous Galvanic Microcurrent Versus Ischemic Compression in the Trapezius Trigger Points

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT03708107

Enrollment

Registered

2018-10-17

Start date

2018-10-22

Completion date

2019-12-10

Last updated

2019-12-23

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Myofascial Trigger Point Pain

Keywords

galvanic current, electrolysis, myofascial trigger point, percutaneous microelectrolysis, dry needling, ischemic compression

Brief summary

The Percutaneous Microelectrolysis ® (MEP®) is a technique that employs a galvanic current up to 990 uA, which is applied percutaneously with an acupuncture needle connected to the cathode. Although it is used in tendinopathies, trigger points and muscle injuries, among other conditions, its bases are mostly empirical and there is lack of evidence. Ischemic compression is a manual therapy that is usually applied in muscle pain. Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) usually presents painful myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). One methodology used to quantify the pain in MPS is the algometry, which measures the pressure pain threshold (PPT). The aim of this study was to compare the effects of MEP® with ischemic compression on MTrPs with algometry.

Interventions

DEVICEMEP

MEP® will be applied with an acupuncture needle (0,30 x 25 mm). The needle will be introduced perpendicularly to the MTrP with 100 uA and then increased up to 600 uA. The current will be paused if the patient feels a burning sensation, pain or oppression, waiting up to the patient feels no discomfort. The procedure will be repeated as many times is necessary until the patient do not feel any discomfort for more than 1 minute.

OTHERIschemic compression

Ischemic compression will be applied perpendicularly to the MTrP, increasing gradually the pression until the patient refers the maximum tolerable pain. This pressure will be applied for 1 minute.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

The researcher who did the algometry was masked. The researcher who did the statistical analysis was masked.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 30 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Healthy volunteers * Between 18 to 30 years old. * Who referred MTrP in the upper trapezious. * PPT equal or less than 3 KgF/cm2

Exclusion criteria

* Being pregnant. * Taking analgesic medication at least 24 hours before the intervention. * Being in physical therapy treatment. * Needle phobia.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Preasure Pain Threshold (PPT)	24 hours	Algometry is used to measure the Preasure Pain Threshold (PPT). PPT is defined as the minimum force applied which induces pain. It was applied in the Miofascial Trigger points.

Countries

Argentina

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026