Evaluation of the immediate effect of acupuncture on pain, cervical range of motion and electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius muscle in patients with nonspecific neck pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundNonspecific neck pain can cause considerable suffering, possible disability and reductions in quality of life and productivity. The aim of the proposed study is to evaluate the immediate effect of acupuncture on pain, cervical range of motion and electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius muscle in patients with nonspecific neck pain.Methods/DesignA total of 12 patients with nonspecific neck pain and 12 healthy subjects will be enrolled in a randomized, single-blind crossover study. Each subject will receive two forms of treatment in random order: a single session of traditional acupuncture (acupoints: triple energizer 5, ‘Wai-guan’ and large intestine 11, ‘Qu-chi’) and sham acupuncture. To eliminate carry-over treatment effects, a one-week wash-out period will be respected between sessions. Surface electromyography will be used to determine motor control in the upper trapezius muscle before and after treatment. The outcome measures in the group with neck pain will be a numerical pain rating scale (range: 0 (no pain) to 10 (maximum pain)), documentation of the pain area on a body chart and cervical range of motion. Comparisons before and after acupuncture treatment will demonstrate whether acupoints affect the activity of the upper trapezius muscle, pain and cervical range of motion.DiscussionThe purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the immediate effect of acupuncture on pain, cervical range of motion and electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius muscle in patients with nonspecific neck pain. Data will be published after the study is completed. The study will support the practice of evidence-based physical therapy for individuals with nonspecific neck pain.Trial registrationThis trial was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (identifier: NCT0984021) on 7 November 2013 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01984021).

The Immediate Analgesic Effect of Acupuncture for Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

“…The duration of acupuncture stimulation and acupuncture paradigm as well as the assessment of analgesic effect following acupuncture treatment in different clinical trials have been varied, and these time-dependent factors might be a crucial determinant in evaluating the analgesic effect of acupuncture. The effects of acupuncture can be classified as either the immediate effects (immediately after the end of the first treatment) or the cumulative effects of multiple acupuncture treatments [ 25 , 26 ]. To date, most clinical trials and systematic reviews have focused on the cumulative analgesic effects.…”

Os efeitos da bandagem elástica no músculo trapézio em adultos saudáveis

“…In the search for the best tool to measure the effects of the elastic therapeutic tape, as pointed out above, surface electromyography was chosen to be used in this study. This tool was chosen because of its frequent application in scientific studies, which aim at verifying the change in muscle conditions in therapeutic interventions (17,19,23) .…”

“…A rigid velcro strip was devised for the research and it was fixed under the feet of the chair in which the volunteer was placed. The strip was then adjusted on each individual's Acr (19) (Figure 1). The purpose of this strip was to restrict movement during maximum voluntary contractions (MVC).…”

“…In order to compare the data before the intervention, after the intervention itself and intersubjects, the EMG data were normalized in accordance with the literature (19,21) . The normalization process is fundamental to compare EMG signals between the records of the same individual or between different individuals.…”

Immediate relief of herniated lumbar disc-related sciatica by ankle acupuncture

“…Based on the time-dependent characteristics of acupuncture, the effects of acupuncture are generally classified as either immediate (after the end of the first treatment session) or cumulative (after repeated acupuncture stimulation). [ 23 , 24 ] So far, most clinical trials and systematic reviews assessing the role of acupuncture have focused on the cumulative effects of repeated acupuncture stimulation. However, the immediate effects could have clinical significance and methodological advantages.…”