Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of activator
trigger point therapy versus interferential current (IFC) in the treatment of
inter-scapular pain that is caused by rhomboid major and minor trigger
points. The aim was to compare these findings in terms of the number of
rhomboid trigger points within the rhomboid muscle and the changes
found in the pain pressure threshold measurements. This study would
then establish which treatment protocol was most effective in reducing
inter-scapular pain owing to the resolution of rhomboid trigger points
Method: A sample of 40 participants between the ages of 19 and 42
years, took part in this study. Participants were randomly allocated into
two groups of 20 participants. Group 1 received activator trigger point
therapy delivered to their rhomboid trigger points and Group 2 received
interferential current over their involved rhomboid trigger points.
Procedure: The trial period included six treatments delivered over a
period of three weeks with a seventh visit for measurement only thus no
treatment administered. Subjective and objective data was collected at
visit 1, visit 4 and visit 7. Subjective measurements included the McGill
Pain questionnaire and the Numerical Pain Rating scale and objective
measurements was recorded using a pressure algometer.
Results: Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric testing
that included the Shapiro-Wilk test to test for normality. For intragroup
analysis the Friedman and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was performed and
for intergroup analysis the Mann-Whitney U test was used. Statistical
analysis showed a statistically significant difference for intragroup analysis
and no statistical significance for intergroup analysis. Therefore no
treatment protocol proved to be superior...
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)