ABSTRACT
Background: Pain is the most common symptom for seeking therapeutic alternative to conventional medicine. Trigger points (TrP) being the most debilitating cause of nonspecific neck pain, are found to be more prevalent in trapezius muscle. Various instrument-based and other manual therapy techniques are effective in the treatment of TrP. Objective: To compare the effect of Myofascial Cupping (MFC) and Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique (INIT) on the upper trapezius latent TrP on pain intensity, pressure pain threshold (PPT) & cervical range. Method: A randomized trial controlled on 40 individuals aged 20-40 years, both gender with latent TrPs in upper trapezius excluding ones who have taken treatment for upper trapezius TrPs within 6 months. Participants were randomly allocated into 2 groups by chit method, one group received MFC and other INIT. Pre- and post-intervention assessment was done using NPRS, pressure algometer and goniometer. Result: Within group, pain has significantly reduced after MFC and INIT with mean difference of 6.05±0.8 and 4.95±0.7, respectively (p<0.001). PPT increased in both groups (p<0.001) with mean difference of 0.63±0.3 and 0.28±0.11, respectively. Comparison between the groups showed significant difference in pain intensity (p=0.003) suggesting MFC was more effective in reducing pain. However, a PPT (p=0.606) and neck lateral flexion to the contralateral side of TrP (p=0.74) were not significant. Conclusion: MFC was more effective than INITs in improving pain, however both interventions showed similar effect on PPT and neck lateral flexion on latent TrP in trapezius.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dizziness is a typical manifestation of vestibular pathologies. Clinical studies have shown that it affects 1.82% of young adults to more than 30% older adults. Habituation and compensation are some traditional rehabilitation protocols. OBJECTIVE: Yoga is also known to have a significant effect on vestibulopathy. Hence, a need arises to compare the above two maneuvers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were recruited (n = 32) after screening using the Dix-Hallpike and head impulse test. They were then divided into two groups (n = 16). The first one, Group A, received yogasanas, and the second one, Group B, received gaze stabilization and habituation exercises for 4 days a week for 3 weeks. Pre- and post intervention outcome measures were taken using the motion sensitivity quotient (MSQ) score and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) scale. RESULTS: In reducing symptoms of dizziness, the between-group comparison shows that Group A has shown greater improvement (12.37% ±1.43%) in MSQ and Group B has shown greater improvement (16.12 ± 3.56) in DHI. Within-group comparison shows that both the interventions are effective in reducing symptoms of dizziness (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both gaze stabilization along with habituation exercises and yogasanas are effective in improving the symptoms of dizziness in patients with peripheral vestibular dysfunction. When compared between the groups, yogasanas had a superior hand in the MSQ score, whereas gaze stabilization and habituation exercises had a superior hand in the DHI scale.
