J Korean Pain Soc.  1999 Nov;12(2):195-199.

The Use of Skin Resistance Point Finder for the Diagnosis of Myofascial Trigger Points

• Kang MS
• Hong JE
• Lim YJ
• Lee SC

Abstract

BACKGROUND: At present, there is no reliable objective test for the diagnosis of myofascial trigger points (MFTP). We evaluated the usefulness of skin resistance point finder for the diagnosis of MFTP.
METHODS
40 subjects with clinical MFTPs at the upper trapezius muscle were included in this study. Using skin resistance point finder (UNIQUE S-2010, Seik medical, Korea), we tried to find out the point of low skin resistance. At three different current level, sensitivity and specificity of this method for the diagnosis of clinically identified MFTP was evaluated. Pressure threshold for pain of low skin resistance point was measured using Pressure Threshold Meter (Pain Diagnostics and Thermography, U.S.A.). 3 groups of point detected at different current were compared in mean pressure threshold.
RESULTS
Fixed single current of skin resistance point finder showed variable sensitivity and specificity. But, by adjusting current level, skin resistance point finder detected all of 40 clinically identified MFTPs. Although it is partially statistically significant, the mean pressure threshold of points detected at high current was high.
CONCLUSION
Skin resistance finder can be used as objective diagnostic tool of MFTPs. There is possibility that it can be useful in evaluating treatment effect. However, more investigation is necessary.

Keyword

Pain, myofascial pain syndrome, trigger point

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis*
Sensitivity and Specificity
Skin*
Superficial Back Muscles
Thermography
Trigger Points*