J Korean Pain Soc.  2001 Jun;14(1):32-36.

Pressure Pain Threshold Measurement Using a Pressure Algometer in Myofascial Pain Syndromes

• Kwon YE
• Lee SJ
• Yoon CS
• Lee JH

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is no reliable objective test for the diagnosis of myofascial pain syndromes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a pressure algometer for the diagnosis of the trigger points and for the evaluation of the treatment in myofascial pain syndromes (MPS).
METHODS
Twenty female patients with clinical MPS of shoulder were included in this study. Pressure pain thresholds were measured by a pressure algometer at three different sites including the trapezius, supraspinatus and infraspinatus before, and then the 1st, 3rd and 7th days after TPI.
RESULTS
Mean pressure pain thresholds were lower in patients with MPS in than normal volunteers in all the examined skeletal muscles. Mean pressure pain thresholds in patients with MPS were increased significantly after TPI in all the examined skeletal muscles.
CONCLUSION
Pressure algometer can be used as relatively objective diagnostic tool for locating trigger points and to quantify the effect of TPI in MPS. However, more investigation is necessary.

Keyword

Myofascial pain syndromes; Pressure algometer; Trigger points injection

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis
Female
Healthy Volunteers
Humans
Muscle, Skeletal
Myofascial Pain Syndromes*
Pain Threshold*
Shoulder
Superficial Back Muscles
Trigger Points