Immediate Effect of Acupuncture on Electromyographic Activity of the Upper Trapezius Muscle and Pain in Patients With Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized, Single-Blinded, Sham-Controlled, Crossover Study

Simone Aparecida Penimpedo Calamita; Daniela Aparecida Biasotto-Gonzalez; Nívea Cristina De Melo; Marco Antônio Fumagalli; César Ferreira Amorim; Cid André Fidelis de Paula Gomes; Fabiano Politti

doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2017.09.006

Immediate Effect of Acupuncture on Electromyographic Activity of the Upper Trapezius Muscle and Pain in Patients With Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized, Single-Blinded, Sham-Controlled, Crossover Study

J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2018 Mar-Apr;41(3):208-217. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2017.09.006.

Authors

Simone Aparecida Penimpedo Calamita¹, Daniela Aparecida Biasotto-Gonzalez¹, Nívea Cristina De Melo², Marco Antônio Fumagalli³, César Ferreira Amorim¹, Cid André Fidelis de Paula Gomes¹, Fabiano Politti⁴

Affiliations

¹ Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Physical Therapy Departament, Nove de Julho University, São Paulo, Brazil.
² Physical Therapy Departament, Nove de Julho University, São Paulo, Brazil.
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nove de Julho University, São Paulo, Brazil.
⁴ Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Physical Therapy Departament, Nove de Julho University, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: fabianopolitti@gmail.com.

PMID: 29549891
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2017.09.006

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess changes in upper trapezius myoelectric activity and pain in patients with nonspecific neck pain after a single session of acupuncture (ACP).

Methods: A blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted. Fifteen patients with nonspecific neck pain and 15 healthy participants were enrolled in a randomized, single-blinded, crossover study. Each participant was subjected to a single session of ACP and sham acupuncture (SACP). The electromyography (EMG) signal of the upper trapezius muscle was recorded during different step contractions of shoulder elevation force (15%-30% maximal voluntary contraction) before and after ACP treatment.

Results: Significant effects were confirmed after the treatment (ACP and SACP) for Numeric Rating Scale scores (F_1,28 = 51.61; P < .0001) and pain area (F_1,2 = 32.03; P < .0001). Significant decreases in the EMG amplitude were identified for the nonspecific neck pain group (NPG) (F_1,112 = 26.82; P < .0001) and the healthy participant group (HPG) (F_1,112 = 21.69; P < .0001) after ACP treatment. No differences were identified between the ACP and SACP treatment protocols for Numeric Rating Scale score (NPG: F_1,28 = 0.95; P = .33), pain area (NPG: F_1,28 = 1.97; P = .17), or EMG amplitude (NPG: F_1,112 = 0.47; P = .49; HPG: F_1,112 = 0.75; P = .38).

Conclusion: The effect of ACP at acupoints triple energizer 5 and large intestine 11 triple energizer 5, or in close proximity, contributes to pain relief among patients with nonspecific neck pain. The electromyographic analysis indicated a greater resistance to muscle fatigue and decrease of activity of the upper trapezius muscle among healthy participants and patients with nonspecific neck pain.

Keywords: Acupuncture; Clinical Trial; Electromyography; Pain; Rehabilitation, Neck Pain.

Publication types

Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Acupuncture Points
Acupuncture Therapy / methods*
Adult
Cross-Over Studies
Electromyography / methods*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
Neck Pain / therapy*
Pain Management
Range of Motion, Articular
Single-Blind Method
Superficial Back Muscles / physiopathology*