Effectiveness of pregabalin treatment for trigger points in patients with comorbid myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common problem in the general population. MPS should not be a local/peripheral painful syndrome and considered to be a syndrome of central sensitivity. We aimed to investigate the effect of pregabalin in patients with MPS in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We randomized 40 patients into two groups, and 17 patients per group completed the study. Female patients in group I received pregabalin and exercise therapy, whereas those in group II received exercise therapy alone. All patients were evaluated as follows: for pain by visual analog scale (VAS); trigger-point pressure pain threshold-(PPT) by algometry; neuropathic pain using the Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions (DN4) and quality of life with the Short Form-36 (SF36). Evaluations were performed pre-treatment and at the end of the first and third months of treatment. Clinical trial ID: NCT04600037, retrospectively registered 20/10/2020. RESULTS: In group I, significant improvements were observed in VAS, trigger-point-PPT, physical component summary-SF-36, at the first and third months. In group II, statistically significant improvements were observed in VAS, trigger-point-PPT after the first and third months. Group I showed statistically better improvements in VAS, trigger points-PPT, physical component summary-SF36 compared with group II by the third month. CONCLUSION: Pregabalin treatment is effective for controlling trigger points. Pregabalin treatment is also more effective than exercise treatment at improving quality of life in patients with MPS.

Effects of acupuncture on pain and function in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome: A randomized sham-controlled trial.

Background: Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) is the most common cause of shoulder pain. Acupuncture is a traditional medicine that is effective on pain. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of acupuncture treatment on pain, function, range of motion (ROM) and quality of life compared to sham acupuncture in patients diagnosed with SIS. Methods: A randomized, prospective, double-blinded, sham-controlled trial was conducted. In acupuncture group 40 participants received acupuncture treatment plus exercise therapy while in control group 40 participants received sham acupuncture plus exercise therapy. Primary outcomes included pain-rest, activity and night pain. Secondary outcomes included function [Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score (Quick DASH)], ROM, and quality of life [The Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC)] in patients with SIS. Results: Both groups had significant improvements for pain-rest, activity night pain scores, SPADI, Quick DASH and WORC after treatment and at the first month follow-up. Significant improvements were recorded in the acupuncture group for all ROM after treatment and at the first month follow-up while in control group only in passive internal rotation. Acupuncture group had better improvements for Quick DASH, WORC and all ROM parameters after the treatment, as well as for all parameters except pain-night and passive flexion at the first month follow-up. Conclusion: This study suggest that acupuncture treatment is a safe, effective and non-invasive treatment option in patients with SIS. Trial registration: The study protocol is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05794633).