Prevalence of Myofascial Trigger Points in Isolated Idiopathic Cervical Dystonia: A Possible Contributor to Pain, Movement and Disability.
Mov Disord Clin Pract
; 2024 Jun 19.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38898661
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Myofascial trigger points (TrPs) are hypersensitive points located in a tight band of muscle that, when palpated, produce not only local pain but also referred (distant) pain. The role of TrPs in patients with cervical dystonia (CD) has not been investigated.OBJECTIVE:
To identify the presence of TrPs in patients with isolated idiopathic CD and their association with pain.METHODS:
Thirty-one patients (74.2% women; age 61.2 years, SD 10.1 years) participated. TrPs were explored in the sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, splenius capitis, levator scapulae, anterior scalene, suboccipital, and infraspinatus muscles. Clinical features of CD were documented as well as the presence of pain. The severity of dystonia and its consequences were assessed using the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS).RESULTS:
The mean number of TrPs for each patient was 12 (SD3), with no differences between patients with pain (n = 20) and those without pain (n = 11). Active TrPs were only found in patients with pain (mean 7.5, SD4). Latent TrPs were found in both groups but were more prevalent (P < 0.001) in patients without pain (mean 11, SD3.5) than in those with pain (mean 5, SD3.5). The number of active TrPs or latent TrPs was positively associated with the TWSTRS disability subscale and the TWSTRS total score. The number of active, but not latent, TrPs was associated with worse scores on the TWSTRS pain subscale.CONCLUSION:
Active TrPs were present in patients with CD reporting pain, while latent TrPs were present in all CD patients, irrespective of their pain status. The numbers of active/latent TrPs were associated with disability. TrPs could act as pain generators in CD and also contribute to the involuntary muscle contractions characteristic of dystonia.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Mov Disord Clin Pract
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
España
Publication country:
EEUU
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ESTADOS UNIDOS
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ESTADOS UNIDOS DA AMERICA
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EUA
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UNITED STATES
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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US
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USA