견갑골 내측 상부의 발통점에 체외충격파와 초음파 적용시 통증과 피부두께, 근력변화에 미치는 영향

Abstract

Purpose : This study aims to investigate into the change in muscle power, pain and muscle tension upon application of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and ultrasound (US) at trigger point (TrP) of the Scapular inter angle. Methods : In total of 24 human subjects that experience pain upon stimulation at the scapular inter angle were recruited. They were divided into three groups: control, ESWT and US group. Each group was subjected to appropriate stimulation three times per week for four weeks except the control group which had no restrictions in lifestyle. The ESWT group was subjected to Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy with a 2 <TEX>$cm^2$</TEX> head, 20 times at speed of application of 60 pulses/min and depth of intrusion of 25 mm Whereas the US group was subject to Ultra sound therapy with 1<TEX>$cm^2$</TEX> head, 1 MHz in frequency, 1.5 W/<TEX>$cm^2$</TEX> of strength with five minutes of continuous application. Measurements were performed immediately prior to and at the end of the experiment. Results : There was no statistical significance in the change in muscle tension and muscle power as well as the difference between both groups before and after the experiment. VAS and VRS, all of which indicates changes in pain level, had statistically significant differences between them in pretest posttest comparisons. However, ESWT was superior to US in terms of decreasing muscle tension and pain while increasing muscle power. Conclusion : This study has made it evident that ESWT is far more reasonable to apply to TrP.