Comparative Efficacy of Multiplane Force Application and Ischemic Compression on Masticatory Muscles: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Nakhengrit C, MSc, PT1,4, Boonprakob Y, PhD, PT1,4,5, Jorns TP, DDS, PhD2,4, Paphangkorakit J, DDS, PhD2,4, Pitiphat W, DDS, PhD3, Paungmali A, PhD, PT5
Affiliation : 1 School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand 2 Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand 3 Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand 4 Neuroscience Research and Development Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand 5 Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Objective : To compare the immediate effect between the multiplane force application (MFA) and ischemic compression (IC)
techniques on pain alteration and the activity of masticatory muscles.
Materials and Methods : Eighty-six participants who had latent myofascial trigger points (LTrPs) in either masseter or temporalis
muscle, from 18 to 60 years of age, were recruited into this study. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups. Group I
(n = 43) received the MFA technique, whereas group II (n = 43) received the IC technique. In each group, the muscles with LTrPs
were treated for 30 min. Outcome measures including pressure pain threshold (PPT) and resting muscle activity were assessed at
pre-treatment and post-treatment. Significant differences of selected outcomes within groups were analyzed by paired t-test. To
compare the differences between groups, an independent t-test was used.
Results : PPT of masseter and anterior temporalis muscles were increased and the resting muscle activity was reduced significantly
at the post-treatment period (p<0.001) in both IC and MFA groups. There was no significant difference in changes in PPTs and
resting EMG between both techniques (p>0.05).
Conclusion : The two methods have similar efficiency for increasing PPT and reducing resting activity of the masseter and anterior
temporalis muscles.
Keywords : Multiplane force application technique, Ischemic compression technique, Latent myofascial trigger point, Manual therapy
