Acute Effects of Tecar Therapy on Skin Temperature, Ankle Mobility and Hyperalgesia in Myofascial Pain Syndrome in Professional Basketball Players: A Pilot Study

Mireia Yeste-Fabregat, Luis Baraja-Vegas, Juan Vicente-Mampel, Marcelino Pérez-Bermejo, Iker J. Bautista González and Carlos Barrios
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Mireia Yeste-Fabregat: Doctoral School, Catholic University of Valencia (UCV), 46001 València, Spain
Luis Baraja-Vegas: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia (UCV), 46001 València, Spain
Juan Vicente-Mampel: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia (UCV), 46001 València, Spain
Marcelino Pérez-Bermejo: Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, 46001 València, Spain
Iker J. Bautista González: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia (UCV), 46001 València, Spain
Carlos Barrios: Institute for Research on Musculoskeletal Disorders, Catholic University of Valencia, 46001 Valencia, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-14

Abstract: (1) Background: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a clinical condition characterized by localized non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain caused by myofascial trigger points. Diathermy or Tecar therapy (TT) is a form of noninvasive electro-thermal therapy classified as deep thermotherapy based on the application of electric currents. This technique is characterized by immediate effects, and its being used by high performance athletes. (2) Methods: A total of thirty-two participants were included in the study who were professional basketball players. There was a 15-person Control Group and a 17-person Intervention Group. TT was applied in the Intervention Group, while TT with the device switched off (SHAM) was applied in the Control Group. The effects were evaluated through the Lunge test, infrared thermography, and pressure threshold algometry at baseline, 15, and 30 min after the intervention. (3) Results: the Intervention Group exhibited a greater increase in absolute temperature (F [1,62] = 4.60, p = 0.040, ? 2 p = 0.13) compared to the Control Group. There were no differences between the groups in the Lunge Test (F [1.68,53.64] = 2.91, p = 0.072, ? 2 p = 0.08) or in pressure algometry (visual analog scale, VAS) (F [3.90] = 0.73, p = 0.539, ? 2 p = 0.02). No significant short-term significant differences were found in the rest of the variables. (4) Conclusions: Diathermy can induce changes in the absolute temperature of the medial gastrocnemius muscle.

Keywords: trigger point; sport injuries; gastrocnemius muscle; diathermy; thermography; basketball; range of motion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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