Search

Objective: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common chronic pain condition affecting the musculoskeletal system and there are various treatment options. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of laser therapy in MPS. Methods: Sixty patients (35 female, 25 male) diagnosed with MPS due to trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle were included in our study. The patient files were evaluated in two groups of 30 people, each waiting in line with the diagnosis of MPS (n=30) and those who were not yet treated with the same diagnosis (n=30). LED gallium-aluminium-arsenide 1.6 W, 808 nm wavelength diode laser therapy and exercise therapy were applied to the treatment group for 12 minutes once a day for 10 days, while the control group received only exercise therapy. The level of pain at rest and during activity was measured by visual analog scale (VAS); pain intensity and sensitivity was measured by algometric measurement and 0-5 Likert scale; the functional status of the patients was evaluated using the Neck Pain and Disability scale (NPADS) and the quality of life of the patients using the Short Form-36 (SF-36). All these tests were recorded before the treatment, after the treatment and at the 1st month after the treatment in both groups, and the effectiveness of the treatment was examined. Results: The mean age of the cases was 33.4±10.5 in the treatment group and 36.1±10.6 in the control group. There was no significant difference between the demographic data of the patients in the control group and laser group. The 15th and 30th day VAS resting scores, VAS activity scores, 0-5 Likert scale and NPADS scores were found to be significantly lower in the treatment group compared to the control group. Algometric measurement score and SF-36 score on the 15th and 30th days were found to be significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group. Conclusion: In this study, it is seen that conventional laser therapy application in the treatment of MPS is effective on pain complaints at rest and during activity, besides, it decreases the trigger point sensitivity and increases the pressure pain threshold on the trigger point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) among patients with low and adequate vitamin D levels in premenopausal women. Patients and methods: Between October 2012 and April 2013, a total of 80 premenopausal patients (mean age 38.1±7.1 years; range, 18 to 50 years) with non-specific musculoskeletal symptoms were included in the study. The determination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) deficiency was based on a reference value of 25 ng/mL. Patients with deficient serum 25(OH)D3 levels (<25 ng/mL, n=40) comprised the patient group, while those with adequate serum 25(OH)D3 levels (≥25 ng/mL, n=40) comprised the control group. Data including demographic characteristics, laboratory parameters (i.e., calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase [ALP], and parathyroid hormone [PTH]), and clinical findings (i.e., proximal muscle weakness [PMW] and periarticular sensitivity [PAS]) were recorded and compared between the groups. Pain severity was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS), psychological status was evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and quality of life (QoL) was evaluated using the Short Form 36 (SF-36). The diagnosis of FMS was made based on the 2010 criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. Results: Although there were no statistically significant differences in the demographic characteristics between the groups, ALP and PTH levels were higher in the patient group (p<0.05). The VAS, frequency of FMS, PMW, and PAS were also significantly higher in the patient group (p<0.05). Depression and the mental and physical component scores of the SF-36 did not significantly differ between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our study results suggest that patients with low 25(OH)D3 levels may more frequently experience FMS and pain than healthy individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Istanbul Medical Journal is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)