Bio-Physico-Metric Approach: Assessment and Treatment of Key Myofascial Trigger Points through an Adaptive Neuromodulation Device

Abstract

Background: The bioelectrical properties of human body tissues could represent an interesting means of interaction aimed at healing from musculoskeletal pathologies, through the use of different techniques, such as external Electrical Neuromodulation. Methods: The data of 10 patients suffering from Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain were considered. Patients were treated for 6 sessions on alternate days through Electrical Neuromodulation, applied to the skin of the areas where the local electrical conduction was most perturbed, measured through impedancemetry before and after each session. The temperature of the lumbar region was also measured, before and after each session, using thermal imaging. The level of perceived disability was assessed by administering the Oswestry Disability Index (in the first and last session) and the pressure-pain threshold was measured using an algometer on specific points of the body (in the first and last session). Results: Mixed results were observed, with some improvements in terms of the balance of the electrical activity measured through bioimpedancemetry on the various points of the body considered. Minimally positive results were observed with respect to thermographically measured lumbar temperature. Some positive results were observed also in terms of improvement of the disability induced by Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain and in terms of pressure-pain threshold in the areas of the body taken into consideration. Conclusions: The treatment approach observed was aimed at rebalancing the bioelectrical activity of the areas identified by the impedance analysis as sites of Key Myofascial Trigger Points, according to the logic of the method we define as the Bio-Physico-Metric Approach. The results obtained, albeit limited, would seem to encourage the application of this method and the carrying out of more extensive and prolonged studies to verify its efficacy in Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain and in other musculoskeletal pathologies.