Yudu - sportEX dynamics - 1999-2010

JOURNAL WATCH Journal Watch

THE EFFECT OF MANUAL THERAPY ON MASSETER MUSCLE PAIN AND SPASM. Albertin A, Kerppers II, et al. Electromyography and Clinical Neurophysiology 2010;50(2)Mar:107-112

Orofacial pain and pain in the muscles of mastication are frequent symptoms of temporomandibular disorder. The masseter is a strong muscle whose role is to raise and retract the mandible. It is generally the most affected by pain and spasm. Eight women who experienced pain upon palpation of the masseter described as greater than 6 on a visual analogue pain scale (VAS) were given transversal and circular massage movements to the area. Electromyoraphic activity in the muscle was also recorded. The results were a reduction in the pain scale but no significant difference in electromyographic activity.

sportEX comment One to get your teeth into!

Yet another paper proving the effectiveness of massage. Keep them coming.

EVALUATION OF ULTRASOUND VELOCITY TO ASSESS THE HYDRATION STATUS OF WRESTLERS. UTTER A C, MCANULTY S R, ET AL. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 2010;24(6)Jun:1451-1457

A group of 47 college wrestlers aged around 19

yrs, with a body mass (BM) of 79.4 ± 2.4 kg were tested in euhydrated, dehydrated and a 2-hours rehydrated conditions. Hydration status was quantified by measuring changes in plasma osmolarity, urine osmolarity, urine specific gravity, and BM. Ultrasound velocity (UV) was measured at 1 MHz using 1.5-microsecond duration tone burst in the soleus muscle. There were significant changes in plasma and urine samples during dehydration. The change in plasma osmolarity from the 1 to 2-hour rehydration time period significantly correlated to the change in UV during the same time period.

sportEX comment In the Star Trek series and its spin offs, the doctors hold a gadget against their patient which can both analyse bodily information as well as perform a diagnosis (for you non- Trekkies it’s called a medical tricorder). Science reality is getting close to science fact. There is currently an advert on British TV for a hand held ultrasound scanner. It suggests that when the doctor says, “Lets take a look” for the first time in history they really can see inside the body instantly. Here the use of ultrasound is extended to pointing it at a muscle and gaining information on the hydration state of the body. Magic!

EFFICACY AND SIDE EFFECTS OF DICLOFENAC PATCH IN TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME OF THE UPPER TRAPEZIUS. Hsieh LF, Hong CZ, et al. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 2010;39(1)Jan:116-125

One hundred and fifty three patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) were recruited and randomised to receive either a diclofenac sodium patch or control (menthol) patch. Visual analog scale (VAS), cervical active range of motion, pressure pain threshold of the myofascial trigger point (MTrP), patient global assessment, Neck Disability Index and the occurrence of adverse events were assessed on day 0 (baseline), day 4 and day 8. The group with the diclofenac sodium patch showed favorable responses for the VAS,

cervical active range of motion, and Neck Disability Index by the end of the treatment course and were consistently superior to the control patch at all time intervals. No significant differences were observed for the pressure pain threshold of the MTrP for either patch. Tolerability assessment also showed the diclofenac patch to be comparatively superior. The control patches were more likely to produce overall skin irritation.

sportEX comment

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a popular treatment for acute soft- tissue damage. This top of the evidence hierarchy, double-blind, placebo- controlled, randomised study shows that the diclofenac sodium patch is suitable for reducing pain and has no significant side effects. The positive aspect of a patch as opposed to pills is that compliance is a given as long as the patch is not removed.