Short-term effectiveness of auricular vagus nerve stimulation in patients with myofascial pain syndrome

Authors : Simay ÜNAL, Dilber KARAGÖZOĞLU COŞKUNSU, Sefa Haktan HATIK, Ali Veysel ÖZDEN

Pages : 573-582

Doi:10.18621/eurj.1005161

View : 17 | Download : 14

Publication Date : 2022-09-04

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objectives: To evaluate the effect of auricular vagus nerve stimulation insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(VNS); applied in addition to ischemic compression and stretching exercises on pain, trigger point insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(TP); sensitivity, grip strength, quality of life and autonomic functions in patients with myofascial pain syndrome insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MPS);. Methods: Sixty patients, who had neck pain, met the diagnostic MPS criteria of Travell and Simons were included in the study. The subjects were randomly divided into VNS group insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n = 30); or control group insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n = 30);. Each group performed 10 sessions of TP ischemic compression and stretching exercises insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(5 days/week);. Ten sessions of 30-minute long auricular VNS were added to the treatment in VNS group. Pain severity [Visual Analogue Scale insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(VAS);], TP sensitivity insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(algometer);, grip strength insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Jamar dynamometer);, quality of life [Short Form-36 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(SF-36);] and autonomic function [Composite Autonomic Symptom Scale-31 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Compass-31);] were evaluated before and after 10 sessions of treatment. Results: The VAS, algometer and Jamar measurements showed significant improvement in both groups. A statistically significant improvement was found in orthostatic intolerance, secretomotor and pupillomotor subscales of Compass-31 scale in the VNS group following the treatment insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( p < 0.05); while no significant difference was observed in the control group insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( p > 0.05);. The control group showed significant improvement in all parameters of SF-36 scale, while the VNS group showed significant improvement in physical function, social functionality and pain parameters insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p < 0.05);. The changes in the VAS, algometer, Jamar scores and secretomotor subscale of the Compass-31 scale were statistically higher in the VNS group than in the control group insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.001 and p = 0.011, respectively);. Conclusions: It can be argued that auricular VNS increases the effectiveness of ischemic compression and stretching exercises in patients with MPS. Further and detailed studies are needed in which the effect of VNS alone or in combination with other treatments in patients with MPS is examined and the physiological mechanisms are investigated.
Keywords : Myofascial pain syndrome, auricular vagus nerve stimulation, ischemic compression, autonomic nervous system, quality of life