Vibration for Pain Reduction During Trigger Point Injection

Vibration Anesthesia for Pain Reduction During Trigger Point Injection to the Gastrocnemius

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of vibration anesthesia for reducing pain induced by trigger point injection of gastrocnemius.

Sixty patients were randomized into the vibration or placebo group. In vibration groups, vibrator head was applied (100Hz) on the popliteal fossa, during the trigger point injection. In placebo group, same vibrator head was applied with switch-off sate. Then, a visual analog scale to evaluate the pain of trigger point injection and a five-point Likert scale for patients satisfaction were compared between the two groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who have the trigger point in the gastrocnemius and show referred pain.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Those with prior history of trigger point injection
• Those with taking anti-platelet agent
• Those with hemorrhage tendency
• Pregnancy
• Acute infection
• those who were unable to understand a visual analog scale (VAS) or a Likert scale