Relationship between pressure and thermal pain threshold, pain intensity, catastrophizing, disability, and skin temperature over myofascial trigger point in individuals with neck pain

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to correlate the thermal pain threshold (heat and cold) on myofascial trigger points with measurements of pain and skin temperature in patients with chronic neck pain. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. We included participants of both genders, aged between 18-45 years, with chronic neck pain (>90 days), and with active bilateral myofascial trigger point centrally located in the upper trapezius muscle. Neck Disability Index, Numerical Rating Scale, Pain-Related Catastrophizing Thoughts Scale, algometry, infrared thermography, and quantitative sensory testing were used for the evaluation. RESULTS: A significant, weak, and negative association was observed between pain intensity and heat pain threshold on the myofascial trigger point to the right (rho -0.381, p=0.022) and to the left (rho -0.334, p=0.049), and a significant, weak, and positive association was observed between pain intensity and cold pain threshold on the myofascial trigger point to the right (rho 0.471, p=0.004) and to the left (rho 0.339, p=0.043). CONCLUSION: Thermal pain threshold (heat and cold) on myofascial trigger points is associated with pain intensity in individuals with chronic neck pain.