Development of a quantitative identification method for the muscle pain site by mechanomyogram and surface electromyogram.

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K11341
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: University of East Asia
• Principal Investigator: Takamoto Kouichi 東亜大学, 人間科学部, 准教授 (00553116)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 理学療法 / 筋音図 / 筋電図 / 筋骨格系疼痛

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated the differences in muscle mechanical and electrical activity during isometric contraction in the infraspinatus muscle with and without latent myofascial trigger point (MTrP) in healthy subjects by simultaneous recording of mechanomyogram (MMG) and surface electromyogram (sEMG). The MMG signals, normalized median power frequency (NMF) (isometric muscle contraction /rest period), in the infraspinatus muscle with latent MTrP were significantly higher than that without latent MTrP. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in NMF of the sEMGs between the same muscle with and without latent MTrP. The results suggest that the MMG is useful as a non-invasive objective diagnostic tool for MTrP.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

トリガーポイントは筋骨格系疼痛の原因部位として提唱されている。トリガーポイントの診断はこれまで触診による主観的評価が主であり、非侵襲的・客観的評価法が必要とされていた。本研究によりトリガーポイントの非侵襲的・客観的評価としてとして筋音図による筋の物理的特性評価がバイオマーカーとなる可能性があり、筋骨格系疼痛の診断・治療方針の設定に大きく貢献することが示唆された。