Elucidation of neural mechanisms in electrical therapy for musculoskeletal pain

We investigated effects of electrical stimulation at myofascial trigger point (MTrP) in patients with neck pain on cerebral hemodynamic responses using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The patients with neck pain were randomly assigned to 2 groups (stimulation at MTrP group, Stimulation at Non-MTrP group). Electrical Stimulation at TP in patients with neck pain significantly improved subjective feeling of pain and increased Pain pressure threshold after stimulation compared with stimulation at Non-TP. Oxy-Hb concentration in the prefrontal cortex was significantly decreased during stimulation at TP compared with stimulation at Non-TP.