Effects of Autogenic Relaxation Training on Electromyographic Activity in Active Myofascial Trigger Points

Abstract

Objectives: Previous studies in our laboratory have suggested that myofascial trigger points [MTrPs] are electrically active and are sensitive to psychological stressors even when surrounding muscle tissue is silent. This study investigated the effects of Autogenic Relaxation Training [AT] on the needle electromygraphic [EMG] response of active MTrPs and adjacent [non-TrP] muscle fibers in the upper trapezius of 21 chronic pain patients.

Methods: Participants were trained in AT in the laboratory and sent home for daily practice two-ten days prior to data collection. Mean amplitude needle EMG response from the TrP and non-TrP muscle fibers were recorded. Data points were recorded in one minute periods throughout four conditions: baseline, relaxation, post-relaxation, and a mental mathematical stressor.

Results: Results from paired t-tests revealed that AT significantly and dramatically reduced the needle EMG activity in TrPs from baseline to relaxation.

Conclusion: The results indicate that relaxation training may be an effective tool in the treatment of TrP pain possibly mediated by intrafusal muscle fibers via the sympathetic nervous system.

KEYWORDS:

• Chronic muscle pain
• trigger points
• autogenic training
• sympathetic activation of muscle
• needle electromyography