000165019 001__ 165019
000165019 005__ 20251204150239.0
000165019 0247_ $$2doi$$a10.63360/ipmm.v1.e18
000165019 0248_ $$2sideral$$a146440
000165019 037__ $$aART-2025-146440
000165019 041__ $$aeng
000165019 100__ $$0(orcid)0000-0002-9201-0120$$aHerrero, Pablo$$uUniversidad de Zaragoza
000165019 245__ $$aAssessment of Myofascial Trigger Points with ultrasound: a methodology combining external vibration with Power Doppler Imaging and B-mode
000165019 260__ $$c2025
000165019 5060_ $$aAccess copy available to the general public$$fUnrestricted
000165019 5203_ $$aIntroduction: This case series explores a novel methodology for identifying myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) by integrating Doppler and B-mode ultrasound with externally applied vibratory stimulation. The study aims to address the current lack of accessible and objective tools for MTrP assessment in clinical settings.
Case presentation: Five participants were included: four healthy individuals and one post-stroke patient. A custom-designed vibration device was developed to apply mechanical stimulation to the gastrocnemius medialis muscle, while ultrasound imaging was collected using a standardized setup. To optimize vibration signal detection within muscle tissue, different configurations of the electrodes transmitting the vibration and the Doppler modes (Color Doppler and Power Doppler Imaging (PDI)) were tested.
Results: PDI demonstrated superior sensitivity to vibration-induced muscle responses compared to conventional Color Doppler. A consistent pattern was identified among healthy participants. This pattern consisted of well-defined, non-vibratory zones surrounded by vibratory regions, corresponding to hypoechoic areas on B-mode ultrasound. These findings are suggestive of MTrPs and distinct from other stiff anatomical structures, such as fascia, tendons, or fibrotic tissue, which appear hyperechoic. In the stroke patient, pathological muscle adaptations reduced the consistency and visibility of vibratory stimulus propagation; however, MTrP-compatible areas were still identified. Notably, dry needling altered the Doppler signal in this case, attenuating the previously observed pattern.
Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the feasibility and reproducibility of a cost-effective assessment protocol that uses conventional ultrasound modes. Combining PDI, B-mode, and vibration may improve the objective identification of MTrPs and expand capabilities in musculoskeletal practice.
000165019 536__ $$9info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/B54-23R$$9info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/T27-23R
000165019 540__ $$9info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess$$aby-nc-sa$$uhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.es
000165019 655_4 $$ainfo:eu-repo/semantics/article$$vinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
000165019 700__ $$0(orcid)0000-0002-6506-6081$$aLapuente-Hernández, Diego$$uUniversidad de Zaragoza
000165019 700__ $$0(orcid)0000-0002-1831-3342$$aBlanco, Teresa$$uUniversidad de Zaragoza
000165019 700__ $$0(orcid)0000-0001-5316-8171$$aCasas, Roberto$$uUniversidad de Zaragoza
000165019 700__ $$aValera-Garrido, Fermín
000165019 700__ $$aMinaya-Muñoz, Francisco
000165019 700__ $$aGomes Monres, Jose
000165019 700__ $$0(orcid)0000-0002-7876-4735$$aGómez-Trullén, Eva María$$uUniversidad de Zaragoza
000165019 7102_ $$11006$$2245$$aUniversidad de Zaragoza$$bDpto. Fisiatría y Enfermería$$cÁrea Educación Física y Depor.
000165019 7102_ $$15008$$2785$$aUniversidad de Zaragoza$$bDpto. Ingeniería Electrón.Com.$$cÁrea Tecnología Electrónica
000165019 7102_ $$11006$$2413$$aUniversidad de Zaragoza$$bDpto. Fisiatría y Enfermería$$cÁrea Fisioterapia
000165019 7102_ $$15002$$2305$$aUniversidad de Zaragoza$$bDpto. Ingeniería Diseño Fabri.$$cÁrea Expresión Gráfica en Ing.
000165019 773__ $$g1 (2025), e18 [14 pp.]$$tInvasive Physiotherapy and Musculoskeletal Medicine$$x3101-0105
000165019 8564_ $$s2049389$$uhttps://zaguan.unizar.es/record/165019/files/texto_completo.pdf$$yVersión publicada
000165019 8564_ $$s1836028$$uhttps://zaguan.unizar.es/record/165019/files/texto_completo.jpg?subformat=icon$$xicon$$yVersión publicada
000165019 909CO $$ooai:zaguan.unizar.es:165019$$particulos$$pdriver
000165019 951__ $$a2025-12-04-14:39:26
000165019 980__ $$aARTICLE