Effect of ischemic pressure using a Backnobber II

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of ischemic
pressure on myofascial trigger point (MTrP) sensitivity.
Design: Randomized, controlled study with the researcher assessing MTrP sensitivity blinded to
the intervention.
Participants: Twenty-eight people with two MTrPs in the upper back musculature.
Intervention: The sensitivity of two MTrPs in the upper back was assessed with a JTECH
algometer. One of the two MTrPs was randomly selected for treatment with a Backnobber II,
while the other served as a control.
Outcome measures: Pre- and post-test pressureepain thresholds of the MTrPs
Results: There was a significant difference between the pre- and post-test sensitivities of the
treated and non-treated MTrPs (pZ0.04).
Conclusions: The results of this study confirm that a protocol of six repetitions of 30-s
ischemic compression with the Backnobber II rendered every other day for a week was
effective in reducing MTrP irritability.
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