Application of galvanic currents in trigger points.

Identifier:  TFG:1795

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFG1795

Authors:  Riera Sureda, Joan

Abstract:
Nowadays, the application of galvanic currents (GC) is common in physiotherapeutic treatments. This technique produces electrochemical and electrophysiological effects in the human body. Its utility has been proved in pathologic tendons. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of a treatment with GC in a pathologic muscular tissue and to evaluate whether the GC can make the needles lose properties inside the tissue. This investigation was done in the Facultat de Medicina I Ciències de la Salut of the URV. The adult mice’s muscles that were used for the experiment were: the gastrocnemius in vivo and the Levator Auris Longus (LAL) ex vivo. The mouse was anesthetized with tribromoethanol (TBE) and then injected with neostigmine (NTG) until it showed cholinergic signs. Then, GC were applied to the muscles with 0.30x30mm needles connected to a Physio Invasiva Prim dispositive (EPI). After that, we studied the elements Fe, Cr and Ni from the needles with an electronic microscope, pre-treatment and post-treatment. The methylene blue technique was also done. Both experiments were done in order to confirm that the muscular tissue did not suffer any injury because of the treatment. The parameters we took into account for the GC were the same in both muscles: I=3mA, t=3’’ by doing 3 repetitions with one minute break between each application. In order to evaluate the treatment’s effect, we did an electrophysiological recording in the LAL after 3 and 24 hours by the end of the treatment. The aim was to analyse the mEPPs and the membrane potential. An electromyographical recording was also done in the gastrocnemius by inserting a monopolar needle inside the muscle in order to find endplate noise. The results showed us that the muscular tissue was not damaged by the treatment and it also showed us a decrement of the areas of endplate noise, as well as normalization of the parameters studied by electrophysiology. We can now say GCs are an effective treatment in pathological muscular tissues.