Perbedaan Efektivitas Ultrasound dan Kombinasi Ultrasound-Stretching Terhadap Nyeri Trigger Point Otot Upper Trapezius di RS Awal Bros Botania

Abstract

Upper trapezius trigger points are one of the causes of musculoskeletal pain that may interfere with daily activities. Ultrasound therapy and stretching can be used for pain management; however, the difference in pain reduction between ultrasound therapy alone and its combination with stretching remains important to investigate. This study aimed to determine the difference in the effectiveness of ultrasound therapy and combined ultrasound therapy with stretching in reducing pain associated with upper trapezius trigger points based on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). This quantitative study employed a quasi-experimental design with a two-group pre-test and post-test design, involving 40 participants divided into an ultrasound therapy group and a combined ultrasound therapy and stretching group, with 20 participants in each group. Pain intensity was assessed using the NPRS before and after six intervention sessions. Data were analyzed using a paired t-test to assess within-group changes and an independent-samples t-test to compare pain reduction between groups. Effect size was assessed using Cohen’s d with a significance level of ? = 0.05. The ultrasound therapy group showed a reduction in pain intensity with a mean delta of 3.150 and p < 0.001. The combined ultrasound therapy and stretching group showed a reduction in pain intensity with a mean delta of 4.300 and p < 0.001. The independent-samples t-test showed a significant difference in pain reduction between the two groups (p = 0.004), with a mean difference of -1.150 and a 95% CI of -1.986 to -0.314. Cohen’s d was -0.881, indicating a large effect size. Both ultrasound therapy and combined ultrasound therapy with stretching significantly reduced pain intensity. There was a significant difference in the magnitude of pain reduction between the two groups, with the combined group showing a greater mean delta than the ultrasound therapy group. The between-group difference demonstrated a large effect size.