Validation and Test-Retest Reliability of New Thermographic Technique Called Thermovision Technique of Dry Needling for Gluteus Minimus Trigger Points in Sciatica Subjects and TrPs-Negative Healthy Volunteers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the validity and test-retest reliability of Thermovision Technique of Dry Needling (TTDN) for the gluteus minimus muscle. TTDN is a new thermography approach used to support trigger points (TrPs) diagnostic criteria by presence of short-term vasomotor reactions occurring in the area where TrPs refer pain.Method. Thirty chronic sciatica patients (n=15TrP-positive andn=15TrPs-negative) and 15 healthy volunteers were evaluated by TTDN three times during two consecutive days based on TrPs of the gluteus minimus muscle confirmed additionally by referred pain presence. TTDN employs average temperature (Tavr), maximum temperature (Tmax), low/high isothermal-area, and autonomic referred pain phenomenon (AURP) that reflects vasodilatation/vasoconstriction. Validity and test-retest reliability were assessed concurrently.Results. Two components of TTDN validity and reliability,Tavrand AURP, had almost perfect agreement according toκ(e.g., thigh: 0.880 and 0.938; calf: 0.902 and 0.956, resp.). The sensitivity forTavr,Tmax, AURP, and high isothermal-area was 100% for everyone, but specificity of 100% was forTavrand AURP only.Conclusion. TTDN is a valid and reliable method forTavrand AURP measurement to support TrPs diagnostic criteria for the gluteus minimus muscle when digitally evoked referred pain pattern is present.