An electroencephalography (EEG) study of short-term electromyography (EMG) biofeedback training in patients with myofascial pain syndrome in the upper trapezius.
Nattakarn Kaewcum, Vorasith Siripornpanich
PMID 33132529WHAT IT FOUND
Fifteen minutes of EMG biofeedback changed brain activity in people with upper trapezius pain, but did not significantly reduce their pain scores.
The relaxation effect appeared in the EEG, not in the patient's experience.
Key findings
01Delta power decreased and alpha power increased significantly 15 minutes after biofeedback, indicating a neural relaxation effect.
02Pain scores showed a decreasing trend but no statistically significant difference between pre- and post-training measurements.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study lacked a control group, making it difficult to attribute changes solely to the biofeedback rather than the passage of time or rest. Pain assessment was subjective, relying on self-reported Visual Analog Scale ratings. The intervention duration was short (15 minutes), whereas typical biofeedback protocols last at least 4 weeks.
Declared interests
Funding was provided by Rangsit University. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that EMG biofeedback is ineffective for pain because this single 15-minute session did not reduce scores. The study shows immediate physiological relaxation, but pain reduction may require longer-term training protocols.