Predictors of upper trapezius pain with myofascial trigger points in food service workers: The STROBE study

Ui-Jae Hwang, Oh-Yun Kwon, Chung-Hwi Yi, Hye-Seon Jeon, Jong-Hyuck Weon, Sung-Min Ha, Ui-Jae Hwang, Oh-Yun Kwon, Chung-Hwi Yi, Hye-Seon Jeon, Jong-Hyuck Weon, Sung-Min Ha

Abstract

Shoulder pain occurs commonly in food service workers (FSWs) who repetitively perform motions of the upper limbs. Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) on the upper trapezius (UT) are among the most common musculoskeletal shoulder pain syndromes. This study determined the psychological, posture, mobility, and strength factors associated with pain severity in FSWs with UT pain due to MTrPs.In this cross-sectional study, we measured 17 variables in 163 FSWs with UT pain due to MTrPs: a visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, age, sex, Borg rating of perceived exertion (BRPE) scale, beck depression inventory, forward head posture angle, rounded shoulder angle (RSA), shoulder slope angle, scapular downward rotation ratio, cervical lateral-bending side difference angle, cervical rotation side difference angle, glenohumeral internal rotation angle, shoulder horizontal adduction angle, serratus anterior (SA) strength, lower trapezius (LT) strength, bicep strength, and glenohumeral external rotator strength, in 163 FSWs with UT pain due to MTrPs.The model for factors influencing UT pain with MTrPs included SA strength, age, BRPE, LT strength, and RSA as predictor variables that accounted for 68.7% of the variance in VAS (P < .001) in multiple regression models with a stepwise selection procedure. The following were independent variables influencing the VAS in the order of standardized coefficients: SA strength (β = -0.380), age (β = 0.287), BRPE (β = 0.239), LT strength (β = -0.195), and RSA (β = 0.125).SA strength, age, BRPE, LT strength, and RSA variables should be considered when evaluating and intervening in UT pain with MTrPs in FSWs.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of study participant selection.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Posture analysis: (A) measurement of the forward head posture angle, (B) calculation of the rounded shoulder angle (a: distance between the root of the scapula and the acromion, b: the distance between the acromion and the horizontal line in the root of the scapula), (C) measurement of the shoulder slope angle in posterior view, (D) calculation of the scapular downward rotation ratio (c: distance between mid-line and root of scapula, d: distance between mid-line and inferior angle).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Measurement of the range of motion: (A) cervical lateral-bending range of motion, (B) cervical rotation range of motion, (C) glenohumeral internal rotation angle, (D) shoulder horizontal adduction angle.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Measurement of muscle strength: (A) serratus anterior, (B) lower trapezius, (C) biceps, (D) glenohumeral external rotator.

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