Background/Purpose:

Coexisting cervical myofascial pain syndromes (MPS) can have serious effects on pain and disability of computer users with cumulative trauma disorders (CTD). The aims of this study are to evaluate the existence of cervical MPS in computer users with CTD and to investigate the effects of coexisting cervical MPS on pain and disability of computer users.

Methods:

170 computer users were included in the study. Computer users were classified as complainant group (CDT+) who have complaints concerning to neck, back and upper extremity (group 1) and non-complainant group (CTD-) who have no complaint (group 2). 55 age, sex and body mass index matched non-computer user, healthy hospital stuff were recruited as the control group (group 3). All participants were asked to fill our questionnaire form including detailed risk factor query and physical examination. Pain assessment was made by visual analog scale. The existence of MPS was evaluated using specific diagnostic crtiteria. The existence of active trigger points on trapezius, levator scapula, multifidus, sternocleidomastoideus, rhomboideus and deltoideus muscles were evaluated and noted. In order to measure the general disability levels of the participants, Quick DASH Score (QDS) was used, besides to measure their disability levels during work, Quick DASH Work Score (QDWS) was used. 

Results:

The mean ages of the 114 participants with CTD (77 females and 37 males) was 31.3±6.3 years, of the 56 with non-CTD (33 females and 23 males) was 30.9±6.7 years and of the 55 controls (34 females and 21 males)  was 31.7±5.8  years. Statistically significant differences weren’t found between the groups with respect to sex, mean ages and body mass indexes. 114 (77%) of the computer users had CTD. The presence of cervical MPS in complainant group (n:87) was statistically significantly higher than non-complainant (n:8) and control (n:8) groups (p<0.001). When compared to non-complainant and control groups, QDS and QDWS were significantly higher in complainant group (p<0.01-p<0.05). In the presence of accompanying MAS, pain intensity, QDS and QDWS increased significantly (p<0.01-p<0.05).

Conclusion:

The existence of cervical MPS is a serious factor in the increase of disability and pain levels of CTD patients. We believe that the evaluation of cervical MPS and treatment of the syndrome have a great importance in the treatment of CTD which can cause serious disability and workforce loss.

---

« Back to 2013 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/the-effects-of-coexisting-cervical-myofascial-pain-syndromes-on-pain-and-disability-of-the-computer-users-with-cumulative-trauma-disorders/