Determining prevelence of trigger points in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome and investigate acute effects of trigger points therapy on pain, muscle strenght and functional activity

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine prevelence of aktive and latent trigger points in patients with shoulder impingment syndrome and investigate acute effects of trigger points therapy on pain, muscle strenght and functional activity. Method: This study was carried out 68 patients who diagnosed shoulder impingment syndrome and had a pain at least 3 months and their age were between 18-65 years. Participant's demographic informations were recorded. The intensity of shoulder pain experienced in last 24 hours, the intensity of shoulder pain at night and the intensity of shoulder pain during shoulder flexion were asked with 11-point numerical pain rating skale (NPRS11), shoulder range of motion assesed with digital inclinometer, muscle strength evaluated with hand held dynamometer, functional activity level asked with diasabilties of the arm, shoulder and hand (QuickDASH) questionare. Aktive and latent trigger points determined with/by manuel compression technique at subscapularis, infraspinatus, supraspinatus, trapez, SKM, scalen, levator scapula, pectoralis and biceps brachii muscles of the patients. Trigger point therapy (TPT) and stretching exercise applied the patient who had a trigger points. Home exercise program which contained posterior capsule stretching, skapular pinch, serratus anterior strengthening exercise, activity modification, posture education were given to the patients who had trigger points. Assesments repeated after immediate the treatment and after 1 week. The patients who were assessed, had unilateral shoulder pain (treatment group), and their other shoulder were assessed by control group. Data were analized with statistical package for the social science 17.0 version (SPSS17.0). Result: 52 patients had a trigger points at all of the 68 patients (49 women, 19 men, age: 51,50±11,65 years, BMI: 26,72±4,20kg/cm²) which included the study. There were statistically differences between before the treatment and after 1 week of the treatment at the intensity of shoulder pain experienced in last 24 hours, the intensity of shoulder pain at night and QDASH scores. There were statistically differences between before the treatment with immediate after the treatment and before the treatment with after 1 week of th treatment at the intensity of shoulder pain during shoulder flexion; flexion, abdüksiyon, ER, İR shoulder range of motion and upper-mediate-lower trapezius muscle strength scores (p<0,05). Conclusion: The results of our study determined that trigger points had a high plevalence in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome and investigated that trigger points therapy had an acute effects on pain, muscle strenght and functional activity and this effects may saved as all or some with exercise, posture education and activity modification.