title: Experienced versus Inexperienced Interexaminer Reliability on Location and Classification of Myofascial Trigger Point Palpation to Diagnose Lateral Epicondylalgia: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study.
abstract: The purpose was to evaluate the interexaminer reliability of experienced and inexperienced examiners on location and classification of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in two epicondylar muscles and the association between the MTrP found and the diagnosis of lateral epicondylalgia (LE). Fifty-two pianists (some suffered LE) voluntarily participated in the study. Three physiotherapists (one inexperienced in myofascial pain) examined, located, and marked MTrPs in the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) and extensor digitorum communis (EDC) muscles. Forearms were photographed and analyzed to establish the degree of agreement on MTrPs diagnosis. Data showed 81.73% and 77.88% of agreement on MTrP classification and 85.58% and 72.12% on MTrP location between the expert evaluators for ECRB and EDC, respectively. The agreement on MTrP classification between experienced and inexperienced examiners was 54.81% and 51.92% for ECRB and 50.00% and 55.77% for EDC. Also, agreement on MTrP location was 54.81% and 60.58% for ECRB and 48.08% and 48.08% for EDC. A strong association was found between presence of relevant MTrPs, LE diagnosis, and forearm pain when the examiners were experts. The analysis of location and classification of MTrPs in the epicondylar muscles through physical examination by experienced evaluators is reliable, reproducible, and suitable for diagnosing LE.
authors.affiliation: Free Professional Practice, 28031 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mora-Relucio
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Department, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28806 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Núñez-Nagy
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Department, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28806 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Tomás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gallego-Izquierdo
authors.affiliation: Cellular Biology Department, University of Granada, 18010 Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Alma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rus
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine Department, Medical Hydrology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Plaza-Manzano
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Romero-Franco
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferragut-Garcías
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Department, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28806 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pecos-Martín