The influence of Positional Release Therapy on the myofascial trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle in computer users.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of Positional Release Therapy (PRT) in computer users via latent trigger points (LTrPs) of the upper trapezius muscle.


METHODS
Twenty-eight women with the upper trapezius MTrPs participated in this study. Subjects were randomly classified into two groups (14 in each group): the subjects in the Group 1 received PRT in shortened position while those in the group 2 received sham control in the neutral position of the upper trapezius muscle. They received three therapy sessions every other day for one week. The local pain intensity and Pressure pain threshold (PPT) were measured via Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and algometry, respectively, before interventions and repeated 5 min after the first and third treatment sessions in each group.


RESULTS
One-way ANOVA was used for data analysis. After treatment, between groups comparison revealed that for PPT and VAS, there were significant differences between the two groups (VAS and PPT; P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Both groups (PRT and sham control) showed alleviation of pain and increase in PPT during three sessions of therapy although PRT showed to be more effective in these patients.
Student Research Committee, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Mohammadi Kojidi
Physiotherapy Research Centre, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: farshadokhovatian1965@gmail.com.
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Okhovatian
Physiotherapy Research Centre, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Rahimi
Physiotherapy Research Centre, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Baghban
Department of English Language Teaching, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Azimi
D000328:Adult; D003201:Computers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000628:therapy*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D064171:Superficial Back Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D064746:Therapy, Soft Tissue / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
Computer user; Positional Release Therapy; Trigger point; Upper trapezius muscle