Reliability of assessment of upper trapezius morphology, its mechanical properties and blood flow in female patients with myofascial pain syndrome using ultrasonography.
OBJECTIVE
In the present study, the intra-rater reliability of upper trapezius morphology, its mechanical properties and intramuscular blood circulation in females with myofascial pain syndrome were assessed using ultrasonography.


METHODS
A total of 37 patients (31.05 ± 10 years old) participated in this study. Ultrasonography producer was set up in three stages: a) Gray-scale: to measure muscle thickness, size and area of trigger points; b) Ultrasound elastography: to measure muscle stiffness; and c) Doppler imaging: to assess blood flow indices.


RESULTS
According to data analysis, all variables, except End Diastolic Velocity (EDV), had excellent reliability (>0.806). Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) for EDV was 0.738, which was considered a poor to good reliability.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study introduced a reliable method for developing details of upper trapezius features using muscular ultrasonography in female patients. These variables could be used for objective examination and provide guidelines for treatment plans in clinical settings.
Physical Therapy Department, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Hakimeh
H
Adigozali
Physical Therapy Department, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: shadmehr@tums.ac.ir.
Azadeh
A
Shadmehr
Physiotherapy Department, School of Rehabilitation, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Esmail
E
Ebrahimi
Physiotherapy Department, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Asghar
A
Rezasoltani
Radiology Department, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Farrokh
F
Naderi
D000328:Adult; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D064171:Superficial Back Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D061028:Trigger Points / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D055815:Young Adult
Blood flow; Myofascial pain syndrome; Stiffness; Ultrasonography