Effect of exams period on prevalence of Myofascial Trigger points and head posture in undergraduate students: Repeated measurements study.
BACKGROUND
Myofascial Trigger points (MTrPs) may be caused or aggravated by many factors, such as mental stress associated with exams and impaired posture.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the prevalence and sensitivity of MTrPs, and forward head position (FHP) during exam period vs. mid-semester among physical therapy students.


METHODS
39 physical therapy students were palpated for MTrPs in neck and shoulder muscles and were photographed laterally for FHP measurement during the academic semester and during the academic examination period.


RESULTS
The subjects showed higher prevalence of active MTrPs in the right Trapezius and Levator Scapula muscles, and higher prevalence of latent MTrPs in the left Sternocleidomastoideus and Levator Scapula muscles during exams, as well as a higher rate of tenderness in suboccipital musculature.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical therapy students show greater prevalence of MTrPs during exams. The authors recommend implementing preventative programs towards the examination period.
Physical Therapy Department, Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. Electronic address: kalichman@hotmail.com.
Leonid
L
Kalichman
Physical Therapy Department, Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
Natalie
N
Bulanov
Physical Therapy Department, Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
Aryeh
A
Friedman
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D012107:Research Design; D012737:Sex Factors; D064171:Superficial Back Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D061028:Trigger Points / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
Exams; Forward head position; Myofascial trigger points