Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy-An International Journal

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Latent Trigger Point Therapy for Smartphone Users


Affiliations
1 The Oxford College of Physiotherapy, Begur Road, Hogasandra, Bangalore, India
2 Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Sports, The Oxford College of Physiotherapy, Bangalore, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Multi-touch smartphones are used for a wide variety of tasks, including accessing the Internet, social media, etc. Trigger points (TrPs), causes referred pain in characteristic areas for hand and forearm muscles. Latent TrPs cause stiffness and limitation of ROM but no pain. Self Myofascial release (SMFR) is a simple and effective technique in which the therapy is done by the patient themselves often using a tool. Objectives: To find out the effectiveness of Self Myofascial Release therapy and Educational booklet among college students with latent trigger points. Methodology: 120 subjects, male and female having latent TrPs with mean age 22.3 (±2.36), fulfilling the selection criteria were included. Subjects were examined to find out latent trigger point PPT with help of Pressure Algometer on muscles of hand. Subjects were instructed SMFR therapy via tennis ball (2 mins, twice a day for 2 weeks) on the affected muscles. Post test examination of PPT was taken. Result: The mean age was calculated to be 22.3 (±2.36) were analyzed. Right hand Adductor Pollicis muscle and Left hand 1st dorsal interrosei muscle was found to be most affected (p < .00001) and Opponens pollicis on both sides were least affected. Educational booklet was given for creating awareness and was found to be helpful. Conclusion: Smartphones with greater dimensions promotes predominant usage of thumb while typing. SMFR and Educational booklet appears to be effective in reducing pain and addictive behaviour among Smartphone users.

Keywords

Myofascial Release, Latent Trigger Points, Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT).
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Nguyen P. A study of one-handed interaction of large smartphones: GUI changes for better ergonomics.

  • Proma FA. Joint kinematics, muscle activity and postural strain for finger-intensive operation of small hand-held devices.

  • Sharan D, Mohandoss M, Ranganathan R, Jose J, Rajkumar J. Distal upper extremity disorders due to extensive usage of hand held mobile devices in human Factors In Organizational Design And Management–Xi Nordic Ergonomics Society Annual Conference–46 2014.

  • Desai MJ, Saini V, Saini S. Myofascial pain syndrome: a treatment review. Pain and therapy. 2013 Jun 1;2(1):21-36.

  • Dorsher PT. Myofascial referred-pain data provide physiologic evidence of acupuncture meridians. The Journal of Pain. 2009 Jul 1;10 (7):723-31.

  • Park G, Kim CW, Park SB, Kim MJ, Jang SH. Reliability and usefulness of the pressure pain threshold measurement in patients with myofascial pain. Annals of rehabilitation medicine. 2011 Jun;35 (3):412.

  • Beardsley C, Škarabot J. Effects of self-myofascial release: A systematic review. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies. 2015 Oct 1; 19(4):747-58.

  • Eapen C, Kumar B, Bhat AK. Prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders in cell phone users. Journal of Musculoskeletal research. 2010 Sep; 13(03):137-45.

  • Patel DG, Vyas NJ, Sheth MS. Immediate effect of application of bilateral self myo-fascial release on the plantar surface of the foot on hamstring and lumbar spine flexibility: A quasi experimental study. 2016; 3:7

  • Gustafsson E. Ergonomic recommendations when texting on mobile phones. Work. 2012 Jan 1; 41(Supplement 1):5705-6.

  • Xiong J, Muraki S. An ergonomics study of thumb movements on smartphone touch screen. Ergonomics. 2014 Jun 3; 57(6):943-55.


Abstract Views: 706

PDF Views: 0




  • Latent Trigger Point Therapy for Smartphone Users

Abstract Views: 706  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Namrata Mehta
The Oxford College of Physiotherapy, Begur Road, Hogasandra, Bangalore, India
R. V. Vijayakumar
Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Sports, The Oxford College of Physiotherapy, Bangalore, India

Abstract


Multi-touch smartphones are used for a wide variety of tasks, including accessing the Internet, social media, etc. Trigger points (TrPs), causes referred pain in characteristic areas for hand and forearm muscles. Latent TrPs cause stiffness and limitation of ROM but no pain. Self Myofascial release (SMFR) is a simple and effective technique in which the therapy is done by the patient themselves often using a tool. Objectives: To find out the effectiveness of Self Myofascial Release therapy and Educational booklet among college students with latent trigger points. Methodology: 120 subjects, male and female having latent TrPs with mean age 22.3 (±2.36), fulfilling the selection criteria were included. Subjects were examined to find out latent trigger point PPT with help of Pressure Algometer on muscles of hand. Subjects were instructed SMFR therapy via tennis ball (2 mins, twice a day for 2 weeks) on the affected muscles. Post test examination of PPT was taken. Result: The mean age was calculated to be 22.3 (±2.36) were analyzed. Right hand Adductor Pollicis muscle and Left hand 1st dorsal interrosei muscle was found to be most affected (p < .00001) and Opponens pollicis on both sides were least affected. Educational booklet was given for creating awareness and was found to be helpful. Conclusion: Smartphones with greater dimensions promotes predominant usage of thumb while typing. SMFR and Educational booklet appears to be effective in reducing pain and addictive behaviour among Smartphone users.

Keywords


Myofascial Release, Latent Trigger Points, Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT).

References