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Research paper thumbnail of Frequency of median nerve tightness and its association with upper limb functions among smartphone users of a public sector university, Karachi

Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, Mar 1, 2022

Objective: To determine median nerve tightness in smartphone users, and to compare the upper limb... more Objective: To determine median nerve tightness in smartphone users, and to compare the upper limb functions between those with and without median nerve tightness. Method: The cross-sectional, observational study was conducted at the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from March 2020 to January 2021, and comprised subjects of either gender aged 20-40 years who had been using smartphone for >1 year. Body mass index was calculated. The participants were evaluated using upper extremity functional index-15. A hand-held dynamometer was used to assess handgrip strength, and a pinch meter assessed the pinch strength. Manual upper limb tension test 1 was used for median nerve tightness. Frequencies and percentages were drawn for all categorical variables. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. Results: Of the 277 subjects, 198(71.5%) were females. The largest group 176(63.5%) was aged 21-25 years. The mean upper limb functional index was 84.24±15.09. Also, 113(40.8%) subjects were positive for left-side median nerve tightness and 122(44%) were positive on the right side. There was no significant association between median nerve tightness and upper extremity function (p>0.05). The association, however, was significant with the duration of mobile usage in years (p<0.05). Conclusion: Prolonged overuse of smartphone may lead to symptoms of median nerve tightness, but it was not found to have an effect on upper limb function, handgrip and pinch strength. Key Words: Adults, Dynamometer, Hand strength, Middle-aged people, Mobile phone, Pinch strength, Upper extremity.

Research paper thumbnail of Frequency of median nerve tightness and its association with upper limb functions among smartphone users of a public sector university, Karachi

Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 2022

Objective: To determine median nerve tightness in smartphone users, and to compare the upper limb... more Objective: To determine median nerve tightness in smartphone users, and to compare the upper limb functions between those with and without median nerve tightness. Method: The cross-sectional, observational study was conducted at the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from March 2020 to January 2021, and comprised subjects of either gender aged 20-40 years who had been using smartphone for >1 year. Body mass index was calculated. The participants were evaluated using upper extremity functional index-15. A hand-held dynamometer was used to assess handgrip strength, and a pinch meter assessed the pinch strength. Manual upper limb tension test 1 was used for median nerve tightness. Frequencies and percentages were drawn for all categorical variables. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. Results: Of the 277 subjects, 198(71.5%) were females. The largest group 176(63.5%) was aged 21-25 years. The mean upper limb functional index w...

Research paper thumbnail of Frequency of Myofascial Trigger Point in upper trapezius muscle and its associating factors among Physical therapist in Karachi, Pakistan: A cross-sectional survey

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENDORSING HEALTH SCIENCE RESEARCH (IJEHSR), 2020

Background: Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is the most familiar painful musculoskeletal condition... more Background: Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is the most familiar painful musculoskeletal condition often caused by Myofascial Trigger Point (MTrP). The study objective was to determine the frequency of MTrP in the upper trapezius muscle and investigate its associating factors among physical therapists. Methodology: A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted over 258 male and female physical therapists between 20 to 45 years of age with at least 4 working hours/day. The participants filled a selfstructured questionnaire, and bilateral upper trapezius MTrP was identified through the investigator's physical assessment. SPSS version 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for all categorical variables. Pearson chi-square test was used to compare the association of MTrP with age group, gender, and workplace. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 258 samples, 70.5 % (n=182) were found to have MTrP in the upper trapezius muscle. Within our group, the overall frequency of latent MTrP, i.e. 71.4 %, was higher than active MTrP. Poor ergonomics of the workplace, lack of maintaining ideal posture, sleep deprivation, and emotional/psychological stress were the most rated associated factors. Conclusion: Our study provides preliminary evidence suggesting a high-frequency rate of MTrP in the upper trapezius muscle. This study also suggested a few associated factors which are the cause of developing MTrP. These factors may be useful for developing guidelines for the risk factors and intervention of upper trapezius pain.

Research paper thumbnail of Frequency of median nerve tightness and its association with upper limb functions among smartphone users of a public sector university, Karachi

Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, Mar 1, 2022

Objective: To determine median nerve tightness in smartphone users, and to compare the upper limb... more Objective: To determine median nerve tightness in smartphone users, and to compare the upper limb functions between those with and without median nerve tightness. Method: The cross-sectional, observational study was conducted at the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from March 2020 to January 2021, and comprised subjects of either gender aged 20-40 years who had been using smartphone for &amp;gt;1 year. Body mass index was calculated. The participants were evaluated using upper extremity functional index-15. A hand-held dynamometer was used to assess handgrip strength, and a pinch meter assessed the pinch strength. Manual upper limb tension test 1 was used for median nerve tightness. Frequencies and percentages were drawn for all categorical variables. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. Results: Of the 277 subjects, 198(71.5%) were females. The largest group 176(63.5%) was aged 21-25 years. The mean upper limb functional index was 84.24±15.09. Also, 113(40.8%) subjects were positive for left-side median nerve tightness and 122(44%) were positive on the right side. There was no significant association between median nerve tightness and upper extremity function (p&amp;gt;0.05). The association, however, was significant with the duration of mobile usage in years (p&amp;lt;0.05). Conclusion: Prolonged overuse of smartphone may lead to symptoms of median nerve tightness, but it was not found to have an effect on upper limb function, handgrip and pinch strength. Key Words: Adults, Dynamometer, Hand strength, Middle-aged people, Mobile phone, Pinch strength, Upper extremity.

Research paper thumbnail of Frequency of median nerve tightness and its association with upper limb functions among smartphone users of a public sector university, Karachi

Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 2022

Objective: To determine median nerve tightness in smartphone users, and to compare the upper limb... more Objective: To determine median nerve tightness in smartphone users, and to compare the upper limb functions between those with and without median nerve tightness. Method: The cross-sectional, observational study was conducted at the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from March 2020 to January 2021, and comprised subjects of either gender aged 20-40 years who had been using smartphone for >1 year. Body mass index was calculated. The participants were evaluated using upper extremity functional index-15. A hand-held dynamometer was used to assess handgrip strength, and a pinch meter assessed the pinch strength. Manual upper limb tension test 1 was used for median nerve tightness. Frequencies and percentages were drawn for all categorical variables. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. Results: Of the 277 subjects, 198(71.5%) were females. The largest group 176(63.5%) was aged 21-25 years. The mean upper limb functional index w...

Research paper thumbnail of Frequency of Myofascial Trigger Point in upper trapezius muscle and its associating factors among Physical therapist in Karachi, Pakistan: A cross-sectional survey

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENDORSING HEALTH SCIENCE RESEARCH (IJEHSR), 2020

Background: Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is the most familiar painful musculoskeletal condition... more Background: Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is the most familiar painful musculoskeletal condition often caused by Myofascial Trigger Point (MTrP). The study objective was to determine the frequency of MTrP in the upper trapezius muscle and investigate its associating factors among physical therapists. Methodology: A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted over 258 male and female physical therapists between 20 to 45 years of age with at least 4 working hours/day. The participants filled a selfstructured questionnaire, and bilateral upper trapezius MTrP was identified through the investigator's physical assessment. SPSS version 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for all categorical variables. Pearson chi-square test was used to compare the association of MTrP with age group, gender, and workplace. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 258 samples, 70.5 % (n=182) were found to have MTrP in the upper trapezius muscle. Within our group, the overall frequency of latent MTrP, i.e. 71.4 %, was higher than active MTrP. Poor ergonomics of the workplace, lack of maintaining ideal posture, sleep deprivation, and emotional/psychological stress were the most rated associated factors. Conclusion: Our study provides preliminary evidence suggesting a high-frequency rate of MTrP in the upper trapezius muscle. This study also suggested a few associated factors which are the cause of developing MTrP. These factors may be useful for developing guidelines for the risk factors and intervention of upper trapezius pain.