The reliability in determining the deep fascia displacement of the upper trapezius during cervical movement: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Restricted shoulder fascia displacement may be an etiological factor for myofascial pain syndrome. A diagnostic ultrasound video can follow deep fascia displacement during active cervical movements. Trackers can be applied to videos to convert deep fascia displacement into data points. This study reports on assessors' reliability in evaluating direction and quantifying upper trapezius' deep fascia displacement during active cervical movements. METHODS: PT-Sonographer 1 recorded deep fascia displacement of upper trapezius for three sets using HS1 Konica Minolta diagnostic ultrasound. The recording sequence used was cervical flexion, extension, right lateral flexion, left lateral flexion, right rotation, and left rotation. The three assessors used the tracker to determine direction of deep fascia displacement. PT-Sonographer 1 used the tracker three times in quantifying deep fascia displacement. Intraclass correlation coefficient and Kappa determined the assessors' intra-tester and inter-tester reliability. RESULTS: Ten participants were included in the study with a mean±(SD) age of 37±(6). All the assessors had acceptable intra-tester reliability in determining deep fascia displacement on tracker (ICC≥0.40). All assessors had clinically unacceptable inter-tester reliability in determining deep fascia displacement when tracking right rotation (ICC < 0.40). PT-Sonographer 1 had clinically unacceptable intra-tester reliability in determining deep fascia displacement when tracking left rotation (ICC<0.40). CONCLUSION: We report clinically acceptable assessors' reliability in determining direction and total deep fascia displacement when tracking diagnostic ultrasound videos of cervical flexion, extension, and lateral flexion. Checking for reliable deep fascia displacements may distinguish MPS from non-MPS individuals increasing the utility of diagnostic ultrasound machine and tracker in clinical practice.

The effectiveness of biomechanical taping and Kinesiotaping on shoulder pain, active range of motion and function of participants with Trapezius Myalgia: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Trapezius Myalgia (TM) is characterized by shoulder pain and dysfunction. Kinesio Taping is commonly used in symptom management of TM. Biomechanical Taping (BMT), a novel intervention, may provide equally effective management. OBJECTIVES: This paper reports on the effectiveness of Biomechanical Taping compared with Kinesio Taping in improving shoulder pain, active range of motion (AROM), and function. METHODS: Two groups of participants with TM were recruited through simple random sampling of participants from nine call centers and purposively-sampled participants from one fast-food chain and one community based rehabilitation center in Manila, Philippines. Participants were randomly allocated to either Kinesio Taping or biomechanical taping group in a double-blind clinical trial. Irrespective of the type of taping, participants performed gentle passive stretching of upper trapezius for six times each held for 30 s on Days 1, 3, and 5. On Days 2 and 4, participants performed gentle passive stretch of upper trapezius three times a day. Pre- and post-intervention measures were taken of Visual Analogue Scale for pain intensity, AROM for shoulder movement, and Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand for function. RESULTS: Of 68 participants, 62 had shoulder symptoms secondary to TM. Similar significant within group improvements were found for Visual Analogue Scale scores, and Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand for biomechanical taping and Kinesio Taping interventions when comparing between group results (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Biomechanical Taping appears to be as effective as Kinesio Taping in the short term in decreasing pain and improving function of individuals with TM. Both taping techniques did not restrict shoulder AROM of included participants. MESH TERMS: Athletic Tape, Myalgia, Pain Measurements, Shoulder Pain NON-MESH TERMS: Biomechanical Taping Technique.

Evidence-based practice training for health professionals in the Philippines.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is integral in the health care system whether in developed or developing countries. Thus, all health professionals need to be trained in EBP. An EBP training program was conducted to health professionals in a developing country, the Philippines. The health professionals (medical doctors and allied health professionals [physical therapists and occupational therapists]) were working in hospitals in Manila, Philippines. The program aimed to build capacity in EBP in terms of knowledge and skills. The EBP training program was conducted as a 1-day face-to-face training. Pre- and post-test measures of EBP knowledge and skills were taken prior to and immediately after the 1-day training, using the Fresno test of evidence-based medicine for the medical doctors and the Adapted Fresno test for the allied health professionals. The EBP training program resulted in significant improvements in knowledge and skills for both the medical doctors (change in pre- and post-Fresno test measures, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.6-23.5; P≤0.05) and the allied health professionals (change in pre- and post-Adapted Fresno test measures, 95% CI: 32.7-38.5; P≤0.05). The EBP training conducted amongst the health professionals is an effective and tested undertaking in introducing EBP in developing countries such as the Philippines.