To assess the combined effect of therapeutic ultrasound and trigger point release in alleviating neck pain and improving functional disabilities among professional computer users: A quasi experimental study

Back ground: Neck pain is the most prevalent disorder in working population. Neck pain is commonly experienced from the region of base of the skull at ear level to the upper part of the back or shoulder. Professional computer users suffer from neck pain due to incorrect posture and static positions for longer duration. Purpose: Neck pain is the fourth primary reason of disability. Neck pain and computer professionals are connected following of continuous sitting in a particular position for longer duration with no intervals to stretch the muscles of neck. Hence, to find combined effect of therapeutic ultrasound and trigger point release in alleviating neck pain and improving functional disabilities in professional computer users the study was conducted. Method: Participants age group between 20-40 years with neck pain for more than 3 months duration were selected. Demographic data including name, age, gender of every subject was recorded. Baseline measurements were taken by Visual Analogue Scale on Pain intensity, Cervical Range of Motion, Neck disabilities Index. Discussion: The aim of this study was to find the combined effect of therapeutic ultrasound and trigger point release in alleviating neck pain and improving functional disabilities in professional computer users. The present study found significant results of combined effect of above mentioned treatment on pain intensity, cervical range of motion and functional disabilities of neck.研究背景：颈痛是职场从业人群中最为高发的疾患。其常见发病区域为耳水平位的颅底区域，向上延伸至背部上段或肩部。职业电脑使用者因长期维持错误姿势与固定体位，易罹患颈痛。 研究目的：颈痛是导致残疾的第四大主要诱因。职业电脑从业者若长期保持某一固定坐姿且无间隔放松颈部肌肉，便易罹患颈痛，二者存在明确关联。因此本研究旨在探究治疗性超声与触发点释放联合疗法，对职业电脑使用者颈痛的缓解效果及颈部功能障碍的改善作用。 研究方法：选取年龄介于20~40岁、颈痛病程超过3个月的受试者作为研究对象。记录所有受试者的人口学资料，包括姓名、年龄与性别。采用视觉模拟评分法（Visual Analogue Scale, VAS）、颈椎活动度（Cervical Range of Motion, CROM）及颈部残疾指数（Neck Disabilities Index, NDI）开展基线测量。 讨论：本研究旨在探究治疗性超声与触发点释放联合疗法对职业电脑使用者颈痛的缓解效果及颈部功能障碍的改善作用。本研究结果显示，上述联合疗法对受试者的疼痛强度、颈椎活动度及颈部功能障碍均具有显著改善效果。