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：颈痛是职场人群中最为高发的疾患。颈痛的常见发病区域为耳平面颅底至肩背上部区间。职业电脑使用者因长期维持错误姿势与静态体位，易罹患颈痛。 研究目的：颈痛是导致残疾的第四大主要诱因。职业电脑使用者因长时间固定坐姿且无间歇拉伸颈部肌肉，与颈痛的发生密切相关。本研究旨在探究治疗性超声（therapeutic ultrasound）与触发点松解术联合应用，对缓解职业电脑使用者颈痛及改善其颈部功能障碍的联合效应。 研究方法：纳入年龄介于20~40岁、颈痛病程超过3个月的受试者。记录每位受试者的姓名、年龄、性别等人口学数据。采用疼痛视觉模拟评分法（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）开展基线测评。 讨论：本研究旨在探究治疗性超声与触发点松解术联合应用对职业电脑使用者颈痛及颈部功能障碍的改善效应。本研究结果显示，上述联合治疗方案在缓解疼痛强度、改善颈椎活动度及颈部功能障碍方面均取得了显著效果。