Is there any correlation between painful subacromial impingement tests and levels of activity, with or without the presence of trigger points? A prospective study.
Item
- Title
- Is there any correlation between painful subacromial impingement tests and levels of activity, with or without the presence of trigger points? A prospective study.
- Author(s)
- Keen, C
- Abstract
- Title: Is there any correlation between painful subacromial impingement tests and levels of activity, with or without the presence of trigger points? Introduction: The aim of this experiment is to investigate a group of exercisers who engage regularly in intense exercise, with overhead movements, to examine the incidence of subacromial impingement with the presence of myofascial trigger points. It is relevant to osteopathy as it is investigating whether or not there are any other factors to be treated in the management of subacromial impingement that have not been previously considered. Method: A group of 25 participants were taken, who engage in high intensity exercise with overhead movements. They were assessed for subacromial impingement with Hawkins’ Test, Neer’s Sign and Empty Can Test. Following that the rotator cuff muscles were palpated for myofascial trigger points using a protocol informed by Travell and Simmons (1998). Each participant then filled out an exercise questionnaire detailing their exercise history, current shoulder pain and previous injuries. Results: The total scores for both impingement testing and trigger points were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test, which gave a U value of 46.5 and a P value of 0.638 which is statistically not significant. Those suffering with shoulder pain on overhead movements and those with no shoulder pain giving a U value of 42 and a P value of 0.147 meaning there is no significant difference between those suffering shoulder pain overhead and those not, with the incidence of trigger points in the rotator cuff and any signs of subacromial impingement. The statistical testing was repeated to look for any significance between previous injuries and those without, giving a U value was 28.5 and a P value was 0.0524 showing here is no statistical difference between the groups relating to likelihood of developing subacromial impingement and trigger points. Discussion: Despite there being no statistical relevance of any of the findings it does provide a possible basis to expand upon in the future due to the number of limitations of the experiment, from field of research it is suggestive of that a more wider approach to impingement syndromes is necessary for a better appreciation of the findings. However finding that 9 out of 25 participants had pain on overhead movements could be investigated further as case studies to see if an Osteopath could determine the cause of said pain and then subsequently treat it. The experiment also showed that other forms of impingement should be considered as well as other factors about their training such as technique. Conclusion: There is no significant statistical relevance between impingement testing and trigger points, current shoulder pain and trigger points, previous injuries leading ot the development of trigger points and subacromial impingement.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2014
- Date Submitted
- 20.1.2015 16:43:40
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 15503
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Trigger points, Impingement tests
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Keen, C, “Is there any correlation between painful subacromial impingement tests and levels of activity, with or without the presence of trigger points? A prospective study.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 17, 2024, https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/s/orw/item/661