Effect of Exams Period on Prevalence of Myofascial Trigger Points in Neck in Secondary School Students

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of exams period on prevalence of myofascial trigger points in the neck in secondary school students. 120 secondary school students with the age of 12-18 years were palpated for MTrP in the upper trapezius, Sternocledoimastoid and levetor scapulae muscles with ordinal ranking (0= no finding,1=tight band, 2=latent MTrP,3= active MTrP). During the semester session and exam session. Pain intensity was measured on Numerical rating Scale scoring from 0 to 10. Participants showed higher prevalence of Myofascial Trigger Point in both Right and Left Upper Trapezius. Greater prevalence of MTrP in Right Sternocleidomastoid in comparison with Left Sternocleidomastoid. Levetor scapulae also showed greater prevalence on Right muscle than on the Left muscle. Students showed higher number of myofascial trigger point in the neck during exam session. It recommended that to minimize the formation of Myofascial Trigger point preventive measures should be taken in exam period.