Abstract

The Association between myofascial pain syndrome and some tests was assessed in a cross-sectional study of 904 female telephone operators using video display terminals(VDTs). 105 cases were diagnosed as Myofascial pain syndrome with symptom questionnaire, laboratory examination and physician's physical examination and 550 controls were defined to show only musculoskeletal symptoms using NIOSH symptom criteria. Data on demographics, musculoskeletal symptom and visual analogue scale(VAS) were obtained by questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements, pressure pain threshold, Grip and Pinch strength and laboratory test were conducted. No significant difference between case and control at comparing of demographics, occupational history and body measurements were observed. But, Grip strength, pressure pain threshold and VAS showed the statistical difference between case and control. Age, pressure pain threshold of Rt. Upper trapezius and VAS were associated with myofascial pain syndrome in multivariate logistic regression analysis. This results suggest that, to diagnose of myofascial pain syndrome, the consideration of the objective aspects among patients' subjective symptom complaints through the VAS and pressure pain threshold is required.

• Keywords: Myofascial pain syndrome;Video display terminals;Visual Analogue Scale(VAS);Grip and Pinch strength;Pressure pain threshold