Correlation between abdominal and scapular muscle strength in upper back pain patients with and without scapulocostal syndrome

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Published: Sep 3, 2016
Keywords:
Scapular muscles abdominal muscle scapulocostal syndrome muscle strength upper back pain

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Wanatchaporn Supasatean
Master of Sciences Program in Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand
Yodchai Boonprakorb
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand
Torkamol Kamolrat
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand
Lugkana Mator
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand
Paitoon Benjapornlert
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand
Sauwanan Bumrerraj
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand
Supaporn Phadungkit
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the correlation between strength of abdominal and scapular muscles in upper back pain patients with and without scapulocostal syndrome (SCS).


Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 164 patients with upper back pain (85 with SCS and 79 without SCS). Participants were evaluated for strength of abdominal muscles by the double leg lowering test (DLLT) and a pressure biofeedback unit (PBU), whereas strength of scapular muscles was tested by a hand held dynamometer. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between strength of abdominal muscles and scapular muscles. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare abdominal and scapular muscles strength between upper back pain patients with and without SCS.


Results: In DLLT, moderate correlation was found between strength of abdominal muscles and upper trapezius, and left serratus anterior muscles (r = -0.503 to -0.608, p<0.001), whereas, low correlation was found between strength of abdominal muscles and right serratus anterior, and rhomboid muscles (r = -0.493 to -0.499, p<0.001). Muscles strength evaluated by PBU showed moderate correlation between strength of abdominal muscles and rhomboid, serratus anterior, and right upper trapezius muscles (r = 0.522 to 0.569, p<0.001). Meanwhile, low correlation was shown between strength of abdominal muscles and left upper trapezius muscles (r= 0.498, p<0.001). Moreover, strength of muscles in upper back pain patients with SCS was lower significantly compared to upper back pain patients without SCS. The affected muscles consisted of abdominal muscles, upper trapezius, serratus anterior, and rhomboid muscles (p<0.001). However, there was no significant differences of the strength of middle and lower trapezius muscles in both groups.


Conclusion: Low to moderate correlation between strength of abdominal and scapular muscles was found. Moreover, strength of muscles in upper back pain patients with SCS was lower significantly compared to upper back pain patients without SCS. The affected muscles in upper back pain patients with SCS consisted of abdominal muscles, upper trapezius, serratus anterior, and rhomboid muscles (p<0.001).


 


Bull Chiang Mai Assoc Med Sci 2016; 49(2): 323-337. Doi: 10.14456/jams.2016.36


 

Article Details

How to Cite
Supasatean, W., Boonprakorb, Y., Kamolrat, T., Mator, L., Benjapornlert, P., Bumrerraj, S., & Phadungkit, S. (2016). Correlation between abdominal and scapular muscle strength in upper back pain patients with and without scapulocostal syndrome. Journal of Associated Medical Sciences, 49(3), 323. Retrieved from https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/bulletinAMS/article/view/69061
Issue
Vol. 49 No. 3 (2016): September-December
Section
Research Articles

Personal views expressed by the contributors in their articles are not necessarily those of the Journal of Associated Medical Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University.

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