K. Waling et al., Perceived pain before and after three exercise programs - a controlled clinical trial of women with work-related trapezius myalgia, PAIN, 85(1-2), 2000, pp. 201-207
The effect of exercise on neck-shoulder pain was studied in 103 women with
work-related trapezius myalgia randomized into three exercise groups and a
control group. One group trained strength, the second muscular endurance an
d the third co-ordination. The exercise groups met three times weekly for 1
0 weeks. Pain assessment was made on three visual analogue scales, indicati
ng pain at present, pain in general and pain at worst. Pain thresholds were
measured in the trapezius muscle with a pressure algometer. A pain drawing
was completed. The rated pain decreased significantly (P < 0.05) on the VA
S describing pain at worst in the strength and endurance groups. Pressure s
ensitivity decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in four triggerpoints in the
exercise groups. No changes were seen in the extent of painful body area in
any group. Comparison of exercisers (n = 82) and controls (n = 21) showed
significantly larger pain reductions on VAS pain at present and VAS pain at
worst among exercisers. All three exercise programs showed similar decreas
es of pain which indicates that the type of exercise is of less importance
to achieve pain reduction. (C) 2000 International Association for the Study
of Pain. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.