Back to Search Start Over

Diaphragmatic Mobility and Chest Expansion in Patients with Scapulocostal Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors :
Thanaporn Srijessadarak
Preeda Arayawichanon
Jaturat Kanpittaya
Yodchai Boonprakob
Source :
Healthcare, Vol 10, Iss 5, p 950 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

Abstract

Scapulocostal syndrome (SCS) is a subset of myofascial pain syndrome affecting the posterior shoulder and upper back area. Some of the affected muscles are attached to the rib cage, which may affect diaphragmatic mobility and chest expansion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of diaphragmatic mobility and chest expansion in patients with SCS. Twenty-nine patients with SCS and twenty-nine healthy participants of a similar age, gender, weight, and height were included in the study. All participants were evaluated for diaphragmatic mobility (DM) by real-time ultrasound (RTUS) and for chest expansion (CE) using a cloth tape measure. An independent t-test was used to compare the outcome variables between groups. The DM value in the SCS group was 46.24 ± 7.26 mm, whereas in the healthy group it was 54.18 ± 9.74 mm. The DM value was lower in the SCS group compared to in healthy participants (p < 0.05). Chest expansion at the axilla, the fourth intercostal space (4th ICS), and the xiphoid level in the SCS group was 7.26 ± 1.13, 6.83 ± 0.94, and 6.86 ± 1.25, respectively, while chest expansion at the axilla, 4th ICS, and xiphoid level in the healthy group was 7.92 ± 1.39, 7.54 ± 1.43, and 8.13 ± 1.32, respectively. Chest expansion at the 4th ICS and the xiphoid level in the SCS group was significantly lower than in the healthy group (p < 0.05). Patients with SCS presented a decrease in diaphragmatic mobility and chest expansion. Therefore, SCS treatment programs ought to add breathing exercises to improve lung expansion.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
22279032
Volume :
10
Issue :
5
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Healthcare
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.54f46b02d7247a880bffced7db4fa6e
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10050950