World Physiotherapists & Physicians Summit

Background & Aim: Neck and shoulder pain can be a disabling and recurrent disorders characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation, so too does the prevalence of musculoskeletal dysfunction (MSD). Even the overactive and underactive muscles in the neck region lead to poor performance of upper extremity function also. The upper body dysfunction (UBD) screening chart was developed to assist in the detection of MSD. Although varying musculoskeletal assessment has been used, components of UBD screening chart had combined kinematic analysis and muscular imbalance due to the recurrent problems. Expanding the UBD screening chart use in health care system may improve the detection of MSD allowing for earlier treatment. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the use of the UBD screening chart in health care by comparing the results of assessments of orthopedic surgeon with those of physiotherapist.

Methods: Patients from 25-45 years old recruited from an orthopedic health center were examined by an orthopedician and a physiotherapist who recorded the appearance of each participant's posture and the appearance and movement of the shoulder, neck and thoracic spine by deeming them normal or abnormal. UBD scores were compared between the investigators with the proportion of observed (P_obs), positive (P_pos) and negative (P_neg) agreement being the primary outcomes. Kappa statistics were also calculated.

Results: A total of 100 patients consented to participate who were previously diagnosed has MSD. Results showed reasonable agreement between the orthopedician and physiotherapist; P_obs=0.698, P_pos=0.614 and P_neg=0.752. The coefficient of agreement (estimated Kappa) was 0.3675 for the composite UBD score. For individual components of the UBD exam, the highest agreement between orthopedician and physiotherapist was in the assessment of posture and muscle imbalance.

Conclusion: Previously reported recurrent increase in signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal conditions has highlighted the need for a simple yet sensitive screening exam for the identification of musculoskeletal abnormalities. Results of this study suggest that health care practitioners can efficiently use the UBD chart examination in the assessment of populations with a high proportion of musculoskeletal issues.

Recent Publications

1. P Senthil, et al. (2015) Effectiveness of global posture re-education on pain and improving quality of life in women with chronic neck pain. International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health; 1(4): 07-09.

2. Senthil P, Sudhakar S, R Radhakrishnan (2016) Isolated activation of deep cervical flexors in chronic neck pain. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy; 10(2): 121-124.

3. P Senthil, R Radhakrishnan (2016) Normative data and intra-reliability of push-pull dynamometer on normal healthy college students. IJHSR ISSN: 2249-9571.

4. P Senthil, S Sudhakar, R Radhakrishnan (2016) Effect of thoracic correction exercises in upper body dysfunction of 94-year-old male participant: A case report. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 10(12): YD01-YD02.