Pressure pain sensitivity, thermographic changes, function, life and sleep quality in patients with unilateral rotator cuff injury: A case-control study

Faruk Tanık; Merve Keskin; Derya Özer Kaya

doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102860

Pressure pain sensitivity, thermographic changes, function, life and sleep quality in patients with unilateral rotator cuff injury: A case-control study

Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2023 Oct:67:102860. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102860. Epub 2023 Sep 17.

Authors

Faruk Tanık¹, Merve Keskin², Derya Özer Kaya²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Health Sciences Institute, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey. Electronic address: tanikfaruk@gmail.com.
² Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey.

PMID: 37741010
DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102860

Abstract

Introduction-aim: This study aimed to assess pressure pain sensitivity, thermographic changes, functional status, quality of life, and sleep in individuals with unilateral shoulder pain due to rotator cuff tear and compare these parameters with the unaffected side and asymptomatic individuals.

Material-method: Thirty-two patients with unilateral rotator cuff injury and 32 volunteers without shoulder problems were included. Pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale, pressure pain sensitivity with a digital algometer, thermographic changes with a thermal camera, upper extremity function through the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Disability Questionnaire, sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and quality of life using SF-36.

Results: Pressure pain sensitivity of the deltoideus, supraspinatus, and subscapularis muscles in the affected limb was lower than in the unaffected limb (p = 0.027, p = 0.005, p < 0.001). Conversely, pressure sensitivity of the deltoideus, biceps brachii, and subscapularis muscles was higher in the patient group (p = 0.008, p = 0.042, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a decrease in temperature was observed in all patients, except for the trapezius muscles of the affected side (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: This study sheds light on altered pressure pain sensitivity and thermographic changes in individuals with unilateral shoulder pain due to rotator cuff tear. Additionally, the study highlights impairments in functional status, quality of life, and sleep in these individuals, emphasizing the broader impact of such injuries. Targeted interventions based on these findings have the potential to enhance overall well-being and functional outcomes for affected individuals.

Level of evidence: Level III, Case-control study, prognosis study.

Keywords: Pain sensitivity; Quality of life; Shoulder pain; Sleep; Soft tissue; Thermography.