This study was carried out to investigate if the measurement of range of motion(ROM) could be applied in the diagnosis of Myofascial Pain Syndrome(MPS) and to determine the severity by analyzing ROM in MPS patients.

The study subjects were 476 female telephone number information service workers. Southampton Protocol and Pittsburgh Protocol were used to diagnose MPS and to measure ROM. ROMs were measured by 2 inclinometers exercising each shoulder passively and actively in 5 directions ; abduction, forward flexion, extension, external rotation, and internal rotation.

Compared to the normal group (n=147), the mean of right side ROM in the subjects (n=270) with same side MPS was 2.1 degrees(SD=11.5) lesser in active extension and 1.7 degrees(SD=10.4) lesser in passive extension. Compared to the mild group (n=210), the mean of right side ROM in the patients with same side severe MPS (n=58) was lesser in all directions. Especially in active forward flexion, passive forward flexion, active extension, passive extension and active external rotation, ROM in the subjects with severe MPS was lesser by 6.5 degrees(SD=13.1), 5.1 degrees(SD=12.8), 5.9 degrees(SD=11.8), 5.0 degrees(SD=10.6) and 3.9 degrees(SD=9.8), respectively, than those of the subjects with mild MPS. Compared to the subjects with left side mild MPS(n=172), ROM in the subjects with left side severe MPS (n=59) was 5.3 degrees(SD=13.3) lesser in active forward flexion.

In this study, ROMs in the subjects with severe MPS tended to be lesser than those in mild patients. This tendency was more prominent in the right side than the left, active range of motion than passive and forward flexion and extension than others. The results of this study are expected to help diagnose shoulder MPS and determine severity.