Triggerpunkt-Behandlungs-Tool zur Selbsttherapie von Myogelosen im Berufsumfeld – eine Anwendungsbeobachtung

Trigger point treatment tool for self-therapy of myogelosis in the professional environment – An observational study Aim: There is a large number of occupations where workplace-associated movement patterns and/or forced postures lead to muscle tension in the shoulders and back. These tensions have a direct detrimental impact on the quality of life and capacity for work of those affected. In the medium to long term, they also promote the development of structural degeneration of the musculoskeletal system. If employees in the healthcare sector are affected, this impairs high-quality patient care. The trigger point self-treatment tool “TensionTerminator” (ErgoPhysion, Innsbruck, Austria) was developed for the self-therapy of such tension conditions in the workplace. The use of this device was evaluated as part of an application observation in six departments at Vienna General Hospital (AKH). Methods: Six departments at Vienna General Hospital from the areas of surgery, laboratory medicine, internal medicine and radiology were each provided with a “TensionTerminator” device for independent use for 4 months between May 2023 and March 2024. A contact person in each department was trained in the use of the device and how to handle the documentation. As part of the observation, users were asked to independently enter their user ID, the duration of use and their subjective assessment of the effect (“better”/”worse”/”no change”) in a list each time they used the device. Results: During the test period, a total of 430 uses by 145 users were documented in the six departments, i.e. an average of almost 3 uses per person. The average application duration was 6.5 minutes. In 85.1% of all uses, the patient’s condition after use was described as “better”, and in 14% of all cases as “no change”. One of the 430 uses received a negative rating (“worse”). Conclusion: The trigger point self-treatment tool “TensionTerminator” has proven to be an effective device against workplace-associated muscle tension. It was received very well in the hospital setting and was used regularly. Keywords: workplace health promotion – back pain – myogelosis – myofascial trigger points