Evaluating the Effectiveness of Tennis Ball Self-Maneuver on Pain and Disability in Trapezius Myalgia Patients: A Nursing Intervention Study at Sohag University Hospital.

Background: Trapezius myalgia is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition that causes pain and functional limitations. Tennis ball exercise, a simple self-treatment technique, may offer an effective non-pharmacological approach to symptom relief. Aim: Evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of tennis ball exercise in reducing pain intensity and disability among patients diagnosed with trapezius myalgia. Design: A quasi-experimental research design (one-group pretest-posttest) was utilized in this study. Setting: This study was conducted in the Rehabilitation department at Sohag University Hospital, a specialized clinical setting that provides care for patients with musculoskeletal and chronic pain conditions. Subject: A purposive sample of 67 patients with trapezius myalgia was recruited for this study. Tools: Two valid and reliable tools were utilized. Tool one: structured pain assessment questionnaire was used to assess participants’ demographic data, health history, anthropometric measurements, and pain level. Tool two: Function Disability Index (NDI) was utilized to assess the effect of trapezius pain on patients’ ability to perform daily activities. Results: The study sample had a mean age of 33.20 (4.40) years, with females representing the majority (61%). A statistically significant improvement was observed in both trapezius pain levels and the functional disability index across the study phases. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was found between pain levels and functional disability scores throughout the phases (p≤0.05). Conclusion: The standardized training program and therapeutic intervention effectively reduced trapezius myalgia pain and improved functional ability among the study patients over time. The strong correlation between pain reduction and functional improvement highlights the intervention’s clinical relevance.