Relationship between Alexithymia and latent trigger points in the upper Trapezius

Area of Science:

• Musculoskeletal health
• Psychophysiology
• Pain research

Background:

• Latent trigger points (LTrPs) are sensitive areas in muscle that can cause pain when activated.
• Few studies have investigated risk factors for LTrPs.
• Alexithymia, characterized by difficulty identifying and describing emotions, has been anecdotally linked to myofascial pain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between alexithymia and the presence of LTrPs in the upper trapezius muscle of healthy individuals.
• To explore alexithymia as a potential risk factor for LTrPs.

Main Methods:

• 160 healthy participants (80 male, mean age 40.5 years) were assessed for LTrPs via manual examination.
• Participants completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
• Correlation and risk factor analyses were performed to assess associations between LTrPs, alexithymia, and depression.

Main Results:

• LTrPs were found in 47.5% of participants.
• Higher TAS-20 scores (indicating greater alexithymia) were significantly associated with the presence of LTrPs (p < 0.001).
• No significant association was found between LTrPs and depression (BDI scores). Age and TAS-20 scores were significant risk factors for LTrPs.

Conclusions:

• Alexithymia is significantly associated with the presence of LTrPs in the upper trapezius muscle in healthy individuals.
• Alexithymia may serve as a valuable predictive factor for identifying individuals at risk of developing LTrPs.
• Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms underlying this association.