ABSTRACT

Aims:

The aim of this study is to determine whether there is a difference in triggering factors of myofascial pain, the frequency, professional help seeking, the use of exercise, and the use of drugs between the students of the medical faculty and the other faculties.

Methods:

This survey study was conducted among 200 voluntary Trakya University students; 100 of them were from the medical faculty and the other 100 were from the other faculties. All participants suffered from myofascial pain. ‘‘Standardized Nordic Questionnaires for The Analysis of Musculoskeletal Symptoms’’ has been used to prepare the questionnaires. Chi-Square test was used for statistical analysis.

Results:

It was found that the most common trigger factor of myofascial pain is studying. In the medical faculties, the proportion was 62% and in the other faculties, it was 44%. The second most common factor was the usage of computers (medical faculty students (16%) other faculty students (27%)). Pain frequency was more than 5 times a week among medical school students it was 32% and 40% among the other faculty students. 34% of medical school students and 17% of other faculties’ students were doing exercise to relieve myofascial pain. 18% of medical faculty students and 33% of other faculties’ students were taking medication to relieve myofascial pain. 15% of medical faculty students and 18% of other faculties’ students at least once consulted a doctor because of myofascial pain.

Conclusion:

There was no significant difference found in terms of triggering factors and frequency of pain. However, usage of medication and participating in regular exercise were found to be significantly different between medical students and other faculties’ students.