ACUTE EFFECT OF DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING ON POSTOPERATIVE UPPER TRAPEZIUS PAIN

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the acute effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises added to soft tissue mobilization and percussive therapy on pain intensity, functional disability, and pressure pain threshold in operating room nurses experiencing upper trapezius pain after surgery-related work activities. Participants will be operating room nurses working in a hospital operating theater who report upper trapezius pain and tenderness within 30 minutes after completing a surgical procedure. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving soft tissue mobilization, percussive therapy, and diaphragmatic breathing exercises, or a control group receiving soft tissue mobilization and percussive therapy alone. Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), functional disability using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and mechanical pain sensitivity using Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) measurements. Assessments will be performed immediately before and after a single treatment session. The study aims to determine whether the addition of diaphragmatic breathing exercises provides additional benefits in reducing pain and improving function in the acute postoperative working period of operating room nurses.

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged between 22 and 55 years. * Operating room nurse actively working in the hospital operating theater. * Reporting upper trapezius pain and tenderness within 30 minutes after completion of a surgical procedure. * Willing to participate and able to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * History of trauma, surgery, or chronic disease affecting the neck or shoulder region. * Regular participation in breathing exercise programs. * Psychiatric disorders requiring anxiolytic or antidepressant medication. * Pregnancy. * Skin disease, infection, or open wound in the treatment area. * Severe cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled hypertension. * Contraindications to manual therapy, soft tissue mobilization, percussive therapy, or breathing exercises.