CORRELATION OF MYOFASCIAL TRIGGER POINTS WITH UPPER LIMB DISABILITY IN POST MASTECTOMY FEMALES IN PAKISTAN

Aims of Study: The objective was to correlate myofascial trigger points and upper limb disability in post-mastectomy females. Methodology: This six-month duration study included 45 participants aged 18 or older, using non-probability convenience sampling, who had undergone mastectomy at least six months prior. Numeric pain rating scale, Simon’s trigger point criteria and a disability questionnaire were used to assess disease complications. Results: A study involving 45 female participants (mean age 42.8±6.754) found that 33.3% had mild pain, 55.6% had moderate pain, and 11.1% had severe pain. Additionally, 46.7% had mild disability and 53.3% had moderate disability. There was a significant correlation between myofascial trigger points and upper extremity disability. Limitations and Future Implication: The limitations include the small sample size used in study and limited generalization of findings due to cultural and contextual factors. Further research is needed to explore interventions and understand the long-term impact of myofascial trigger points on upper limb function. Originality: This research is original in its focus on the correlation between myofascial trigger points and post-mastectomy upper limb disability. Conclusion: This study concluded that there is a highly significant relation between trigger points in muscles and disability of upper extremity in female patients after mastectomy.

Determinations of Consumer's Purchase Intention of Counterfeit Luxury Product

This study analyzed the influential factors of consumers' purchase intention towards counterfeit luxury products by considering the model of social status, integrity, novelty seeking, and perceived risk. Attitude towards counterfeit product was used as a mediator in the model. The causalities in the model of problematic purchase intention of consumers toward counterfeit luxury products are hypothesized. A total sample of 400 respondents with 385 effective samples was collected by distributing self-administered questionnaires to people from different sectors. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) through AMOS was adopted for the analysis. Consumers' attitude towards counterfeit product was found to be positively and significantly related to purchase intention of counterfeit product. As for personality constructs, social status and novelty seeking were found to be positively related to attitude and purchase intention of counterfeit product while integrity and perceived risk did not show significant relationship. This study urges original manufacturers to focus more precisely on personality related factors of people and also need to work closely with policy makers to hinder counterfeiting activity. Replication of the study in other settings is also recommended. Further academic and managerial implications are presented by the research, limitations and future research directions are also discussed.