Structure and Function of the Upper Trapezius and Its Role in Chronic Shoulder Pain: an Investigation of Kinematics, Morphology, Muscle Quality and Activation Distribution

Launched by NATIONAL YANG MING CHIAO TUNG UNIVERSITY · Jun 17, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating the upper trapezius muscle, which is located in your upper back and plays a crucial role in shoulder movement, to better understand its connection to chronic shoulder pain. Researchers want to find out how various factors, such as muscle thickness and the impact of fear on movement, can affect how this muscle works in individuals with ongoing shoulder pain. By comparing people with chronic shoulder pain to healthy individuals, the study aims to learn more about the characteristics of the upper trapezius muscle and how it may be involved in shoulder problems.

To be eligible for this study, participants should be between 18 and 50 years old and have experienced shoulder pain on one side for more than three months. They should also have a certain level of pain during movement and meet specific tests indicating shoulder issues. Those without shoulder pain who meet the healthy control criteria are also welcome to participate. Participants can expect to undergo various measurements, including ultrasound and MRI, to assess muscle quality and movement. This research could help improve our understanding of chronic shoulder pain and lead to better treatments in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Chronic shoulder pain group
• • 18-50 years old18-50 years old
• • unilateral and non-traumatic shoulder pain
• • pain duration longer than 3 months
• • pain intensity more than VAS=2 during movement
• • presence 3 of 5 positive pain provocation tests: Hawkins-Kennedy test, Jobe test, or Neer's test Painful Arc, and Resistance Test against External Rotation.
• • Healthy control group
• • presenting no shoulder pain at rest or during daily activities
• • negative results of the pain provocation test: Hawkins-Kennedy test, Jobe test, Neer's test, Painful Arc, Resistance Test against External Rotation and Spurling's neck compression test.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • - Chronic shoulder pain group
• • history of significant shoulder trauma, such as fracture or ultrasonography clinically suspected full thickness cuff tear
• • recent shoulder dislocation in the last 2 years
• • diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis characterized by a gradual and painful loss of both active and passive ROM in all shoulder planes, primarily external rotation
• • shoulder pain originating from the cervical spine by using Spurling's neck compression test
• • shoulder pain owing to the following disorders: arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis of shoulder complex), neurologic (e.g., stroke), neoplastic (e.g., breast cancer). and/or referred pain (e.g., visceral referred pain)
• • corticoid injections over the shoulder during 6 months prior to the study
• • history of shoulder and neck surgery