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

NCT06472349 · tracked via the Priya Life Science Taiwan tracker

Sponsor

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

Phase

Observational

Started

2023-12-12

Last updated

2026-04-14

Condition(s) studied

Chronic Shoulder Pain

Study summary

Prior research has explored factors influencing muscle activation, including muscle thickness, fear avoidance beliefs (kinesiophobia), and somatosensory integration. In individuals with chronic shoulder pain, various characteristics impacting symptoms and treatment outcomes have been identified, such as psychosocial factors, fear avoidance, central sensitization, somatosensory impairments, and brain morphology changes. These shared characteristics affecting both muscle activation and chronic shoulder pain may potentially modulate upper trapezius muscle activation during functional movements in patients with chronic shoulder pain. Notably, there remains a gap in the literature concerning investigations into the upper trapezius muscle's morphology and quality, fear avoidance, central sensitization, somatosensory impairments, and their interplay with upper trapezius muscle activation in chronic shoulder pain patients.

To address these gaps, this study aims to: this study aims to: 1) compare different methods of measuring clavicular kinematics using an electromagnetic tracking system; 2) establish the reliability and validity of measuring muscle thickness and fat infiltration through ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging; 3) compare shoulder kinematics, muscle activation, muscle morphology, and muscle fat infiltration in individuals with chronic shoulder pain with matched healthy controls; 4) explore the correlation between the factors that may influence upper trapezius muscle activation, including basic data of the subjects, muscle morphology, and muscle fat infiltration.

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Min age

18 Years

Max age

50 Years

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

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

Primary outcome measure(s)

Shoulder kinematics — During the procedure
The scapular kinematics will be assessed, including scapular internal/external rotation, upward/downward rotation, and posterior/anterior tilt angle. Clavicular kinematics will be evaluated by measuring clavicular protraction/retraction, elevation/depression, and posterior rotation angle.
Muscle activation — During the procedure
The average root mean square (RMS) value collected from surface EMG and outcomes collected by high-density EMG including average root mean square (RMS) value in whole/upper/lower regions, the RMS value distribution, and position of the barycentre of RMS distribution in different humeral elevation angles and different isometric shoulder and scapular tasks will be the outcome measures related to muscle activation.

Trial sites (1)

Facility	City	Region	Status
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University	Taipei	Taiwan	Recruiting

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Official registry record

This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.

View NCT06472349 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ ← All trials in Taiwan