Investigating Upper Trapezius Muscle Structure, Function, and Activation in Adults with Chronic Shoulder Pain Compared to Healthy Controls

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the upper trapezius muscles structure and function in people with chronic shoulder pain, focusing on how muscle activation is affected by factors like muscle thickness, fear avoidance beliefs, central sensitization, and somatosensory impairments. The study aims to fill gaps in understanding the relationship between these factors and upper trapezius muscle activation compared to healthy individuals. The study involves two groups individuals with chronic shoulder pain and healthy controls without shoulder pain. It will compare clavicular movement using an electromagnetic tracking system and assess muscle thickness and fat infiltration using ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. Researchers will analyze shoulder movement, muscle activation patterns, muscle morphology, and fat infiltration to understand differences between the groups. Participants will undergo various evaluations including measurements of shoulder movement, muscle activation, oscillation frequency, stiffness, muscle thickness, fat content, pain intensity, disability level, and posture angles. These assessments will be performed during the procedure to gather comprehensive data on muscle function and quality. The study is open to adults aged 18 to 50 and includes healthy volunteers for comparison. Total participation details depend on individual assessments and study timelines.

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