Investigating the Upper Trapezius Muscle's Role in Chronic Shoulder Pain

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study examines the structure and function of the upper trapezius muscle in individuals suffering from chronic shoulder pain. It aims to explore how factors such as muscle morphology, activation distribution, and psychosocial elements like fear avoidance beliefs influence muscle activation during functional movements. By comparing patients with chronic shoulder pain to healthy controls, the study seeks to identify the interplay between muscle quality and various pain-related characteristics. The findings could help bridge existing gaps in understanding the upper trapezius muscle's role in chronic shoulder pain.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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

Where it's running

• National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
  Taipei, Taiwan Recruiting

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.