Kinematics and Muscle Activity of the Scapula in Violin/Viola Players With Neck 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

In this observational study, right-handed violinists and violists aged 18 or older with at least 5 years of experience and more than 6 hours of practice per week will be recruited, including a neck-pain group and a healthy-control group matched by age, gender, and handedness. Researchers will use motion capture and surface electromyography to analyze scapular kinematics and muscle activation during specific tasks such as arm elevations and playing sequences (open strings, major scales, and Csárdás). Participants with neck pain must have at least 2 weeks of non-specific neck pain and an NRS score of 3 or higher; controls must have no neck or shoulder pain in the past year. Data will compare groups to identify patterns that could inform performance training and rehabilitation for playing-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 18 years old.
* Having at least 5 years of string instrument playing experience and practicing for more than 6 hours per week.
* For the neck pain group: Experiencing non-specific neck pain for at least 2 weeks, with pain located between the superior nuchal line and the T1 spinous process, and a pain intensity of at least 3 on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS ≥ 3).
* For the healthy control group: Having no history of neck or shoulder pain within the past year (matched with the neck pain group by age, gender, and handedness).

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of any neck or shoulder surgery or fracture.
* Experiencing pain below the elbow with an intensity of at least 3 (NRS ≥ 3).
* Diagnosed history of any structural cervical spine issues, such as herniation of intervertebral disc (HIVD), cervical spine spondylosis, or spondylolisthesis.
* Positive response on any of the following 5 cervical spine screening tests: cervical distraction test, Spurling's test, Valsalva test, rotational alar ligament stress test, or Sharp-Purser test.
* Any neurological disorders.
* Pregnancy during the study period.

Where it's running

• National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
  Taipei, Taiwan, Taiwan Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: YIN-LIANG LIN, PhD — National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
• Study coordinator: YIN-LIANG LIN, PhD
• Email: yllin1020@nycu.edu.tw
• Phone: +886-2-28267288

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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.