Effect of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Trapezius Muscle Stiffness (ESWT-Trapezius)

University of Primorska

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Muscle Stiffness

Treatments: Device: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06934668

ESWT_Trapezius

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will examine whether extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) can reduce stiffness in the upper trapezius muscle. Muscle stiffness will be measured using a special ultrasound technique called shear-wave elastography (SWE), which allows researchers to assess changes in muscle properties. The aim of the study is to better understand if ESWT is effective in improving muscle function and reducing discomfort in this region. Healthy volunteers will be enrolled, and measurements will be taken before and after the ESWT treatment.

Full description

This interventional study investigates the acute effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on the mechanical properties of the upper trapezius muscle, with a specific focus on muscle stiffness. Stiffness will be quantified using shear-wave elastography (SWE), a non-invasive ultrasound-based imaging modality that allows for real-time assessment of tissue elasticity.

Participants will undergo baseline SWE measurements of the upper trapezius muscle, followed by the application of a standardized ESWT protocol. Post-treatment measurements will be conducted immediately after the intervention to evaluate acute changes in stiffness. The primary objective is to determine whether a single session of ESWT induces measurable changes in muscle mechanical properties.

This study will contribute to the growing body of evidence regarding the physiological effects of ESWT on skeletal muscle tissue and its potential application in clinical and sports settings. Data collected will also support the development of future longitudinal studies assessing the therapeutic relevance of ESWT for myofascial dysfunction and musculoskeletal pain syndromes.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age between 18 and 45 years
• Healthy individuals with no current musculoskeletal or neurological disorders
• No history of neck or shoulder surgery
• Willingness to abstain from vigorous upper-body exercise 24 hours prior to -measurements

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of neck or shoulder pain within the past 3 months
• Diagnosed myofascial pain syndrome or fibromyalgia
• History of cervical spine injury or neurological conditions affecting upper limbs
• Use of analgesic or muscle relaxant medication within 48 hours prior to testing
• Pregnancy
• Contraindications to ESWT (e.g., bleeding disorders, pacemaker, malignancy in treatment area)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

ESWT

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this arm will receive a single session of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) applied to the upper trapezius muscle (2300 waves in total).

Treatment:

Device: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

Control group

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants in this arm will not receive any therapeutic intervention. Muscle stiffness of the upper trapezius will be measured at the same time points as in the experimental group using shear-wave elastography, to evaluate the natural variability in stiffness and to serve as a comparison for the effects of ESWT.