Quantification of Upper Trapezius Muscle Stiffness Using Supersonic Shear Wave Imaging: Efficacy of Workplace-based Exercise Programme to Reduce Neck and Shoulder Disorders in Working Population

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Shoulder Pain

Neck Pain

Treatments

Other: Workplace-based exercise

Other: Ergonomic advice and education

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT04144764

2019.269

Details and patient eligibility

About

Objectives: (1) To examine the upper trapezius muscle stiffness using SSI in workers with and without neck/shoulder disorders; and (2) to develop a workplace-based exercise programme to reduce upper trapezius muscle stiffness and to enhance shoulder function and work ability in the working population.

Hypotheses to be tested: (1) Workers with neck/shoulder disorders demonstrate increase upper trapezius muscle stiffness when compared to healthy control; and a cutoff value of the upper trapezius stiffness was established for early identification of individuals at risk of having neck/shoulder disorders in the working population; (2) Workplace-based exercise programme can reduce upper trapezius muscle stiffness and enhance shoulder function and work ability in the working population.

Design: Part A study: Cross-sectional study; Part B study: randomized controlled trial

Subjects: One-hundred office computer workers with or without neck/shoulder pain

Study instruments: Supersonic shear wave imaging

Main outcome measures: Upper trapezius muscle stiffness, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), Neck Disability Index, Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), work ability index (WAI).

Data analysis: Between-group comparisons to show differences in the outcome measures will be analyzed using Independent t-test. To compare the treatment effects, repeated-measures analysis of variance test (between-group factor: intervention vs control; within-subject factor: time (baseline, 6 week and 1 year)).

Expected results: Workers with neck/shoulder disorders demonstrate increase upper trapezius muscle stiffness when compared to healthy control. Workplace-based exercise programme can reduce upper trapezius muscle stiffness and enhance shoulder function and work ability in the working population.

Enrollment

100 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 65 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Office computer workers who worked for a minimum of four hours per day using a computer
With or without neck/shoulder pian

Exclusion criteria

Involved regular strength training of the neck/upper extremities within the past 12 months;
history of whiplash, neck/upper limb fractures, previous surgery and previous clinical treatment for a neck/upper limb injury within the last 12 months;
Fibromyalgia;
Pregnancy;
Neurological disorders.