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

NCT04144764 | Unknown

• 1 other identifier: 2019.269
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Neck Pain; Shoulder Pain

Keywords

upper trapezius; muscle stiffness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Upper trapezius muscle stiffness

  Supersonic shear wave imaging of the upper trapezius muscles

  0, 10-weeks and 1-year

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Shoulder Pain and Disability Score

  0, 10-weeks and 1-year

• Change in Functional score

  0, 10-weeks and 1-year

• Change in Work ability

  0, 10-weeks and 1-year

Study Arms (2)

Workplace-based exercise group

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Workplace-based exercise

Control group

SHAM COMPARATOR

Other: Ergonomic advice and education

Interventions

Workplace-based exercise OTHER

Participants will have to perform 10-week of workplace-based exercise programme which consist of 5 sessions of 10 minutes per week. The workplace-based exercise programme will consist of general stretching and strengthening exercise using resistance tubing for both the neck and upper limb. Specific rotator cuff and scapular muscles strengthening exercise were also included to enhance glenohumeral and scapular kinematics (Appendix). Each participant will receive a set of elastic resistance tubing that comprise red (2kg), green (3kg) and blue (4kg). The exercise programme will be taught by physiotherapist during their baseline assessment. They will be asked to train at the workplace during workdays (Monday to Friday), five times a week during the 10-week intervention. The program built on the principle of progressive overload.

Workplace-based exercise group

Ergonomic advice and education OTHER

Participants will receive ergonomic training and education on how to adjust their workstations to reduce the ergonomic risk factors when using computers.

Control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

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

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Chinese University of Hong Kong: lead

Study Sites (1)

CUHK-ORT Sports Injury Research Laboratory

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain; Shoulder Pain

Interventions

Educational Status

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Arthralgia; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Socioeconomic Factors; Population Characteristics

Central Study Contacts

Hio Teng Leong, PhD

CONTACT

(852)35053535; annieleonght@cuhk.edu.hk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 24, 2019
• First Posted: October 30, 2019
• Study Start: November 9, 2019
• Primary Completion: September 30, 2022
• Study Completion: September 30, 2022
• Last Updated: November 12, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-11

Locations

HK (1)