Effect of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Trapezius Muscle Stiffness

NCT06934668 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: ESWT_Trapezius
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Muscle Stiffness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Trapezius Muscle Stiffness

  Muscle stiffness of the upper trapezius will be measured using shear-wave elastography (SWE). The measure represents the shear modulus (in kilopascals) of the muscle tissue, as quantified by ultrasound imaging. Measurements will be taken with the participant in a standardized seated position, with minimal muscle activity.

  Baseline and Immediately Post-Intervention

Study Arms (2)

ESWT

EXPERIMENTAL

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).

Device: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

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.

Interventions

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy DEVICE

A single session of focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) applied to the upper trapezius muscle (2300 shocks). The treatment is applied to the muscle belly region with coupling gel, without local anesthesia. The protocol is designed to assess the acute effects of ESWT on muscle stiffness measured using shear-wave elastography.

ESWT

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Primorska: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola

Izola, Municipality of Izola, 6310, Slovenia

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Ultrasonic Therapy; Diathermy; Hyperthermia, Induced; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation

Study Officials

• Kozinc, PhD

  University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

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: PhD, Assistant professor

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to either an ESWT intervention group or a control group for comparison of changes in muscle stiffness.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 11, 2025
• First Posted: April 18, 2025
• Study Start: April 24, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 25, 2025
• Study Completion: June 10, 2025
• Last Updated: April 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SL (1)