Kinematics and Muscle Activation of Scapula in Upper String Players With Neck Pain

NCT07448857 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: NYCU114204AE
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will analyze and compare scapular kinematics and muscle activation patterns between upper string musicians with and without neck pain during arm elevation and playing tasks (open strings, scales, musical pieces), providing insights for performance training and rehabilitation programs to reduce playing-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Conditions

Playing Related Musculoskeletal Disorders; Non-specific Neck Pain

Keywords

Non-specific neck pain; upper string musicians; scapular kinematics; muscle activity; shoulder electromyography; Playing Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Scapular muscles activation during arm elevation and dynamic instrument-playing tasks.

  Muscle activation levels of the upper trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior will be measured using surface electromyography (sEMG) during arm elevation (0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°) and dynamic instrument-playing tasks. Data will be normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) and expressed as root mean square (RMS) amplitude.

  Through study completion, an average of 1 hour

• Scapular kinematics during arm elevation and dynamic instrument-playing tasks

  Three-dimensional scapular orientation (upward/downward rotation, internal/external rotation, anterior/posterior tilt) will be measured using an electromagnetic tracking system during arm elevation (0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°) and dynamic instrument-playing tasks. Data will be expressed in degrees.

  Through study completion, an average of 1 hour

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Cervical muscles activation during arm elevation and dynamic instrument-playing tasks

  : Through study completion, an average of 1 hour

• Cervical kinematic during arm elevation and dynamic instrument-playing tasks

  Through study completion, an average of 1 hour

• Shoulder muscle strength

  Immediately during the experiment

• Cervical and Shoulder mobility

  Immediately during the experiment

• Shoulder muscle length test

  Immediately during the experiment

Study Arms (2)

upper string musicians (healthy group)

upper string musicians without non-specific neck pain

Device: motion capture system, surface electromyography

upper string musicians (neck pain group)

upper string musicians with non-specific neck pain

Device: motion capture system, surface electromyography

Interventions

motion capture system, surface electromyography DEVICE

Arm elevation (0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°), open string playing, scale practice, and musical piece performance

upper string musicians (healthy group); upper string musicians (neck pain group)

Eligibility Criteria

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

Study Population

upper string musicians

You may qualify if:

• 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).

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University: lead

Study Sites (1)

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

Taipei, Taiwan, 112, Taiwan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Electromyography

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Electrodiagnosis; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis; Myography

Study Officials

• YIN-LIANG LIN, PhD

  National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

YIN-LIANG LIN, PhD

CONTACT

+886-2-28267288; yllin1020@nycu.edu.tw

HSUAN-I SU, MS

CONTACT

pt313262019.be13@nycu.edu.tw

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 26, 2026
• First Posted: March 4, 2026
• Study Start: May 10, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: May 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TW (1)