Scapular Muscle Activation and Shoulder Performance in Migraine

NCT07656922 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026076
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Migraine is a significant health problem due to its high prevalence and substantial contribution to disability. Individuals with migraine have been reported to exhibit myofascial trigger points, increased pain sensitivity, and altered muscle activation patterns, particularly in the trapezius muscles. As the upper and middle trapezius muscles play critical roles in scapular stability and movement, alterations in these muscles may affect scapular orientation and upper extremity function. However, studies investigating the relationship between trapezius muscle activation, scapular orientation, and upper extremity performance in individuals with migraine are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to compare trapezius muscle activation, scapular orientation, and upper extremity performance between individuals with and without migraine. We hypothesized that individuals with migraine would exhibit altered upper and middle trapezius muscle activation, impaired scapular orientation, and reduced upper extremity performance compared with healthy controls.

Conditions

Migraine; Upper Extremity; Muscle Activity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Trapezius muscle activity

  Upper and middle trapezius muscle activations will be assessed on the dominant side using surface electromyography (sEMG). Following skin preparation, EMG sensors will be placed over the upper and middle trapezius muscles according to the recommendations of the Surface Electromyography for the Non-Invasive Assessment of Muscles (SENIAM). Resting muscle activity will be recorded prior to measurements to ensure signal quality. Muscle activations will first be recorded during maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and subsequently during arm elevation in the scapular plane. EMG data will be analyzed using EMGworks software; signals will be filtered, processed using the root mean square (RMS) method, and normalized to each participant's MVIC values, expressed as %MVIC. Additionally, upper trapezius/middle trapezius activation ratios will be calculated, and muscle activation levels will be categorized according to predefined threshold values.

  Single assessment at baseline

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Scapular rotation

  Single assessment at baseline

• Pain

  Single assessment at baseline

• Upper extremity performance

  Single assessment at baseline

Study Arms (2)

Migraine

Control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 55 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults diagnosed with migraine according to the ICHD-3 criteria

You may qualify if:

• Aged 18-55 years
• Diagnosed with migraine by a neurologist according to the ICHD-3 criteria
• Experiencing at least 3 migraine attacks per month
• Willing to participate and provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of other types of headache disorders
• History of trauma, fracture, or surgery involving the cranio-cervical region, scapular region, or upper extremity
• Presence of neurological or inflammatory rheumatic diseases
• Presence of psychiatric disorders
• Receiving physiotherapy or rehabilitation for migraine or the cervical, thoracic, or upper extremity regions within the past 6 months
• Cognitive impairment affecting the understanding of test instructions

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University

Ankara, Çubuk, 06760, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Migraine Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Headache Disorders, Primary; Headache Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 15, 2026
• First Posted: June 18, 2026
• Study Start: April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: July 1, 2026
• Study Completion: July 15, 2026
• Last Updated: June 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Locations

TU (1)