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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.
The study participants will be right-handed upper string musicians (violinists and violists) aged 18 years and older. Participants must have at least 5 years of playing experience and practice more than 6 hours per week.
Neck pain group: non-specific neck pain (between superior nuchal line and T1) lasting at least 2 weeks with NRS ≥3.
Healthy control group: no neck/shoulder pain history in the past year, matched for age, gender, handedness, playing experience (>5 years), and practice hours (>6 hours/week).
The study involves arm elevation (0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°); open string playing (at 60-120 bpm); A major scale (at 60-120 bpm); E major scale (at 60-120 bpm); and Vittorio Monti Csárdás.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| upper string musicians (healthy group) | upper string musicians without non-specific neck pain |
| |
| upper string musicians (neck pain group) | upper string musicians with non-specific neck pain |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| motion capture system, surface electromyography | Device | Arm elevation (0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°), open string playing, scale practice, and musical piece performance |
|
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical muscles activation during arm elevation and dynamic instrument-playing tasks | Muscle activation levels of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and cervical extensors (CE) will be measured using surface electromyography (sEMG) during arm elevation and dynamic instrument-playing tasks. Data will be normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) and expressed as root mean square (RMS) amplitude. |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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upper string musicians
| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YIN-LIANG LIN, PhD | Contact | +886-2-28267288 | yllin1020@nycu.edu.tw | |
| HSUAN-I SU, MS | Contact | pt313262019.be13@nycu.edu.tw |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| YIN-LIANG LIN, PhD | National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University | Recruiting | Taipei | Taiwan | 112 | Taiwan |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D004576 | Electromyography |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D004568 | Electrodiagnosis |
| D019937 | Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures |
| D003933 | Diagnosis |
| D009213 | Myography |
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| : Through study completion, an average of 1 hour |
| Cervical kinematic during arm elevation and dynamic instrument-playing tasks | Three-dimensional movement of the cervical spine will be measured using the VIPER electromagnetic tracking system during arm elevation and dynamic instrument-playing tasks. Data will be expressed in degrees. | Through study completion, an average of 1 hour |
| Shoulder muscle strength | Isometric muscle strength of the upper/lower trapezius, and serratus anterior muscles will be evaluated using a hand-held dynamometer (MicroFET2). Data will be expressed in kilograms (kg). | Immediately during the experiment |
| Cervical and Shoulder mobility | cervical range of motion (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation) will be measured using CROM. Shoulder range of motion will be measured using inclinometer. Data will be expressed in degrees (°). | Immediately during the experiment |
| Shoulder muscle length test | Resting length of the pectoralis minor and levator scapulae muscles will be measured using a tape measure and vernier caliper. Pectoralis minor index (PMI) and levator scapulae index (LSI) will be calculated and expressed as percentages (%). Pectoralis major flexibility assessed in supine via ability to rest the posterior shoulder flat on the table (pass/fail). | Immediately during the experiment |
| Postural Angles (CVA and FSA) | Craniovertebral angle (CVA) and forward shoulder angle (FSA) will be measured using digital photography to assess static head and shoulder posture. | Immediately during the experiment |