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

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

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.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 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).

Exclusion Criteria:

• 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.