Quantification of Upper Trapezius Muscle Stiffness Using Supersonic Shear Wave Imaging: Efficacy of Workplace-based Exercise Programme to Reduce Neck and Shoulder Disorders in Working Population

NCT ID: NCT04144764

Last Updated: 2020-11-12

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: UNKNOWN
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 100 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2019-11-09
• Study Completion Date: 2022-09-30

Brief Summary

Objectives: (1) To examine the upper trapezius muscle stiffness using SSI in workers with and without neck/shoulder disorders; and (2) to develop a workplace-based exercise programme to reduce upper trapezius muscle stiffness and to enhance shoulder function and work ability in the working population.

Hypotheses to be tested: (1) Workers with neck/shoulder disorders demonstrate increase upper trapezius muscle stiffness when compared to healthy control; and a cutoff value of the upper trapezius stiffness was established for early identification of individuals at risk of having neck/shoulder disorders in the working population; (2) Workplace-based exercise programme can reduce upper trapezius muscle stiffness and enhance shoulder function and work ability in the working population.

Design: Part A study: Cross-sectional study; Part B study: randomized controlled trial

Subjects: One-hundred office computer workers with or without neck/shoulder pain

Study instruments: Supersonic shear wave imaging

Main outcome measures: Upper trapezius muscle stiffness, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), Neck Disability Index, Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), work ability index (WAI).

Data analysis: Between-group comparisons to show differences in the outcome measures will be analyzed using Independent t-test. To compare the treatment effects, repeated-measures analysis of variance test (between-group factor: intervention vs control; within-subject factor: time (baseline, 6 week and 1 year)).

Expected results: Workers with neck/shoulder disorders demonstrate increase upper trapezius muscle stiffness when compared to healthy control. Workplace-based exercise programme can reduce upper trapezius muscle stiffness and enhance shoulder function and work ability in the working population.

Conditions

Neck Pain; Shoulder Pain

Keywords

upper trapezius; muscle stiffness

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Workplace-based exercise group

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Workplace-based exercise

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants will have to perform 10-week of workplace-based exercise programme which consist of 5 sessions of 10 minutes per week. The workplace-based exercise programme will consist of general stretching and strengthening exercise using resistance tubing for both the neck and upper limb. Specific rotator cuff and scapular muscles strengthening exercise were also included to enhance glenohumeral and scapular kinematics (Appendix). Each participant will receive a set of elastic resistance tubing that comprise red (2kg), green (3kg) and blue (4kg). The exercise programme will be taught by physiotherapist during their baseline assessment. They will be asked to train at the workplace during workdays (Monday to Friday), five times a week during the 10-week intervention. The program built on the principle of progressive overload.

Control group

Group Type: SHAM_COMPARATOR

Ergonomic advice and education

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants will receive ergonomic training and education on how to adjust their workstations to reduce the ergonomic risk factors when using computers.

Interventions

Workplace-based exercise

Participants will have to perform 10-week of workplace-based exercise programme which consist of 5 sessions of 10 minutes per week. The workplace-based exercise programme will consist of general stretching and strengthening exercise using resistance tubing for both the neck and upper limb. Specific rotator cuff and scapular muscles strengthening exercise were also included to enhance glenohumeral and scapular kinematics (Appendix). Each participant will receive a set of elastic resistance tubing that comprise red (2kg), green (3kg) and blue (4kg). The exercise programme will be taught by physiotherapist during their baseline assessment. They will be asked to train at the workplace during workdays (Monday to Friday), five times a week during the 10-week intervention. The program built on the principle of progressive overload.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Ergonomic advice and education

Participants will receive ergonomic training and education on how to adjust their workstations to reduce the ergonomic risk factors when using computers.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Office computer workers who worked for a minimum of four hours per day using a computer
• With or without neck/shoulder pian

Exclusion Criteria

• Involved regular strength training of the neck/upper extremities within the past 12 months;
• history of whiplash, neck/upper limb fractures, previous surgery and previous clinical treatment for a neck/upper limb injury within the last 12 months;
• Fibromyalgia;
• Pregnancy;
• Neurological disorders.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Chinese University of Hong Kong

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

LEONG Hio Teng

Research Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

CUHK-ORT Sports Injury Research Laboratory

Hong Kong, , Hong Kong

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Hong Kong

Central Contacts

Hio Teng Leong, PhD

Role: CONTACT

Phone: (852)35053535

Email: annieleonght@cuhk.edu.hk

Facility Contacts

Hio Teng Leong, PhD

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

2019.269

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id