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

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Shoulder Pain; Neck Pain

• Registration Number: NCT04144764
• Lead Sponsor: Chinese University of Hong Kong

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.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2019-10-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-10-28
• Study First Posted: 2019-10-30
• Study Start: 2019-11-09
• Status Verified: 2020-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-11-10
• Last Update Posted: 2020-11-12
• Primary Completion: 2022-09-30
• Study Completion: 2022-09-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 100

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.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Upper trapezius muscle stiffness	0, 10-weeks and 1-year	Supersonic shear wave imaging of the upper trapezius muscles

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Shoulder Pain and Disability Score	0, 10-weeks and 1-year	The Chinese Version of the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) questionnaire is a validated self-administered questionnaire to evaluate the shoulder pain and disability scores. The questionnaire consists of 13 items with 2 subscales: pain (5 items) and disability (8 items); and the total final score that range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicate more disability.
Change in Functional score	0, 10-weeks and 1-year	The Chinese Version of the Neck Disability Index and Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH-HKPWH) questionnaire are reliable and validated self-administered questionnaire to evaluate the neck and upper extremity function. The total score is divided by number of answered questions, subtracted 1 and multiplied by 25, in a scale score that range from 0 to 100, with higher scale scores indicate more disability.
Change in Work ability	0, 10-weeks and 1-year	The work ability index (WAI) questionnaire will be used to evaluate the work ability. It composes of 7 items that evaluate: 1) current work ability compared with lifetime best; 2) work ability in relation to job demand; 3) number of current diagnosed disorders; 4) estimated work impairment due to disease; 5) sick leave during the past 12 months; 6) own prognosis of work ability; and 7) mental capacities. The score ranged between 7 to 49, with higher scores indicate better work ability.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

CUHK-ORT Sports Injury Research Laboratory; 🇭🇰 Hong Kong, Hong Kong