Age-related Changes of Shoulder Muscles

Completed

• Conditions: Electromyography

• Registration Number: NCT02974452
• Lead Sponsor: University of Alcala

Brief Summary

A cross-sectional descriptive study, in which the surface electromyographic activity of five shoulder muscles was compared in three populations: older adults, middle-aged adults and young adults. The evaluation of the electromyographic data offers a suitable foundation to understand aging process.

This supports that surface electromyography provide information about the aged shoulder muscles. Loss of functionality is suffered by a high percentage of older adults, which greatly limits their physical activity. In this sense, this paper presents findings that might be related with possible therapeutic approaches in subsequent studies.

Detailed Description

The purpose of the present work was to assess neuromotor abnormalities in aging shoulder. Twenty young adults (20-42), 20 middle-aged adults (43-67) and 20older adults (\>68) were recruited. A comparative electromyography (EMG) study was performed on the upper and lower trapezius, middle deltoid, infraspinatus and serratus anterior. The EMG measurement (root mean square (RMS)) and onset time of isometric contractions were analyzed. Body mass index and strength were also tested.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2014-01
• Primary Completion: 2015-03
• Study Completion: 2016-01
• Status Verified: 2016-11
• Study First Submitted: 2016-11-20
• Study First Submitted QC: 2016-11-22
• Last Update Submitted: 2016-11-22
• Study First Posted: 2016-11-28
• Last Update Posted: 2016-11-28

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• Healthy subjects with no previously manifested symptoms in the shoulder joint and/or the neck during the past year,

Exclusion Criteria

• moderate or severe cognitive impairment, rheumatologic diseases, massive osteoarthritis, tumors, shoulder joint instability, circulatory disorders (hemophilia clotting problems) and dermatological problems exacerbated by contact with skin

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The mean Root Mean Square (RMS) value	30 minutes	The electromyographic data were captured simultaneously on a PC by using the LabChart® software. Within the time interval from 2 to 4 seconds after contraction initiation a power spectrum analysis was performed together with the determination of RMS values. The mean RMS values were automatically obtained from the software
onset latency	30 minutes	Start of contraction on the basis of 15% of RMS

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
maximal isometric voluntary contraction	5 minutes	Using hand-held dynamometer
body mass index	5 minutes