Healthy
Conditions
Brief summary
Neck-shoulder pain is among the most common health care problems, especially in office workers and females. Forward shoulder posture (FSP) is a common postural deviation and known risk factor for the development of neck-shoulder pain and pathology. Common approaches for reducing FSP include stretching and performing manual techniques to increase the length and extensibility of the scapular protractors, and strengthening the scapular retractors. Myofascial release (MFR) is a group of manual techniques that elongate and soften restricted fascia, however, the effects of myofascial release to the pectorals on FSP are currently unknown. The objectives of this study are to determine the impact of 4-minutes of MFR on: 1) FSP, 2) pectoral length, 3) muscle activity of the upper, middle, and lower trapezius and pectoralis major, 4) scapular retractor to protractor ratio of activity, and 4) movement performance compared to a soft-touch control. We hypothesize that MFR will: 1) decrease FSP, 2) increase pectoral length, 3) increase upper, middle, and lower trapezius activity and decrease pectorals major activity, 4) increase the scapular retractor to protractor ratio of activity, and 4) improve movement performance.
Interventions
OTHERMyofascial Release
Moderate pressure manual treatment to the pectoral fascia.
OTHERSoft-touch Control
No pressure manual treatment to the pectoral fascia.
Sponsors
Centennial College
University of Manitoba
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
The participants will have knowledge of the two different intensity treatments they will receive. However, the researchers will be blinded as to which treatment intensity the participant received at which session.
Intervention model description
Single blind between subjects repeated measures crossover design
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* have 1 cm of anterior deviation of the acromion process (forward shoulder posture) * right handed
Exclusion criteria
* recent history (\<6 months) of neck, shoulder, or upper back pain * recent history (\<6 months) of neck, shoulder, or upper back injury/pathology * history of orthopaedic or neurological disorders
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Forward shoulder posture after intervention | 30-minutes | Relative- photographic analysis. Participant stand in a relaxed position and have a photo taken from their side where an online program will be used to quantify their forward shoulder posture |
| Change in Pectoral Length after intervention | 30-minutes | Measured passive horizontal abduction of the shoulder |
| Change in Muscle Activity- Upper Trapezius after intervention | 30-minutes | sEMG during a reaching task |
| Change in Muscle Activity- Middle Trapezius after intervention | 30-minutes | sEMG during a reaching task |
| Change in Muscle Activity- Lower Trapezius after intervention | 30-minutes | sEMG during a reaching task |
| Change in Muscle Activity- Pectoralis Major after intervention | 30-minutes | sEMG during a reaching task |
| Change in Movement performance- reaction time after intervention | 30-minutes | Participants will complete a reaching task using custom designed software (E-Prime). The reaching task is a modified Fitts' Task where the participant must reach towards one of five randomly appearing targets. |
| Change in Movement performance- movement time after intervention | 30-minutes | Participants will complete a reaching task using custom designed software (E-Prime). The reaching task is a modified Fitts' Task where the participant must reach towards one of five randomly appearing targets. |
| Change in Movement performance- accuracy after intervention | 30-minutes | Participants will complete a reaching task using custom designed software (E-Prime). The reaching task is a modified Fitts' Task where the participant must reach towards one of five randomly appearing targets. |
Countries
Canada
Outcome results
None listed