RecruitingNot Applicable

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

Taiwan60 participantsStarted 2026-05-10

Plain-language summary

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.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

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.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Scapular muscles activation during arm elevation and dynamic instrument-playing tasks.

Timeframe: Through study completion, an average of 1 hour

Scapular kinematics during arm elevation and dynamic instrument-playing tasks

Timeframe: Through study completion, an average of 1 hour

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07448857

SponsorNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2026-09-30

Contact for this trial

YIN-LIANG LIN, PhD

+886-2-28267288 yllin1020@nycu.edu.tw

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Non-specific Neck Pain trials