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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
60
Moderate pressure manual treatment to the pectoral fascia.
No pressure manual treatment to the pectoral fascia.
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Change in Forward shoulder posture after intervention
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
Time frame: 30-minutes
Change in Forward shoulder posture after intervention
Absolute measurements taken- double square method. Participants will stand with their back against the wall and the tool will measure the distance from the wall to their acromion process.
Time frame: 30-minutes
Change in Pectoral Length after intervention
Measured passive horizontal abduction of the shoulder
Time frame: 30-minutes
Change in Muscle Activity- Upper Trapezius after intervention
sEMG during a reaching task
Time frame: 30-minutes
Change in Muscle Activity- Middle Trapezius after intervention
sEMG during a reaching task
Time frame: 30-minutes
Change in Muscle Activity- Lower Trapezius after intervention
sEMG during a reaching task
Time frame: 30-minutes
Change in Muscle Activity- Pectoralis Major after intervention
sEMG during a reaching task
Time frame: 30-minutes
Change in Movement performance- reaction time after intervention
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.
Time frame: 30-minutes
Change in Movement performance- movement time after intervention
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.
Time frame: 30-minutes
Change in Movement performance- accuracy after intervention
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.
Time frame: 30-minutes
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