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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07609173

Immediate Effects of Shock Wave Therapy With Stretching or Isometric Contraction on Upper Trapezius

Excessive use of smart devices and prolonged sitting posture in modern daily life can lead to potential hypertonicity and functional impairment of the upper trapezius even in healthy individuals. Such conditions may cause functional changes and discomfort before the onset of pain, and early intervention may help prevent the progression to musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the immediate effects of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) applied simultaneously with stretching or isometric contraction on muscle tone, stiffness, thickness, pressure pain threshold, and grip strength of the upper trapezius in healthy adults.

Participants will be divided into two groups : rESWT + stretching and rESWT + isometric contraction. Immediate changes in the upper trapezius will be compared before and after the interventions. rESWT will be applied to the upper trapezius with 1.0 bar pressure, 10 Hz frequency, and 1000 shocks.

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Key information

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Myofascial Pain Syndromes

Age range

19 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

73, Bungmun-daero 419beon-gil, Gwangju health university

Gwangju, 62287, South Korea

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Individuals with no history of neck or shoulder pain in the past 6 months
  • Individuals with no history of upper limb musculoskeletal disorders
  • Individuals with a pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the upper trapezius ≥ 263 kPa

Exclusion criteria

  • Individuals with a history of neurological or orthopedic disorders
  • Individuals taking medications that may affect ESWT response
  • Individuals with local skin conditions, including ulcers or open wounds

Treatment and study plan

Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Stretching

Other

Participants will sit on a chair and receive rESWT with gel applied to the upper trapezius. A 20 mm rESWT applicator angled at 90° will be applied to the muscle belly and the musculotendinous junction. The intensity will be set at 1.0 bar pressure, 10 Hz frequency, with 1000 shocks.

When rESWT is applied to the upper trapezius, participants will sit on a chair and repeatedly bend the neck diagonally to stretch the muscle, then return to the neutral position.

Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Isometric Contraction

Other

Participants will sit on a chair and receive rESWT with gel applied to the upper trapezius. A 20 mm rESWT applicator angled at 90° will be applied to the muscle belly and the musculotendinous junction. The intensity will be set at 1.0 bar pressure, 10 Hz frequency, with 1000 shocks.

When rESWT is applied to the upper trapezius, participants will sit on a chair and maintain a shoulder elevation posture during the intervention.

Primary outcomes

  1. Muscle Tone

    Time frame: Post-intervention measurement is conducted immediately after the intervention to assess immediate effects.

    Upper trapezius muscle stiffness will be assessed as dynamic stiffness (N/m) using the MyotonPRO device (Myoton AS, Tallinn, Estonia). The probe will be positioned perpendicular to the skin over the belly of the upper trapezius muscle. After a pre-load of approximately 0.18 N, 10 mechanical impulses of approximately 0.4 N at 1 Hz will be delivered. Measurements will be repeated 3 times, and the mean value will be used for analysis. Change from baseline will be calculated as the immediate post-intervention value minus the baseline value.

  2. Muscle Stiffnes

    Time frame: Post-intervention measurement is conducted immediately after the intervention to assess immediate effects.

    Upper trapezius muscle stiffness will be assessed as dynamic stiffness (N/m) using the MyotonPRO device (Myoton AS, Tallinn, Estonia). The probe will be positioned perpendicular to the skin over the belly of the upper trapezius muscle. After a pre-load of approximately 0.18 N, 10 mechanical impulses of approximately 0.4 N at 1 Hz will be delivered. Measurements will be repeated 3 times, and the mean value will be used for analysis. Change from baseline will be calculated as the immediate post-intervention value minus the baseline value.

  3. Muscle Thickness

    Time frame: Post-intervention measurement is conducted immediately after the intervention to assess immediate effects.

    The probe of the ultrasound imaging device is placed perpendicular to the target area without applying any pressure after applying a water-based transmission gel, in order to measure muscle thickness. Then, using a 2.5 MHz ultrasound, strong echoes at tissue interfaces are focused, and the distance between the focused points is converted into millimeters to determine tissue thickness.

  4. Grip Strength

    Time frame: Post-intervention measurement is conducted immediately after the intervention to assess immediate effects.

    Grip strength is measured using a wireless dynamometer. The participant holds the dynamometer with the arm relaxed, the elbow flexed at 90°, the arm slightly away from the torso, and the wrist in a neutral position. Following the researcher's instructions, the participant exerts maximum force. The measurement is repeated three times, and the average value is recorded.

  5. Pressure Pain

    Time frame: Post-intervention measurement is conducted immediately after the intervention to assess immediate effects.

    The participant sits upright with the back supported by a wall or chair and feet flat on the floor. A pressure algometer with a 1 cm² rubber tip is placed perpendicular to the same muscle belly measured by the Myoton PRO. The researcher applies gradual pressure at a constant rate of 0.5 kg/cm²/s until the participant reports pain, and the value at the point of reported pain is recorded. The measurement is repeated twice, and the average value is used.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Sahmyook University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Immediate Effects of Simultaneous Application of Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Stretching or Isometric Contraction on Muscle Tone, Stiffness, Thickness, Pressure Pain Threshold, and Grip Strength of the Upper Trapezius

Acronym: rESWT

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
May 27, 2026
Registry last updated
May 27, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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