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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04944745

Myofascial Release of the Pectoral Fascia

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Manitoba

Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T2N2, Canada

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

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

Treatment and study plan

Myofascial Release

Other

Moderate pressure manual treatment to the pectoral fascia.

Soft-touch Control

Other

No pressure manual treatment to the pectoral fascia.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Forward shoulder posture after intervention

    Time frame: 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

  2. Change in Forward shoulder posture after intervention

    Time frame: 30-minutes

    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.

  3. Change in Pectoral Length after intervention

    Time frame: 30-minutes

    Measured passive horizontal abduction of the shoulder

  4. Change in Muscle Activity- Upper Trapezius after intervention

    Time frame: 30-minutes

    sEMG during a reaching task

  5. Change in Muscle Activity- Middle Trapezius after intervention

    Time frame: 30-minutes

    sEMG during a reaching task

  6. Change in Muscle Activity- Lower Trapezius after intervention

    Time frame: 30-minutes

    sEMG during a reaching task

  7. Change in Muscle Activity- Pectoralis Major after intervention

    Time frame: 30-minutes

    sEMG during a reaching task

  8. Change in Movement performance- reaction time after intervention

    Time frame: 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.

  9. Change in Movement performance- movement time after intervention

    Time frame: 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.

  10. Change in Movement performance- accuracy after intervention

    Time frame: 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.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Manitoba

Other

Collaborators

  • Centennial College

Registry information

Official study title

Myofascial Release of the Pectoral Fascia: Effect on Shoulder Posture, Muscle Length, Muscle Activity, and Movement Performance

Acronym: MTRF

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Jun 30, 2021
Registry last updated
Mar 7, 2022

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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