• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.7-15
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• 2011

Purpose: We investigated the relationship between the muscle activity and kinematic variables of the upper extremity during a push-up task on stable and unstable surfaces. Methods: We recruited 15 healthy subjects. Subjects completed the push-up task on stable and unstable surfaces. Surface electromyograms were recorded from the serratus anterior, upper trapezius, latissimus dorsi, infraspinatus to monitor changes in muscle activity. Markers for kinematic changes of elbow flexion, shoulder extension, shoulder retraction and scapular adduction were attached at C7, the T7 spinous process, both acromions, the scapula superior and inferior angle, the humerus lateral epicondyle, and the ulnar styloid process. Correlation coefficients between muscle activity and kinematic variables were analyzed by SPSS for Windows, version 15.0. Results: On the unstable surface, elbow flexion and shoulder extension increased with increasing muscle activity of serratus anterior, upper trapezius and infraspinatus. On the stable surface, shoulder retraction decreased with increasing muscle activity of serratus anterior and infraspinatus. Scapular adduction decreased with all types of increasing muscle activity, regardless of the support surface. Conclusion: Correlations between muscle activity and kinematic variables were observed on stable and unstable surfaces during a push-up task, while correlations between right and left variables were not clear. These finding suggest that it may be used to develop a rehabilitation program which could be effective in improving shoulder function in patients with shoulder problems.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 2021

Objective: This study covered the effect of stabilization exercise on muscle activity, shoulder painanddisability index(SPADI) oftheelderly people with chronic shoulder pain by tele-rehabilitation village hall in rural area. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: The study subjects are 29 elders with chronic shoulder pain aged over 65-year-old who reside in the rural area (experimental group: 14 elders and control group: 15). The elderly people in the experimental group were asked to perform shoulder stabilization exercise 60 minutes per one time for 4 weeks and three times in a week and the others in the control group were asked to receive education related to pain management for the initial one time. Before and after the experiment, we measured the subjects' muscle activity of upper trapezius, serratus anterior and the lower trapezius. In addition, SPADI is measured through the questionnaire. Results: Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed significant differences in the muscle activity of the three muscles (upper trapezius, serratus anterior, lower trapezius), and SPADI. Conclusions: It is found that shoulder stabilization exercise is effective in muscleactivity, pain and ability of the elderly people through tele-rehabilitation service. This study should be used for improving the quality of the elderly people's lives through active tele-rehabilitation service for areas where have poor medical benefits.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.41-55
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to analyze human upper body surface changes at the shoulder and back area. The body surface data were analyzed in terms of muscle and bone displacement in dynamic postures. Body surface data were collected with a 3D body scanner. The body surface was scanned at the static and four baseball batting postures. The body surface dimensions over the deltoids, scapulae and trapezius were measured. The results show that the vertical measurements of the deltoids increased by 20%. The horizontal measurements of the axilla of the back increased. The surface of the trapezius was elongated by over 10%, and the lower back musculature was elongated by about 50%. The results of this study showed that changes in back body surface caused by upper arm movements. It was influenced by the deltoid articulated with the humeri and the scapulae and trapezius. These body surface changes caused by muscle activities and ranges of motion can be used to design functional clothing.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.97-105
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the low-intensity ultrasound (noblelife) treatment on the pain points of upper trapezius muscle. The study recruited 20 patients who had trigger points in one side of the upper trapezius. The effectiveness of the low-intensity ultrasound treatment was assessed with subjective pain intensity using visual analog scale (VAS) and pressure pain threshold (PPT). The PPT was measured by pressure threshold algometer. Before and after the treatment, changes of pain were evaluated. Wilcoxon test for VAS data and paired t-test for PPT data were used for statistical significance. Compared to the pain intensity before the treatment, the pain intensity after treatment was significantly decreased (p<.05). Low-intensity ultrasound could be safely used in clinical application and at home for the treatment of patients with pain in upper trapezius muscle.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.401-409
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• 2019

Purpose: This study investigated the muscular activity of abdominal muscles during a variety of plank exercises following changes in the leg and head positions. Methods: Thirty healthy individuals participated in this study. They performed six variations of plank exercises, including three changes in head position and two changes in leg position. Each plank was defined as head neutral-leg neutral, head up-leg neutral, head down-leg neutral, head neutral-leg wide, head up-leg wide, and head down-leg wide. During the plank excises, the muscle activities of the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, erector spinae, and upper trapezius were measured. Results: The head down position significantly increased the rectus abdominis activity compared to other head positions (p<0.05). On the other hand, the upper trapezius muscle activity was significantly higher with the head up position compared to other head positions (p<0.05). Regardless of head positions, both the rectus abdominis and internal oblique muscles were significantly activated with leg wide position compared to the leg neutral position (p<0.05). Conclusion: Head and leg positions could change the muscular activities of abdominal muscles during plank exercises. For example, the head down position is effective for activating the rectus abdominis while the leg wide position could be advantageous for enhancing the internal oblique and rectus abdominis.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.325-331
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• 2015

Purpose: This study attempts to understand the effect of stabilization exercise of biofeedback scapular on muscle activity and functional evaluation of the upper extremity in stroke patients. Methods: Patients were divided into two groups; a biofeedback scapular stabilization exercise group comprised of 8 patients and a task-oriented training group including another 8 patients, and 30-minute exercise was performed 5 times a week for 8 weeks. Electromyogram was used to measure muscular activity of lower trapezius, deltoid middle, and serratus anterior. Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Manual Function Test were used to evaluate functions of the muscles mentioned. Results: Significant difference was observed in the comparison group before and after exercise in muscular activity of lower trapezius, deltoid middle, and serratus anterior, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and Manual Function Test. Conclusion: Therefore, we could see that biofeedback scapular stabilization exercise is more effective than task-oriented training in facilitating muscle activation and functional capacity of upper limb.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.157-162
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was to evaluate several tasks performed at a high intensity in terms of their ability to elicit EMG activity in the serratus anterior by comparing the EMG activities of the serratus anterior, upper trapezius, and lower trapezius muscles during six tasks combined shoulder flexion with rotation. Methods: Fifteen healthy males were recruited to this study. Each subject was instructed to assume a sitting position without back support and asked to flex (90° or 120°) the right shoulder and protract the scapula in the sagittal plane with maximal external rotation; to assume a neutral position; or to internally rotate the glenohumeral joint. The EMG data were collected from the serratus anterior (SA), upper trapezius (UT), and lower trapezius (LT) muscles were normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction. The UT/LT and UT/SA muscle activity ratios in each task were assessed by calculating the surface EMG. Data were analyzed by two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance, with the level of significance set at p<0.05. Results: The results of this study, shoulder flexion with external rotation resulted in low upper trapezius/serratus anterior and upper trapezius/lower trapezius ratios and a relatively high level of serratus anterior activation. Conclusion: Shoulder flexion with external rotation used herein may be considered as important for clinical interventions aimed at selectively increasing SA strengthen and clinical selection of exercises for improving glenohumeral joint and scapulothoracic control.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2022

Background: Neck pain is a major health problem in developed countries and has a lifetime prevalence of 50%. Major problems include a reduced cervical range of motion, muscle stiffness, dysfunction, postural changes, and decrease in psychosocial level. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of applying the upper trapezius inhibition dynamic taping to patients with chronic neck pain on their neck pain, functional level, cervical range of motion, psychosocial level, and neck posture. Methods: The study design was a randomized controlled trial. A total of 40 patients with neck pain participated in this study and were randomly assigned to a Dynamic Taping group (n = 20) or Sham Taping group (n = 20). In both groups, basic intervention cervical pain control therapy and shoulder stabilization exercise program were performed. In addition, dynamic taping and sham taping were applied to participants in the Dynamic Taping and Sham Taping groups to inhibit the trapezius muscle, respectively. All interventions were performed three times a week and a total of 12 times for 4 weeks, and the participants' neck pain, functional impairment level, cervical range of motion, psychosocial level, and neck posture were measured and compared before and after the intervention. Results: Both groups showed significant differences in neck pain, functional level, cervical range of motion, psychosocial level, and neck postural before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). Moreover, there were significant differences between the two groups regarding the functional level and neck posture (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Inhibition dynamic taping of the upper trapezius muscle suppression is an effective method with clinical significance in reducing pain in individuals with chronic neck pain and improving the functional level, cervical range of motion, psychosocial level, and neck posture.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2004

Background: Needle electromyography (EMG) and motor evoked potential (MEP) of the genioglossus (tongue) are difficult to perform in evaluations of the craniobulbar region in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Therefore, we investigated the yields of needle EMG and MEP recorded from the upper trapezius, since it receives innervation from the lower medulla and upper cervical cord. Methods: Needle EMG and MEP of the upper trapezius were obtained in 17 consecutive ALS patients. The needle EMG parameters recorded included abnormal spontaneous activity and motor unit action potential (MUAP) morphology. An upper motor neuron (UMN) lesion was presumed when either response to cortical stimulation was absent, or the central conduction time was delayed (>mean+2SD). Results: Of the five patients with bulbar-onset ALS, four had abnormalities in the upper trapezius and four in the tongue by needle EMG. In contrast, of the 12 patients with limb-onset ALS, 11 had abnormalities in the upper trapezius, and only five in the tongue. When MEP was performed, it was found that three of the five patients with bulbar symptoms and three of the six patients with isolated limb involvement had abnormal MEP findings. Conclusions: Electrophysiological studies of the upper trapezius are more sensitive those of the tongue in patients without bulbar symptoms. Thus, needle EMG and MEP of the upper trapezius are alternative tools for assessing bulbar and rostral neuraxial involvement in the diagnosis of ALS.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to compare the activity of the upper trapezius (UT) and serratus anterior (SA) and ratio of UT to SA during shoulder elevations. Ten subjects with UT pain (UTP) and 13 subjects without UTP participated in this study. Subjects with a UTP of over five in a pain intensity visual analogue scale (0-10 ㎝) for more than 2 months and latent myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the UT muscle were included in the UTP group. Electromyography (EMG) data of UT and SA at 1st and 10th elevations were analyzed. Two-way repeated analyses of variance were used to compare the EMG activity of UT and SA and the ratio of UT to SA during shoulder elevations between groups with and without UTP. There was a significant increase in UT/SA ratio in the group with UTP compared to the group without UTP (p=.01). The activity of UT and SA measured at the 10th elevation was significantly greater than that in the first elevation (p<.05). The activity of SA was significantly greater in the group without UTP than the group with UTP (p=.03). However, there was no significant difference between groups with and without UTP in terms of UT activity (p=.28). These results indicate that UTP may have relevance to the increased muscle activity ratio of UT to SA during shoulder elevations.