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Decreased thickness of the lower trapezius muscle in patients with unilateral neck pain
Author(s) -
Uthaikhup Sureeporn,
Pensri Chalomjai,
Kawsoiy Kanokon
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.25014
Subject(s) - trapezius muscle , medicine , neck pain , accessory nerve , muscle contraction , electromyography , rest (music) , contraction (grammar) , ultrasound , anatomy , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , radiology , pathology , alternative medicine
ABSTRACT Introduction Thickness of the lower trapezius muscle in patients with neck pain has not been established. We examined the thickness of the lower trapezius muscle in patients with and without unilateral neck pain. Methods Twenty women with unilateral (right) neck pain and 20 matched controls participated in the study. Thickness of the lower trapezius muscles was measured bilaterally at rest (0 ° and 120 ° of shoulder abduction) and during contraction (120 ° of shoulder abduction) using ultrasound imaging. Results The neck pain group had smaller thickness of the lower trapezius muscle on the painful side compared with controls both at rest and during contraction ( P < 0.05). However, the percentage change in the lower trapezius thickness from rest to contraction (120 ° of shoulder abduction) was not different between groups ( P > 0.05). Conclusions Patients with neck pain had smaller thickness of the lower trapezius muscle on the painful side compared with healthy controls. Muscle Nerve 54 : 439–443, 2016