Estimation of Muscle Area and Thickness of Deep Cervical Muscle Contraction During Cervical and Limb Movements

December 19, 2005 updated by: National Taiwan University Hospital
The purpose of this study is to investigate the validity and reliability of measurement for cervical multifidus using ultrasonography, and to investigate cervical multifidus muscle function by the change pattern of multifidus thickness, and to compare the changes in muscle thickness among different resistance levels (rest, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) and different cervical levels (C4, C5 and C6).

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

Cervical multifidus has specific sensory and motion function. However, it was unclear about muscle architectural change of cervical multifidus during head retraction manoeuvre with progressive resistance. The validity and reliability of measuring cervical multifidus using ultrasonography hasn't been proven.

In the pilot study, thickness, width and area of multifidus were measured at C4, C5 and C6 were measured using MRI and ultrasonography. The limit of agreement and the regression analysis were used to compare the results of two modalities. Besides, muscle thickness was repeatedly measured during the static and head retraction manoeuvre using ultrasonography by the same rater on the same day; the CVw and CVb were used to investigate reliability. In the main study, multifidus architecture measured in twenty asymptomatic subjects (24.3±4.7 yo, 5 women and 15 men) during head retraction manoeuvre with progressive resistance and during relaxation using ultrasonography apparatus with 10MHz linear transducer. ANOVA with repeated measurement and post-hoc analysis were to investigate the difference among different cervical levels and resistance force levels.

The results of the pilot study showed that the limit of agreement was ±0.20 cm and the moderate level of correlation (R2 ranged in 0.42~0.64) for muscle thickness measured between MRI and ultrasonography. For muscle thickness, the CVw values under static and under head retraction against maximum resistance were lower than 10%. In the main study, there was a curvilinear relationship between muscle thickness change and resistance, and the quadratic equations were the proper curves for estimation. There was significant difference of muscle thickness change within 50% of maximum retraction against resistance; and there was no significant difference among three cervical levels. It was suggested that muscle at C6 relaxed more slowly during the period from the beginning of relaxation.

In conclusion, the present study built a valid and reliable method for measuring continuous and dynamic changes of muscle thickness using ultrasonography. The results supported muscle function of cervical multifidus for segmental stability but not for force production.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment

40

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

20 years to 40 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • participants without posterior cervical pain within recent 3 months before entry the study

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Posterior cervical pain
  • Surgery over cervical spine

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Defined Population
  • Time Perspectives: Other

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

National Taiwan University Hospital

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Shwu-Fen Wang, Ph.D., School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, National Taiwan University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

September 1, 2003

Study Completion

May 1, 2004

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 9, 2005

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 9, 2005

First Posted (Estimate)

September 12, 2005

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

December 20, 2005

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 19, 2005

Last Verified

April 1, 2004

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 9261701132

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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