Scapular Muscle Activation and Shoulder Performance in Migraine

June 15, 2026 updated by: Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University

INVESTIGATION OF SCAPULAR MUSCLE ACTIVATION AND SHOULDER PERFORMANCE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH MIGRAINE

Migraine is a significant health problem due to its high prevalence and substantial contribution to disability. Individuals with migraine have been reported to exhibit myofascial trigger points, increased pain sensitivity, and altered muscle activation patterns, particularly in the trapezius muscles. As the upper and middle trapezius muscles play critical roles in scapular stability and movement, alterations in these muscles may affect scapular orientation and upper extremity function. However, studies investigating the relationship between trapezius muscle activation, scapular orientation, and upper extremity performance in individuals with migraine are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to compare trapezius muscle activation, scapular orientation, and upper extremity performance between individuals with and without migraine. We hypothesized that individuals with migraine would exhibit altered upper and middle trapezius muscle activation, impaired scapular orientation, and reduced upper extremity performance compared with healthy controls.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

50

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Çubuk
      • Ankara, Çubuk, Turkey (Türkiye), 06760
        • Recruiting
        • Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University
        • Contact:

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

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults diagnosed with migraine according to the ICHD-3 criteria

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Aged 18-55 years
  • Diagnosed with migraine by a neurologist according to the ICHD-3 criteria
  • Experiencing at least 3 migraine attacks per month
  • Willing to participate and provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of other types of headache disorders
  • History of trauma, fracture, or surgery involving the cranio-cervical region, scapular region, or upper extremity
  • Presence of neurological or inflammatory rheumatic diseases
  • Presence of psychiatric disorders
  • Receiving physiotherapy or rehabilitation for migraine or the cervical, thoracic, or upper extremity regions within the past 6 months
  • Cognitive impairment affecting the understanding of test instructions

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

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Control
Migraine

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Trapezius muscle activity
Time Frame: Single assessment at baseline
Upper and middle trapezius muscle activations will be assessed on the dominant side using surface electromyography (sEMG). Following skin preparation, EMG sensors will be placed over the upper and middle trapezius muscles according to the recommendations of the Surface Electromyography for the Non-Invasive Assessment of Muscles (SENIAM). Resting muscle activity will be recorded prior to measurements to ensure signal quality. Muscle activations will first be recorded during maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and subsequently during arm elevation in the scapular plane. EMG data will be analyzed using EMGworks software; signals will be filtered, processed using the root mean square (RMS) method, and normalized to each participant's MVIC values, expressed as %MVIC. Additionally, upper trapezius/middle trapezius activation ratios will be calculated, and muscle activation levels will be categorized according to predefined threshold values.
Single assessment at baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Scapular rotation
Time Frame: Single assessment at baseline
Scapular upward rotation will be assessed using a digital inclinometer at shoulder elevation angles of 0°, 45°, 90°, and 135°. Participants will stand comfortably with the elbow extended and elevate the arm with the thumb pointing upward to the target angles. The inclinometer will be positioned over the scapular spine to measure scapular upward rotation at each angle. Three measurements will be obtained at each position with 30-second rest intervals, and the mean value will be used for analysis.
Single assessment at baseline
Pain
Time Frame: Single assessment at baseline
The pressure pain threshold of the upper trapezius muscle will be assessed using a digital algometer. Measurements will be performed at the midpoint between the C7 vertebra and the acromion using a 1-cm diameter rubber probe. Pressure will be gradually increased until the participant first reports pain or discomfort. Three measurements will be obtained with 30-second intervals, and the mean value (N/m²) will be used for analysis.
Single assessment at baseline
Upper extremity performance
Time Frame: Single assessment at baseline
Upper extremity mobility, stability, and proprioception in a closed kinetic chain will be assessed using the Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test. Participants will perform the test in a push-up position while reaching in the medial, inferolateral, and superolateral directions with the free hand. Reach distances will be recorded in centimeters and normalized to upper extremity length. Composite reach scores will also be calculated, with greater reach distances indicating better upper extremity dynamic balance and function.
Single assessment at baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt 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 (Actual)

April 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

July 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 15, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 15, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 18, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 18, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 15, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2026076

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

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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