Effects of Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercises in Violinists
Effects of Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercises on Clinical Outcomes and Occupational Performance in Violinists: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study aims to investigate the effects of scapulothoracic stabilization exercises on pain, muscle strength, upper extremity function, and occupational performance in individuals who play the violin. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. Both groups will perform a home-based exercise program for 6 weeks, three days per week. The experimental group will additionally perform scapulothoracic stabilization exercises targeting the muscles around the shoulder blade. Pain, upper extremity function, scapular movement, muscle strength, and violin performance will be assessed before and after the intervention.
Study Overview
Status
Conditions
Study Type
Enrollment (Estimated)
Phase
- Not Applicable
Contacts and Locations
Study Contact
- Name: Fatih Özyurt, MsC
- Phone Number: +90 5393358469
- Email: fatih.ozyurt10@gmail.com
Study Locations
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Center
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Kırşehir, Center, Turkey (Türkiye), 40100
- Recruiting
- Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
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Contact:
- Caner Karartı, Principal Investigator, PhD
- Phone Number: +90 553 223 50 30
- Email: fzt.caner.92@gmail.com
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Participation Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Ages Eligible for Study
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Genders Eligible for Study
Description
Inclusion Criteria:
Be between 18 and 40 years of age. Be actively playing the violin at least 3 days per week. Have been playing the violin for at least 1 year. Voluntarily agree to participate in the study and provide written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
A history of surgery involving the shoulder, neck, or upper extremity. A history of neurological disease, such as peripheral nerve injury or cervical radiculopathy.
A diagnosis of a rheumatological disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. A history of acute trauma within the previous 6 months. Currently participating regularly in a physiotherapy or rehabilitation program. Having a systemic disease that prevents participation in exercise. Being unable to adhere to the exercise program during the study period.
Study Plan
How is the study designed?
Design Details
- Primary Purpose: Treatment
- Allocation: Randomized
- Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
- Masking: Single
Arms and Interventions
Participant Group / Arm |
Intervention / Treatment |
|---|---|
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Active Comparator: Control Group
Participants in the control group will perform a home-based exercise program consisting of postural correction and flexibility exercises for 6 weeks, three days per week, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes. The program will include scapular retraction, chin tuck, stretching exercises for the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and pectoralis minor muscles, posterior capsule stretching, pendulum exercises, and shoulder circumduction exercises. |
Participants will perform a home-based exercise program consisting of postural correction and flexibility exercises for 6 weeks, three days per week, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes. The program will include isometric scapular retraction exercises and chin tuck exercises, each performed for 5 seconds and 10 repetitions. Stretching exercises targeting the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and pectoralis minor muscles, as well as posterior capsule stretching, will be performed for 20-30 seconds and 3 repetitions. Pendulum exercises will be performed for 1-2 minutes, and shoulder circumduction exercises will be performed for 10 repetitions. |
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Experimental: Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercise Group
Participants in the experimental group will perform the same exercise program as the control group, with the addition of scapulothoracic stabilization exercises targeting the serratus anterior, upper, middle, and lower trapezius, rhomboid, and latissimus dorsi muscles. These strengthening exercises will be performed using resistance bands, with 3 sets of 10 repetitions. Exercise intensity will be adjusted according to the participants' perceived level of difficulty. The intervention will be performed for 6 weeks, three days per week, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes. |
Participants will perform a home-based exercise program consisting of postural correction and flexibility exercises for 6 weeks, three days per week, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes. The program will include isometric scapular retraction exercises and chin tuck exercises, each performed for 5 seconds and 10 repetitions. Stretching exercises targeting the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and pectoralis minor muscles, as well as posterior capsule stretching, will be performed for 20-30 seconds and 3 repetitions. Pendulum exercises will be performed for 1-2 minutes, and shoulder circumduction exercises will be performed for 10 repetitions. Participants will perform the same postural correction and flexibility exercise program as the control group, with the addition of scapulothoracic stabilization strengthening exercises. The exercises will target the serratus anterior, upper, middle, and lower trapezius, rhomboid, and latissimus dorsi muscles. The strengthening exercises will be performed using resistance bands, with 3 sets of 10 repetitions. Exercise intensity will be adjusted according to the participant's perceived level of difficulty. The intervention will be performed for 6 weeks, three days per week, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes, under the supervision of a physiotherapist. |
What is the study measuring?
Primary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
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Pain intensity
Time Frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
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Pain intensity at rest, during activity, and at night will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), with higher scores indicating greater pain intensity. |
Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
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Secondary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
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Upper extremity functional performance
Time Frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
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Upper extremity functional performance will be assessed using the 6-Minute Pegboard Test. The number of pins placed during the test period will be recorded as the performance measure, with higher values indicating better functional performance. |
Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
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Muscle strength
Time Frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
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Muscle strength of the shoulder, neck, elbow, and wrist will be objectively assessed using a Kinvent dynamometer. Shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation; bilateral neck lateral flexion; elbow flexion and extension; wrist flexion and extension; and handgrip strength will be measured in Newtons. |
Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
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Scapular dyskinesis
Time Frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
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Scapular position will be assessed by measuring the distances between predefined anatomical landmarks, including the T2 spinous process and superior angle of the scapula, the T4 spinous process and midpoint of the medial border of the scapula, and the T7 spinous process and inferior angle of the scapula. |
Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
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Violin performance
Time Frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
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Occupational performance related to violin playing will be assessed using rating scales evaluating technical accuracy and intonation. Higher scores will indicate better performance. |
Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
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Collaborators and Investigators
Sponsor
Publications and helpful links
General Publications
- Zinn-Kirchner ZM, Alotaibi M, Murbe D, Caffier PP. For Fiddlers on the Roof and in the Pit: Healthcare and Epidemiology of Playing-Related Problems in Violinists. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2023 Aug 28;16:2485-2497. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S425406. eCollection 2023.
- Park KN, Jung DY, Kim SH. Trapezius and serratus anterior muscle strength in violinists with unilateral neck pain. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2020;33(4):631-636. doi: 10.3233/BMR-181147.
- Reynolds JF, Leduc RE, Kahnert EK, Ludewig PM. Development of three-dimensional shoulder kinematic and electromyographic exposure variation analysis methodology in violin musicians. Ergonomics. 2014;57(7):1021-39. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2014.907448. Epub 2014 Apr 30.
- Ackermann B, Adams R, Marshall E. The effect of scapula taping on electromyographic activity and musical performance in professional violinists. Aust J Physiother. 2002;48(3):197-203. doi: 10.1016/s0004-9514(14)60224-5.
Study record dates
Study Major Dates
Study Start (Actual)
Primary Completion (Estimated)
Study Completion (Estimated)
Study Registration Dates
First Submitted
First Submitted That Met QC Criteria
First Posted (Actual)
Study Record Updates
Last Update Posted (Actual)
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Verified
More Information
Terms related to this study
Other Study ID Numbers
- 2026-10/158
Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)
Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?
IPD Plan Description
Individual participant data will not be shared.
Drug and device information, study documents
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product
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