Effects of Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercises in Violinists

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Occupational performance related to violin playing will be assessed using rating scales evaluating technical accuracy and intonation. Higher scores will indicate better performance.