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Trapezius muscle imbalance in individuals suffering from frozen shoulder syndrome

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Abstract

This aim of this study was to characterize upper and lower trapezius muscle activity for patients experiencing frozen shoulder syndrome (FSS) compared to asymptomatic subjects. Fifteen patients suffering from unilateral FSS and 15 asymptomatic subjects voluntarily participated in this study. Data were gathered on electromyographic (EMG) activity obtained from the upper and lower trapezius muscles during maximal static arm elevations at six different testing positions: 60 and 120° of flexion, abduction in the frontal plane, and abduction in the scapular plane. The group with FSS revealed increased upper trapezius EMG activity at the 60° (mean difference=12%, p<0.003) and 120° (mean difference=24%, p<0.004) testing positions, and increased lower trapezius EMG activity at the 120° testing positions (mean difference=6%, p<0.002), compared to asymptomatic subjects. Higher ratios of the upper trapezius to lower trapezius EMG activity were also found in the patient group (p<0.0005) compared to asymptomatic subjects. The results of this study indicate that the increased trapezius muscle activity may contribute to scapular substitution movement in compensation for impaired glenohumeral motion in patients with FSS. The insufficiency of the increased lower trapezius muscle activity should be an important consideration in the rehabilitation of patients experiencing FSS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Physical Therapy and National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No.1 Jen Ai Road Section 1, Taipei, 100, Taiwan, ROC

    Jiu-Jenq Lin, Ying-Tai Wu & Shwu-Fen Wang

  2. Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Municipal Wan-Fang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC

    Shiau-Yee Chen

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  1. Jiu-Jenq Lin
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  2. Ying-Tai Wu
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  3. Shwu-Fen Wang
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  4. Shiau-Yee Chen
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Correspondence to Shwu-Fen Wang.

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Lin, JJ., Wu, YT., Wang, SF. et al. Trapezius muscle imbalance in individuals suffering from frozen shoulder syndrome. Clin Rheumatol 24, 569–575 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-005-1105-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-005-1105-x

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