NCT06307899

Immediate Effects of Different Stretching Methods for Pectoralis Minor Muscle

Comparison of Immediate Effects of Different Stretching Methods for Pectoralis Minor Muscle on Scapula Position, Pectoralis Minor Muscle Length and Scapular Muscle Activation in Individuals With Shoulder Protraction

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 25 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Gazi University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 40 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The aim of our study is to compare the effects of different stretching methods for the pectoralis minor (PM) muscle on scapula position, PM muscle length and scapular muscle activation in individuals with shoulder protraction. Unilateral corner stretching, manual stretching and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching methods will be applied randomly, 2 days apart, to volunteer individuals who agree to participate in our study. Three different stretching methods (unilateral corner stretching, manual stretching and PNF stretching) will be applied to individuals randomly, 48 hours apart, and PM length, PM index, scapula upward rotation and EMG values will be recorded by a blind evaluator before and after the stretching application.

Detailed description

Our study will include individuals who volunteer to participate in the study, and informed consent will be obtained from the individuals. Shoulder protraction will be determined according to the measurement result of the distance between the posterolateral side of the acromion and the bed in the supine position of the individual. If the distance is 2.6 centimeters or more, it will be recorded as shoulder protraction posture. PM length, PM index, upward rotation angle of the scapula at 0°, 45°, 90° and 135° abduction, electromyographic (EMG) muscle activation of the upper trapezius, middle trapezius, lower trapezius and serratus anterior muscles will be evaluated by a blind evaluator before and after the stretching methods. Unilateral corner stretching, manual stretching and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching methods will be applied randomly, 48 hours apart. The order of Unilateral Corner Stretching, Manual Stretching and PNF Stretching methods to be applied to individuals will be assigned with the simple allocation using random allocation. SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 22.0 will be used to evaluate the data obtained from the study and create tables. The Shapiro-Wilk test will be used to determine the distribution of the data. Descriptive statistics of numerical variables with normal distribution will be indicated by X ± SD, descriptive statistics of numerical variables without normal distribution will be indicated by median and (IQR), descriptive statistics of categorical variables will be indicated by frequency and percentage (%). Paired Sample T test will be used for intra-group comparison of normally distributed data and Wilcoxon test will be used for intra-group comparison of non-normally distributed data. The one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) will be performed to compare the three groups. The statistical significance level will be set at p\<0.05 and a post-hoc multiple comparisons test with Bonferroni correction will be performed.

Conditions

• Rounded Shoulder Posture

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Unilateral Corner Stretch	Individuals will be positioned in a standing position with the elbow in 90° flexion and the shoulder in 90° abduction, placing the palm on a flat surface. For stretching, individuals will be asked to increase shoulder horizontal abduction by rotating the trunk anteriorly and contralaterally. The position will be maintained for 30 seconds and will be repeated 4 times with a 30-second rest between repetitions.
OTHER	Manual Stretching	Individuals will be positioned supine with the shoulder in 90º abduction and external rotation and the elbow in 90º flexion. Stretching will be applied by the physiotherapist from just distal to the elbow in the direction of horizontal abduction of the shoulder. The position will be maintained for 30 seconds and will be repeated 4 times with a 30-second rest between repetitions.
OTHER	PNF Stretching	Individuals will be in a sitting position with their hands clasped behind the head. The PM muscle will be stretched in the direction of horizontal abduction by placing the physiotherapist's hands anterior to the elbows. Passive stretching will be continued for 10 seconds, followed by 6 seconds of maximum voluntary isometric contraction of the PM muscle. The procedure will be repeated four times with 30 seconds of rest.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-09-11
• Primary completion: 2024-07-03
• Completion: 2024-09-04
• First posted: 2024-03-13
• Last updated: 2024-03-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)