Evidence mapPaperPMID 42115641Full record

Observational studyScientific reports2026

Characteristics of the upper trapezius muscle in patients with chronic shoulder impingement syndrome: a comparative study.

Chun-Kai Tang, Chia-Feng Lu, Shin-Yi Chiou, Yi-Fen Shih

Registry-linked trialAbstract readComparative StudyObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in Scientific reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT06472349 (Structure and Function of the Upper Trapezius and Its Role in Chronic Shoulder Pain), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT06472349 recruitingnot on this map

Structure and Function of the Upper Trapezius and Its Role in Chronic Shoulder Pain: an Investigation of Kinematics, Morphology, Muscle Quality and Activation Distribution

TypeobservationalSponsorNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityRan2023 to 2026Enrolled100ConditionsChronic Shoulder Pain
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Chun-Kai TangDepartment of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chia-Feng LuDepartment of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Shin-Yi ChiouSchool of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Yi-Fen ShihDepartment of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan. yfshih@nycu.edu.tw.

Funding

National Science and Technology Council NSTC 114-2410-H-A49 -074 -MY2
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The upper trapezius (UT) muscle is critical for proper scapular kinematics, yet the role of intrinsic UT muscle characteristics remains unclear. Our study aimed to compare UT muscle quality (echo intensity, EI), morphology (thickness change), and tone and stiffness between patients with CSIS and controls. This observational study recruited 30 participants with unilateral CSIS (27.5 ± 5.5 years old; pain duration 23.0 ± 19.7 months) and 30 controls (24.4 ± 3.0 years old) from the community. B-mode ultrasound was utilized to measure UT EI and muscle thickness at rest and during maximal contraction. Myotonometry assessed oscillation frequency (tone) and dynamic stiffness at rest and during 60° shoulder flexion. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (age). The CSIS group exhibited greater UT muscle EI than controls on both affected and unaffected sides (p = 0.007, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 2.135-12.894). The CSIS group exhibited greater muscle tone and stiffness during 60° shoulder flexion, including elevated oscillation frequency (p = 0.005, 95% CI: 0.351-1.873) and dynamic stiffness (p = 0.006, 95% CI: 10.678-61.782) than the controls. Our results suggest that patients with CSIS had bilateral deficits in muscle quality and muscle tone during active tasks. These findings provide objective evidence of altered intrinsic muscle characteristics and mechanical properties in the UT of patients with CSIS.Trial registration: The protocol of this study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and prospectively registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06472349).

Indexed as

Shoulder Impingement SyndromeSuperficial Back MusclesAdultCase-Control StudiesFemaleHumansMaleRange of Motion, ArticularUltrasonographyYoung AdultEcho intensityMuscle qualityMuscle thicknessMuscle toneMyotonometryUltrasound imaging

Identifiers

PMID42115641
PMCPMC13350902

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.