Upper and lower trapezius muscle activity in subjects with subacromial impingement symptoms: is there imbalance and can taping change it?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate (i) whether subacromial impingement symptoms (SIS) were associated with upper and lower trapezius muscle imbalance and (ii) the effect of a scapula taping technique on upper and lower trapezius muscle activity.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study with nested within-subject intervention.


METHODS
University research laboratory.


METHODS
Subjects who demonstrated SIS (n=16) on clinical testing and an age and gender matched group of asymptomatic subjects (n=32).


METHODS
Surface electromyography (EMG) to measure activity in the upper (UFT) and lower (LFT) fibres of trapezius during repeated humeral elevation in the scapular plane.


RESULTS
Symptomatic subjects demonstrated a significantly (95% CI 2.13 to 4.17, p=0.019) higher ratio of UFT:LFT activity than the asymptomatic subjects (95% CI 1.35 to 2.25). With tape in situ the symptomatic subjects demonstrated a significant (95% CI -8.6% to -17.3%, p<0.001) reduction in UFT activity but no significant (95% CI +2.8% to -17.5%, p=0.145) change in activity of LFT. No relationship (r=- 0.116, p=0.669) was found between the degree of underlying muscle imbalance and the reduction in UFT under the taped condition for the symptomatic group.


CONCLUSIONS
Subacromial impingement symptoms are associated with altered upper and lower trapezius muscle activity which can be partially addressed by the application of tape.
Physiotherapy Department, Cardiff University, Research Centre for Clinical Kinaesiology, School of Healthcare Studies, Cardiff, UK. smithmj2@cardiff.ac.uk
Mike
M
Smith
Valerie
V
Sparkes
Monica
M
Busse
Stephanie
S
Enright
D000328:Adult; D001458:Bandages; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000379:methods; D019534:Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult