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Task-dependent muscle activation during functional upper-Limb tasks in adults with and without chronic non-specific neck pain: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Although many studies explore surface electromyography (sEMG) in static postures, research on muscle activation during dynamic tasks in chronic non-specific neck pain (CNNP) is limited. Objectives: To compare trapezius and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) activation and functional capacity duri...

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Published in:Journal of Back & Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Vol. 39; no. 4; pp. 1417 - 1428
Main Authors: Soylu, Gizem, Ülger, Özlem
Format: pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Sage Publications Inc. Jul2026
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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        10538127
        3MD
      jtl: Journal of Back & Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
      issn: 10538127
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    pubinfo:
      dt: Jul2026
      vid: 39
      iid: 4
      pid: 344
      pub: Sage Publications Inc.
      place: Thousand Oaks, California
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        194801606
        191906406
        194801606
        194801606
        10.1177/10538127261424303
        194801606
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      tig:
        atl: Task-dependent muscle activation during functional upper-Limb tasks in adults with and without chronic non-specific neck pain: A cross-sectional study.
      aug:
        au:
          Soylu, Gizem
          Ülger, Özlem
        affil: Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye
      sug:
        subj:
          Chronic Pain
          Neck Pain
          Trapezius Muscles Physiology
          Sternocleidomastoid Muscles Physiology
          Upper Extremity
          Functional Status
          Task Performance and Analysis
          Electromyography
          Human
          Adult
          Middle Age
          Male
          Female
          Cross Sectional Studies
          Comparative Studies
          Nonexperimental Studies
          Head Physiology
          Fingers Physiology
          Hand Physiology
          Forearm Physiology
          Agility Evaluation
          Scales
          Descriptive Statistics
          Physical Activity Evaluation
          Posture
          Motor Activity
          Data Analysis Software
          Unpaired T-Tests
          Confidence Intervals
          Analysis of Variance
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Background: Although many studies explore surface electromyography (sEMG) in static postures, research on muscle activation during dynamic tasks in chronic non-specific neck pain (CNNP) is limited. Objectives: To compare trapezius and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) activation and functional capacity during five upper limb tasks between individuals with CNNP and asymptomatic controls. Methods: This was a cross-sectional comparative observational study. Twenty-seven individuals with CNNP and 25 asymptomatic controls completed five tasks: repetitive reaching (RRT), sustained overhead work (OW), waist-to-overhead lift (OL), fingertip dexterity (FD), and hand–forearm dexterity (HFD). sEMG recorded upper (UT), middle (MT), and lower trapezius (LT), and SCM activity. Functional capacity was assessed using selected WorkWell Systems Functional Capacity Evaluation (WWS-FCE) tasks. Results: CNNP individuals showed greater UT activation across all tasks (p < 0.01, d = 0.78–1.67) and significant MT differences in most conditions (p < 0.01, d = 0.84–1.44). LT showed smaller but significant differences (p < 0.05, d = 0.47–0.84). SCM activity increased during OL (p < 0.01, d = 0.73–1.08) and in one RRT subtask (p = 0.011, d = 0.73). CNNP performed worse than controls in RRT (p < 0.001, d = –1.32 to −1.61), OW (p < 0.001, d = –2.17), OL (p = 0.006–<0.001, d = –0.80 to −1.26), and HFD (p < 0.001, d = –1.06 to −1.36), with no significant FD differences (p > 0.05). Significant Group × Task interactions were observed for UT, MT, and SCM (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Muscle activation profiles in chronic non-specific neck pain change with tasks, highlighting the importance of evaluating functional activities beyond static-posture assessments.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        pictorial
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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