Analysis of Abnormal Muscle Activities Using a Surface Electromyography in Patients with Loss of Cervical Lordosis
17 Pages Posted: 13 Jul 2022
Abstract
The purpose was to detect the differences in cervical muscles activation pattern between people with and without cervical kyphosis, and to explore the possible mechanism of cervical pain originating from the muscles. As a prospective observational study, thirty-nine participants with cervical kyphosis and 18 without kyphosis were included. Muscular activations were measured with surface electromyography for 5 s at plateau. Subsequently, the root mean square (RMS) of muscle amplitude was obtained at bilateral splenius capitis, the upper and lower part of the splenius cervicis, the upper and lower part of the semispinalis cervicis, sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, and rhomboids muscles in five cervical positions. The pattern of changes in RMS values according to posture showed a similar shape in the upper trapezius and rhomboids muscles; the RMS value of the upper trapezius was significantly lower in the kyphosis group than in the control group. The pattern was similar (M-shape) in the upper and lower part of the semispinalis cervicis muscles and the pattern was similar with a peak at 60° extension position in the other muscles. Cervical kyphosis develops in predisposed conditions such as trapezius weakness, and it provokes over-firing in the upper trapezius muscle.
Note:
Funding Information: This research was supported by a grant of the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (grant number: HI18C1169)
Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that there are no significant competing financial, professional, or personal interests that might have influenced the performance or presentation of the work described in this manuscript.
Ethical Approval Statement: The study protocol was approved by the institutional review board of the hospital (B-1709/421-005). All participants provided written informed consent prior to participation. Data and safety were monitored every 6 months.
Keywords: lordosis, kyphosis, trapezius, muscular weakness
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