MigraineNCT07656922
Scapular Muscle Activation and Shoulder Performance in Migraine
An observational study of Migraine and Upper Extremity, run by Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Migraine is a significant health problem due to its high prevalence and substantial contribution to disability. Individuals with migraine have been reported to exhibit myofascial trigger points, increased pain sensitivity, and altered muscle activation patterns, particularly in the trapezius muscles. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 55 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Migraine, Upper Extremity, Muscle Activity
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Apr 2026to 15 Jul 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 55 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: Adults diagnosed with migraine according to the ICHD-3 criteria
Who may be able to join
- Aged 18-55 years
- Diagnosed with migraine by a neurologist according to the ICHD-3 criteria
- Experiencing at least 3 migraine attacks per month
- Willing to participate and provide written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Presence of other types of headache disorders
- History of trauma, fracture, or surgery involving the cranio-cervical region, scapular region, or upper extremity
- Presence of neurological or inflammatory rheumatic diseases
- Presence of psychiatric disorders
- Receiving physiotherapy or rehabilitation for migraine or the cervical, thoracic, or upper extremity regions within the past 6 months
- Cognitive impairment affecting the understanding of test instructions
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University
Ankara, Çubuk, 06760
Yasemin Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, 05397799535, yaseminates48@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: INVESTIGATION OF SCAPULAR MUSCLE ACTIVATION AND SHOULDER PERFORMANCE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH MIGRAINE
Migraine is a significant health problem due to its high prevalence and substantial contribution to disability. Individuals with migraine have been reported to exhibit myofascial trigger points, increased pain sensitivity, and altered muscle activation patterns, particularly in the trapezius muscles. As the upper and middle trapezius muscles play critical roles in scapular stability and movement, alterations in these muscles may affect scapular orientation and upper extremity function. However, studies investigating the relationship between trapezius muscle activation, scapular orientation, and upper extremity performance in individuals with migraine are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to compare trapezius muscle activation, scapular orientation, and upper extremity performance between individuals with and without migraine. We hypothesized that individuals with migraine would exhibit altered upper and middle trapezius muscle activation, impaired scapular orientation, and reduced upper extremity performance compared with healthy controls.
- Conditions
- Migraine, Upper Extremity, Muscle Activity
- Medical subject headings
- Migraine Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Migraine | Not described | |
| Control | Not described |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Trapezius muscle activity
Upper and middle trapezius muscle activations will be assessed on the dominant side using surface electromyography (sEMG). Following skin preparation, EMG sensors will be placed over the upper and middle trapezius muscles according to the recommendations of the Surface Electromyography for the Non-Invasive Assessment of Muscles (SENIAM). Resting muscle activity will be recorded prior to measurements to ensure signal quality. Muscle activations will first be recorded during maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and subsequently during arm elevation in the scapular plane. EMG data will be analyzed using EMGworks software; signals will be filtered, processed using the root mean square (RMS) method, and normalized to each participant's MVIC values, expressed as %MVIC. Additionally, upper trapezius/middle trapezius activation ratios will be calculated, and muscle activation levels will be categorized according to predefined threshold values.
Measured: Single assessment at baseline
Secondary outcomes (3)
Scapular rotation
Scapular upward rotation will be assessed using a digital inclinometer at shoulder elevation angles of 0°, 45°, 90°, and 135°. Participants will stand comfortably with the elbow extended and elevate the arm with the thumb pointing upward to the target angles. The inclinometer will be positioned over the scapular spine to measure scapular upward rotation at each angle. Three measurements will be obtained at each position with 30-second rest intervals, and the mean value will be used for analysis.
Measured: Single assessment at baseline
Pain
The pressure pain threshold of the upper trapezius muscle will be assessed using a digital algometer. Measurements will be performed at the midpoint between the C7 vertebra and the acromion using a 1-cm diameter rubber probe. Pressure will be gradually increased until the participant first reports pain or discomfort. Three measurements will be obtained with 30-second intervals, and the mean value (N/m²) will be used for analysis.
Measured: Single assessment at baseline
Upper extremity performance
Upper extremity mobility, stability, and proprioception in a closed kinetic chain will be assessed using the Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test. Participants will perform the test in a push-up position while reaching in the medial, inferolateral, and superolateral directions with the free hand. Reach distances will be recorded in centimeters and normalized to upper extremity length. Composite reach scores will also be calculated, with greater reach distances indicating better upper extremity dynamic balance and function.
Measured: Single assessment at baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Jun 2026
- Study start1 Apr 2026
- Primary completion1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion15 Jul 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for MigraineStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07656922
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026076
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 18 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- INVESTIGATION OF SCAPULAR MUSCLE ACTIVATION AND SHOULDER PERFORMANCE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH MIGRAINE
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07656922
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2026076
- Conditions
- Migraine, Upper Extremity, Muscle Activity
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 15 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 18 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Migraine is a significant health problem due to its high prevalence and substantial contribution to disability. Individuals with migraine have been reported to exhibit myofascial trigger points, increased pain sensitivity, and altered muscle activation patterns, particularly in the trapezius muscles. As the upper and middle trapezius muscles play critical roles in scapular stability and movement, alterations in these muscles may affect scapular orientation and upper extremity function. However, studies investigating the relationship between trapezius muscle activation, scapular orientation, and upper extremity performance in individuals with migraine are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to compare trapezius muscle activation, scapular orientation, and upper extremity performance between individuals with and without migraine. We hypothesized that individuals with migraine would exhibit altered upper and middle trapezius muscle activation, impaired scapular orientation, and reduced upper extremity performance compared with healthy controls.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Migraine | – | – |
| Control | – | – |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 55 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- Adults diagnosed with migraine according to the ICHD-3 criteria
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Aged 18-55 years
- Diagnosed with migraine by a neurologist according to the ICHD-3 criteria
- Experiencing at least 3 migraine attacks per month
- Willing to participate and provide written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Presence of other types of headache disorders
- History of trauma, fracture, or surgery involving the cranio-cervical region, scapular region, or upper extremity
- Presence of neurological or inflammatory rheumatic diseases
- Presence of psychiatric disorders
- Receiving physiotherapy or rehabilitation for migraine or the cervical, thoracic, or upper extremity regions within the past 6 months
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Trapezius muscle activity
Time frame: Single assessment at baseline
Upper and middle trapezius muscle activations will be assessed on the dominant side using surface electromyography (sEMG). Following skin preparation, EMG sensors will be placed over the upper and middle trapezius muscles according to the recommendations of the Surface Electromyography for the Non-Invasive Assessment of Muscles (SENIAM). Resting muscle activity will be recorded prior to measurements to ensure signal quality. Muscle activations will first be recorded during maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and subsequently during arm elevation in the scapular plane. EMG data will be analyzed using EMGworks software; signals will be filtered, processed using the root mean square (RMS) method, and normalized to each participant's MVIC values, expressed as %MVIC. Additionally, upper trapezius/middle trapezius activation ratios will be calculated, and muscle activation levels will be categorized according to predefined threshold values.
3 secondary outcomes
Scapular rotation
Time frame: Single assessment at baseline
Pain
Time frame: Single assessment at baseline
Upper extremity performance
Time frame: Single assessment at baseline
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 Jun 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Migraine and Upper Extremity, run by Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Trapezius muscle activity (time frame: Single assessment at baseline). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Jun 2026.