Musculoskeletal Disorders in ViolinistsNCT07910045
Effects of Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercises in Violinists
A study testing Postural Correction and Flexibility Exercise Program and Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercise Program in people with Musculoskeletal Disorders in Violinists, run by Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study aims to investigate the effects of scapulothoracic stabilization exercises on pain, muscle strength, upper extremity function, and occupational performance in individuals who play the violin. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Musculoskeletal Disorders in Violinists
- What is being tested?
- Postural Correction and Flexibility Exercise Program and Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercise Program
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 18 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Nov 2026to 1 Feb 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- 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 40 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Be between 18 and 40 years of age. Be actively playing the violin at least 3 days per week. Have been playing the violin for at least 1 year. Voluntarily agree to participate in the study and provide written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- A history of surgery involving the shoulder, neck, or upper extremity. A history of neurological disease, such as peripheral nerve injury or cervical radiculopathy.
- A diagnosis of a rheumatological disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. A history of acute trauma within the previous 6 months. Currently participating regularly in a physiotherapy or rehabilitation program. Having a systemic disease that prevents participation in exercise. Being unable to adhere to the exercise program during the study period.
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
Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
Kırşehir, Center, 40100
Caner Karartı, Principal Investigator, PhD, 553 223 50 30 ext. +90, fzt.caner.92@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Effects of Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercises on Clinical Outcomes and Occupational Performance in Violinists: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study aims to investigate the effects of scapulothoracic stabilization exercises on pain, muscle strength, upper extremity function, and occupational performance in individuals who play the violin. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. Both groups will perform a home-based exercise program for 6 weeks, three days per week. The experimental group will additionally perform scapulothoracic stabilization exercises targeting the muscles around the shoulder blade. Pain, upper extremity function, scapular movement, muscle strength, and violin performance will be assessed before and after the intervention.
- Conditions
- Musculoskeletal Disorders in Violinists
- Being tested
- Postural Correction and Flexibility Exercise Program, Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercise Program
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Postural Correction and Flexibility Exercise ProgramOther
Participants will perform a home-based exercise program consisting of postural correction and flexibility exercises for 6 weeks, three days per week, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes. The program will include isometric scapular retraction exercises and chin tuck exercises, each performed for 5 seconds and 10 repetitions. Stretching exercises targeting the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and pectoralis minor muscles, as well as posterior capsule stretching, will be performed for 20-30 seconds and 3 repetitions. Pendulum exercises will be performed for 1-2 minutes, and shoulder circumduction exercises will be performed for 10 repetitions.
Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercise ProgramOther
Participants will perform the same postural correction and flexibility exercise program as the control group, with the addition of scapulothoracic stabilization strengthening exercises. The exercises will target the serratus anterior, upper, middle, and lower trapezius, rhomboid, and latissimus dorsi muscles. The strengthening exercises will be performed using resistance bands, with 3 sets of 10 repetitions. Exercise intensity will be adjusted according to the participant's perceived level of difficulty. The intervention will be performed for 6 weeks, three days per week, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes, under the supervision of a physiotherapist.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Active comparator | Participants in the control group will perform a home-based exercise program consisting of postural correction and flexibility exercises for 6 weeks, three days per week, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes. The program will include scapular retraction, chin tuck, stretching exercises for the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and pectoralis minor muscles, posterior capsule stretching, pendulum exercises, and shoulder circumduction exercises. Receives: Other: Postural Correction and Flexibility Exercise Program |
| Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercise Group | Experimental | Participants in the experimental group will perform the same exercise program as the control group, with the addition of scapulothoracic stabilization exercises targeting the serratus anterior, upper, middle, and lower trapezius, rhomboid, and latissimus dorsi muscles. These strengthening exercises will be performed using resistance bands, with 3 sets of 10 repetitions. Exercise intensity will be adjusted according to the participants' perceived level of difficulty. The intervention will be performed for 6 weeks, three days per week, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes. Receives: Other: Postural Correction and Flexibility Exercise Program; Other: Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercise Program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain intensity
Pain intensity at rest, during activity, and at night will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), with higher scores indicating greater pain intensity.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
Secondary outcomes (4)
Upper extremity functional performance
Upper extremity functional performance will be assessed using the 6-Minute Pegboard Test. The number of pins placed during the test period will be recorded as the performance measure, with higher values indicating better functional performance.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
Muscle strength
Muscle strength of the shoulder, neck, elbow, and wrist will be objectively assessed using a Kinvent dynamometer. Shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation; bilateral neck lateral flexion; elbow flexion and extension; wrist flexion and extension; and handgrip strength will be measured in Newtons.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
Scapular dyskinesis
Scapular position will be assessed by measuring the distances between predefined anatomical landmarks, including the T2 spinous process and superior angle of the scapula, the T4 spinous process and midpoint of the medial border of the scapula, and the T7 spinous process and inferior angle of the scapula.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
Violin performance
Occupational performance related to violin playing will be assessed using rating scales evaluating technical accuracy and intonation. Higher scores will indicate better performance.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Nov 2026
- Study start1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Feb 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Musculoskeletal Disorders in ViolinistsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Kirsehir Ahi Evran UniversitesiThe 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
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 18 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Fatih ÖZYURT, Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07910045
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026-10/158
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 2 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared.
Publications
Zinn-Kirchner ZM, Alotaibi M, Murbe D, Caffier PP. For Fiddlers on the Roof and in the Pit: Healthcare and Epidemiology of Playing-Related Problems in Violinists. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2023 Aug 28;16:2485-2497. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S425406. eCollection 2023.
PubMed 37664806Park KN, Jung DY, Kim SH. Trapezius and serratus anterior muscle strength in violinists with unilateral neck pain. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2020;33(4):631-636. doi: 10.3233/BMR-181147.
PubMed 31594199Reynolds JF, Leduc RE, Kahnert EK, Ludewig PM. Development of three-dimensional shoulder kinematic and electromyographic exposure variation analysis methodology in violin musicians. Ergonomics. 2014;57(7):1021-39. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2014.907448. Epub 2014 Apr 30.
PubMed 24787910Ackermann B, Adams R, Marshall E. The effect of scapula taping on electromyographic activity and musical performance in professional violinists. Aust J Physiother. 2002;48(3):197-203. doi: 10.1016/s0004-9514(14)60224-5.
PubMed 12217069
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercises on Clinical Outcomes and Occupational Performance in Violinists: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07910045
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2026-10/158
- Conditions
- Musculoskeletal Disorders in Violinists
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 18 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Kirsehir Ahi Evran UniversitesiUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 2 Nov 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.
This study aims to investigate the effects of scapulothoracic stabilization exercises on pain, muscle strength, upper extremity function, and occupational performance in individuals who play the violin. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. Both groups will perform a home-based exercise program for 6 weeks, three days per week. The experimental group will additionally perform scapulothoracic stabilization exercises targeting the muscles around the shoulder blade. Pain, upper extremity function, scapular movement, muscle strength, and violin performance will be assessed before and after the intervention.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Active comparator | Other: Postural Correction and Flexibility Exercise ProgramParticipants in the control group will perform a home-based exercise program consisting of postural correction and flexibility exercises for 6 weeks, three days per week, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes. The program will include scapular retraction, chin tuck, stretching exercises for the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and pectoralis minor muscles, posterior capsule stretching, pendulum exercises, and shoulder circumduction exercises. |
| Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercise Group | Experimental | Other: Postural Correction and Flexibility Exercise Program, Other: Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercise ProgramParticipants in the experimental group will perform the same exercise program as the control group, with the addition of scapulothoracic stabilization exercises targeting the serratus anterior, upper, middle, and lower trapezius, rhomboid, and latissimus dorsi muscles. These strengthening exercises will be performed using resistance bands, with 3 sets of 10 repetitions. Exercise intensity will be adjusted according to the participants' perceived level of difficulty. The intervention will be performed for 6 weeks, three days per week, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Be between 18 and 40 years of age. Be actively playing the violin at least 3 days per week. Have been playing the violin for at least 1 year. Voluntarily agree to participate in the study and provide written informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- A history of surgery involving the shoulder, neck, or upper extremity. A history of neurological disease, such as peripheral nerve injury or cervical radiculopathy.
- A diagnosis of a rheumatological disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. A history of acute trauma within the previous 6 months. Currently participating regularly in a physiotherapy or rehabilitation program. Having a systemic disease that prevents participation in exercise. Being unable to adhere to the exercise program during the study period.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Postural Correction and Flexibility Exercise ProgramParticipants will perform a home-based exercise program consisting of postural correction and flexibility exercises for 6 weeks, three days per week, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes. The program will include isometric scapular retraction exercises and chin tuck exercises, each performed for 5 seconds and 10 repetitions. Stretching exercises targeting the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and pectoralis minor muscles, as well as posterior capsule stretching, will be performed for 20-30 seconds and 3 repetitions. Pendulum exercises will be performed for 1-2 minutes, and shoulder circumduction exercises will be performed for 10 repetitions. | Other | Control Group, Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercise Group |
| Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercise ProgramParticipants will perform the same postural correction and flexibility exercise program as the control group, with the addition of scapulothoracic stabilization strengthening exercises. The exercises will target the serratus anterior, upper, middle, and lower trapezius, rhomboid, and latissimus dorsi muscles. The strengthening exercises will be performed using resistance bands, with 3 sets of 10 repetitions. Exercise intensity will be adjusted according to the participant's perceived level of difficulty. The intervention will be performed for 6 weeks, three days per week, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes, under the supervision of a physiotherapist. | Other | Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercise Group |
Primary outcome
Pain intensity
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
Pain intensity at rest, during activity, and at night will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), with higher scores indicating greater pain intensity.
4 secondary outcomes
Upper extremity functional performance
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
Muscle strength
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
Scapular dyskinesis
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
Violin performance
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention
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 2 Nov 2026.
- Background: PubMed 37664806Zinn-Kirchner ZM, Alotaibi M, Murbe D, Caffier PP. For Fiddlers on the Roof and in the Pit: Healthcare and Epidemiology of Playing-Related Problems in Violinists. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2023 Aug 28;16:2485-2497. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S425406. eCollection 2023.
- Background: PubMed 31594199Park KN, Jung DY, Kim SH. Trapezius and serratus anterior muscle strength in violinists with unilateral neck pain. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2020;33(4):631-636. doi: 10.3233/BMR-181147.
- Background: PubMed 24787910Reynolds JF, Leduc RE, Kahnert EK, Ludewig PM. Development of three-dimensional shoulder kinematic and electromyographic exposure variation analysis methodology in violin musicians. Ergonomics. 2014;57(7):1021-39. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2014.907448. Epub 2014 Apr 30.
- Background: PubMed 12217069Ackermann B, Adams R, Marshall E. The effect of scapula taping on electromyographic activity and musical performance in professional violinists. Aust J Physiother. 2002;48(3):197-203. doi: 10.1016/s0004-9514(14)60224-5.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared.
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?
A study testing Postural Correction and Flexibility Exercise Program and Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercise Program in people with Musculoskeletal Disorders in Violinists, run by Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi 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 1 inclusion and 2 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Nov 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?
Contact Fatih Özyurt, MsC (5393358469 ext. +90, fatih.ozyurt10@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain intensity (time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07910045, which also lists 4 linked publications.
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 2 Nov 2026.