Musculoskeletal Science and Practice最新文献

{"title":"Associations between left/right judgment task performance and psychosocial pain factors in women with fibromyalgia: A cross-sectional study","authors":"Erick Atenas-Núñez ,&nbsp;María Jesús Muñoz-Yánez ,&nbsp;Andrea Lizama-Lefno ,&nbsp;Ángel Roco-Videla ,&nbsp;Mayte Serrat ,&nbsp;Sergio Flores-Carrasco","doi":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103423","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103423","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background/objectives</h3><div>Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain condition characterized by widespread pain and associated with psychosocial factors such as kinesiophobia and catastrophizing. This study aims to identify psychosocial variables that explain variance in left/right judgment task (LRJ) performance in women with FM and to compare LRJ performance between women with low pain intensity and those with moderate-high pain intensity.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional study was conducted with 56 women recruited from a rehabilitation foundation. Pain intensity, kinesiophobia, and catastrophizing were assessed using validated instruments, including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. LRJ tasks were performed with Recognise™ software, measuring reaction time (RT) and accuracy (AC). Data were analyzed with multiple linear regression models and Mann-Whitney U tests to examine variables that explained variance in LRJ performance and to compare groups with low versus moderate-high pain intensity.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Age and kinesiophobia significantly explained variance in RT, accounting for up to 10.2 % of the variation. Pain intensity explained 21 % of the variance in AC when combined with age. Significant differences in RT and AC were observed between women with low pain intensity and those with moderate-high pain intensity.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Age, pain intensity, and kinesiophobia influence LRJ performance in women with FM, supporting the hypothesis of an altered body schema in this population. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive treatment that addresses both physical and psychosocial factors, and suggest that LRJ-based strategies could be further explored as complementary tools in rehabilitation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56036,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Science and Practice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 103423"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145208397","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acceptability of a 12-week movement program (Motum) to address functional outcomes in people with chronic non-specific low back pain: a mixed methods pilot study","authors":"Alice Farmer ,&nbsp;Saravana Kumar ,&nbsp;Harry Truong ,&nbsp;Jacinta Brinsley","doi":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103424","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103424","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) is a major cause of disability globally. Due to the multifactorial nature of CNSLBP, non-pharmacological management such as exercise therapy, has been recommended as a first-line treatment. This pilot study examined the acceptability and clinical impact of a novel physiotherapist-led movement-based intervention for people with CNSLBP.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A mixed-methods study design was used. Twenty-nine adults with CNSLBP were allocated to a 12-week movement-based program (Motum) or waitlist control. The intervention comprised 12 sessions based on fundamental movement patterns and motor control principles. The primary outcome was acceptability and secondary measures were balance, pain, function, self-efficacy and kinesiophobia. Semi-structured interviews explored participants experiences of the intervention.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The intervention was acceptable to participants with all sub-domains (affective attitude, perceived effectiveness, intervention coherence, opportunity costs, self-efficacy, and ethicality) scoring ‘highly acceptable’ (<em>p</em> &lt; .001), except burden which scored ‘acceptable’ (<em>p</em> &lt; .02). The intervention demonstrated large positive changes for improving fear avoidance of movement (Hedges <em>g</em> = .92) and balance (<em>g</em> = 1.04) and smaller positive effects on pain and function (<em>g</em> = .62) and self-efficacy (<em>g</em> = .23), compared to controls. Themes emerging from qualitative data with 10 participants were: 1) acceptability of program structure; 2) positive impacts attributed to the intervention; and 3) barriers to engagement.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Motum was an acceptable intervention and demonstrated positive impacts across a range of clinical outcomes. While these findings are encouraging, further research through mature study designs (such as randomised controlled trials) are required to substantiate these findings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56036,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Science and Practice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 103424"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145202190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mobilisation-with-movement induces analgesia during exercise but exercise alone is not analgesic in people with lateral elbow tendinopathy: An assessor blinded, randomised crossover trial","authors":"Brooke K. Coombes ,&nbsp;Andrea Hams ,&nbsp;Rachel Tenbrink ,&nbsp;Amy Love ,&nbsp;Leanne M. Bisset","doi":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103421","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103421","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Isometric exercise has shown hypoalgesic effects in healthy individuals, while mobilisation-with-movement (MWM) has demonstrated hypoalgesia in people with lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET). This study aimed to explore the local and remote hypoalgesic effects of an isometric gripping exercise, with and without MWM, in individuals with LET.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A repeated-measures, crossover randomised study design was employed with 24 participants clinically diagnosed with LET. Each participant underwent three conditions: isometric gripping exercise (Exercise), MWM combined with isometric gripping exercise (MWM + EX), and a Control condition with a minimum 10-min wash-out period between each condition. Primary outcomes were pressure pain threshold (PPT) and temporal summation of pain (TS), assessed at local and remote sites. Secondary outcomes were pain at rest (Pain), assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS 0–10), and grip force during the exercise task.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Compared to control, pain increased immediately following Exercise, but not MWM + EX. Compared to Control, MWM + EX demonstrated higher PPT at both local and remote sites and lower first pinprick pain rating. No changes in TS were observed. Compared to Exercise, greater grip force and work was performed during contractions when MWM was applied.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>When combined with pain-provoking exercise, MWM produced hypoalgesic effects. Effects were largest when measured locally but also present at remote site, suggesting that both reduced stimulation of peripheral nociceptors and activation of descending pain inhibitory pathways may underpin its efficacy. By mitigating exercise-related pain and improving grip force, MWM may facilitate better adherence to exercise-based rehabilitation programs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56036,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Science and Practice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 103421"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Italian version of the University of Wisconsin Running Injury and Recovery Index (UWRI): cross-cultural adaptation, validity and reliability","authors":"Filippo Maselli ,&nbsp;Leonardo Pellicciari ,&nbsp;Marco Testa ,&nbsp;Valerio Barbari ,&nbsp;Fabrizio Brindisino ,&nbsp;Firas Mourad ,&nbsp;Lorenzo Storari","doi":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103420","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103420","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To translate, cross-culturally adapt and study the psychometric properties of the Wisconsin Running Injury and Recovery Index (UWRI) in Italian runners with running-related injuries (RRI).</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>clinometric study.</div></div><div><h3>Setting</h3><div>5 private outpatient physical therapy clinics.</div></div><div><h3>Participants</h3><div>144 subjects with RRI.</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome measures</h3><div>UWRI translation was performed following international guidelines. Structural validity (confirmatory factor analysis [CFA]), internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha [α]), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]), measurement error (minimal detectable change [MDC]), and construct validity (hypothesis testing).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>UWRI translation was performed without issues. CFA showed a two-factor structure (i.e., running progression and symptom surveillance subscale) (comparative fit index = 0.988; Tucker–Lewis index = 0.977; root mean square error of approximation = 0.049; standardized root mean square residual = 0.042). Each subscale presented high internal consistency (α = 0.92 and 0.75 for the running progression and symptom surveillance subscales, respectively), excellent and good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.99 and 0.89 for the running progression and symptom surveillance subscales, respectively), and acceptable measurement error (MDC = 0.33 and 2.3 points for the running progression and symptom surveillance subscales, respectively). Construct validity was moderate for both subscales as 50.0 % (2/4) of <em>a-priori</em> hypotheses were satisfied.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The validation process revealed acceptable psychometric properties of the UWRI Italian version, which can be used for research and clinical purposes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56036,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Science and Practice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 103420"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158371","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prognostic factors for upper limb and shoulder-specific disability and quality of life in participants suffering from frozen shoulder. A multicentric prospective single-cohort study","authors":"Fabrizio Brindisino ,&nbsp;Giuseppe Girardi ,&nbsp;Fabrizio Pulina ,&nbsp;Paul Salamh ,&nbsp;Santiago Navarro Ledesma ,&nbsp;Michel GCAM. Mertens ,&nbsp;Mauro Crestani ,&nbsp;Iris Chianetta ,&nbsp;Germano Guerra ,&nbsp;Daniel Feller","doi":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103417","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103417","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Identifying prognostic factors for patient outcomes is crucial in research and clinical practice, as these variables significantly impact healthcare journeys.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To investigate prognostic factors for upper limb and shoulder-specific disability and quality of life in patients with frozen shoulder (FS).</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>This multicentric prospective single-cohort study included 120 FS participants (72 females). Demographic and patient-related data were collected. Baseline upper limb and shoulder-specific disability (through DASH and SPADI scores) and quality of life (via EUROQoL 5D-5L) were dependent variables. Putative prognostic factors included daily pain, symptoms’ duration, affected arm, kinesiophobia, symptom duration, comorbidities, and corticosteroid injections. Participants underwent 12 weeks of multimodal treatment. Multivariate linear regression, adjusted for age and gender, assessed variable associations.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Baseline DASH scores significantly predicted post-treatment upper limb disability (β = 0.317, 95 %CI 0.145 to 0.489). For SPADI, only baseline Tampa Scale was significant (β = 0.630, 95 %CI 0.146 to 1.113). Comorbidities were the sole significant predictor for EUROQoL 5D-5L (β = −0.739, 95 %CI -1.300 to −0.177).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Baseline DASH scores predict future upper limb disability, while baseline kinesiophobia predicts shoulder-specific disability. Comorbidities are a significant prognostic factor for quality of life. These findings enhance our understanding of FS prognosis under conservative treatment, facilitating a more precise medical approach.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56036,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Science and Practice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 103417"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145096292","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Weight-bearing asymmetry during sit-to-stand following total hip arthroplasty: A scoping review","authors":"Thomas Gus Almonroeder ,&nbsp;Kanikkai Steni Balan Sackiriyas ,&nbsp;Haruka Hyoda ,&nbsp;Archana Yennu ,&nbsp;Sumayeh Abujaber","doi":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103419","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103419","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Individuals with hip osteoarthritis tend to offload their involved limb during sit-to-stand. However, it is unclear whether these weight-bearing asymmetries persist following total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this scoping review was to map and summarize the evidence describing weight-bearing asymmetry during the sit-to-stand task among individuals who had undergone unilateral THA.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A literature search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Health Source databases to identify studies examining weight-bearing asymmetry among individuals who had undergone THA. Studies were included if they were published in a peer-reviewed journal, included participants who had undergone primary unilateral THA, and examined bilateral ground reaction forces (i.e. “weight-bearing”) during sit-to-stand.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Seven studies met the eligibility criteria for this scoping review. All seven studies examined weight-bearing asymmetry among participants who had undergone THA (ranging from 10 weeks to 19 months prior). Each of these studies found that participants who had undergone THA tended to place greater load on their uninvolved limb, compared to their involved limb, during sit-to-stand. Four studies compared weight-bearing asymmetry for participants who had undergone THA to individuals without a history of THA (controls). Three of these four studies reported that participants who had undergone THA exhibited greater weight-bearing asymmetry compared to controls, while the remaining study found no difference in weight-bearing asymmetry between the THA and control groups.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Individuals who have undergone THA tend to offload their involved limb when performing sit-to-stands. These individuals also tend to exhibit greater weight-bearing asymmetries compared to those without THA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56036,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Science and Practice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 103419"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145096290","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Patients’ expectations and experiences of physiotherapy management of migraine","authors":"Samantha Kelley,&nbsp;Julia Treleaven,&nbsp;Lucy Thomas,&nbsp;Zhiqi Liang","doi":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103418","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103418","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Migraine is a debilitating condition with diverse presentations, and the role of physiotherapy management remains a contentious topic. There is need for an in-depth understanding of patients' expectations and lived experience of physiotherapy management of migraine. Exploration of patients’ perceptions and preferences for treatment may provide valuable management insights for both clinicians and researchers.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The aim of this study was to explore participants’ perspectives regarding physiotherapy management of migraine through semi-structured interviews with migraine sufferers.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Twenty single semi-structured interviews were conducted from March until September 2024 following recruitment at the University of Queensland, as well as via social media dissemination and poster placement at the university and various sites in the community. Reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken, and common themes were identified.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The average age of the participants was 38.15 ± 16.2 years. Three key themes were identified from the interviews, with relevant sub-themes explored: (i) Patients have varied expectations of what physiotherapy can offer; (ii) Patient preferences of physiotherapy treatments and outcomes ranged widely (iii) Physiotherapy as part of overall migraine management.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The findings indicate that patients seeking physiotherapy for management of their migraine prioritise short-term relief in parallel with being provided with long-term strategies. Physiotherapists should be equipped with the skills and knowledge to provide personalised advice and education, appropriate manual therapy and other treatments for short-term relief and self-management strategies that patients are seeking, in conjunction with broader medical care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56036,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Science and Practice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 103418"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145096291","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"“Do I need an imaging?” exploring why patients with non-specific chronic low back pain request diagnostic instrumental evaluation: a phenomenological qualitative study","authors":"Graziana Lullo ,&nbsp;Gabriele Giannotta ,&nbsp;Andrea Tamborrino ,&nbsp;Firas Mourad ,&nbsp;Massimo Esposto ,&nbsp;Giuseppe Giovannico ,&nbsp;Morten Hoegh ,&nbsp;Matteo Cioeta","doi":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103416","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103416","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to investigate patient beliefs surrounding imaging for chronic non-specific low back pain (cLBP) when it is not clinically indicated.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients diagnosed with cLBP, and thematic analysis was used to identify recurring themes from the interviews.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Eleven patients (6 females, 5 males, mean age 53 ± 15.66 years) participated in the study. Three main themes emerged: (1) cognitive dissonance: need to 'know the cause,' but recognition of multifactorial dimension of pain; (2) imaging as a treatment guide: seen as useful post-conservative treatment failure and (3) imaging has different consequences: reassuring for some; anxiety-inducing and misleading for others.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study highlights the importance of patient education regarding the limitations of diagnostic imaging for non-specific cLBP and the need for healthcare providers to communicate more effectively about alternative pain management strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56036,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Science and Practice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 103416"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145121272","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cognitive Muscular Therapy™ for low back pain: a pilot study","authors":"Stephen J. Preece ,&nbsp;Jason Smith ,&nbsp;Nathan Brookes ,&nbsp;Sally Gates ,&nbsp;Daniela Ghio","doi":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103415","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103415","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cognitive Muscular Therapy™ for Chronic Low Back Pain.</div></div><div><h3>Background</h3><div>Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a major cause of disability. Research shows that people with cLBP over activate the abdominal and superficial paraspinal muscles and this may indicate an underlying pattern of antagonistic flexor-extensor tone. This study was designed test a new intervention for cLBP, Cognitive Muscular Therapy™ (CMT). CMT integrates biomechanical training to improve postural tone with psychological techniques for pain management.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The CMT intervention included five components: Understanding back pain, General relaxation, Postural deconstruction, Contextual triggers, and Functional integration and incorporated Electromyography (EMG) biofeedback to visualise erector spinae activity. An observational case series was carried out on fifteen participants with cLBP, who each received seven weekly sessions of CMT. Alongside disability and psychological factors, the activation profile of the erector spinae was measured during walking, using EMG. Five participants provided qualitative feedback through interviews.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Significant clinical improvements were observed. The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire score reduced by 7 points, the Pain catastrophizing scale reduced by 13.2 points and the Tampa scale of kinesiophobia reduced by 7.8 points. EMG data suggested improved phasic activation of the erector spinae during walking, while interviews showed increased self-efficacy and improved pain management.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This is the first study of CMT for cLBP, showing promising results in reducing pain and disability. By integrating psychological strategies within a biomechanical framework, CMT offers a novel approach to retraining muscle activity. Future work is now required to explore the proposed mechanism of action and fully quantify the clinical effectiveness of this new intervention.</div></div><div><h3>Trial registration</h3><div>NCT05611476.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56036,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Science and Practice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 103415"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145093123","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphometric characteristics and variations of the suboccipital muscles: A cadaveric study","authors":"Menekşe Karahan ,&nbsp;Cüneyt Bozer ,&nbsp;Selman Çıkmaz ,&nbsp;Mehtap Seyaz ,&nbsp;Metehan Pehli̇van","doi":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103414","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103414","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The suboccipital muscle complex critically contributes to upper cervical biomechanics and proprioceptive regulation of head posture; however, the comprehensive morphometric characterization and prevalence of its anatomical variants remain poorly defined.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate the morphometric characteristics and variations of the suboccipital muscles, assess their symmetry, and determine prevalence of anatomical variations with potential clinical significance.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>A cross-sectional cadaveric study.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>This study was conducted on 27 cadaveric heads preserved in formalin-alcohol-phenol solution. The suboccipital muscles were dissected to expose the anatomical structures. Morphometric measurements were performed using a digital caliper. Symmetry between the left and right sides was analyzed for each muscle. The presence of anatomical variations such as bifid structures, accessory fibers, and atlantomastoid muscles was recorded.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Bilateral variations in RCPmi were observed in 11.11 % of the cadavers, while a unilateral variation in OCi was identified in 3.7 % of cases. The atlantomastoid muscle was present in 11.11 % of the specimens. No significant differences were observed in the morphometric data of the muscles on the right and left sides; all were symmetrical. No variations were observed in OCs.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study provides essential anatomical insights into the prevalence of suboccipital muscle variations, particularly in RCPmi and RCPma, which could influence clinical procedures such as dry needling and electromyography (EMG). The findings emphasize the importance of anatomical knowledge in preventing procedural complications. Future studies with larger sample sizes and functional analyses are needed to further explore the clinical impact of these variations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56036,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Science and Practice","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 103414"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145082498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}