Assessing the Effects of Scapular Positioning on the Morphology of the Median Nerve During Upper Limb Tension Test 1 (ULTT1)

Abstract

Research Objectives To determine if there is a significant difference in median nerve morphology of the ULTT1 between resting and two scapular testing positions. Design Cross-sectional study utilizing diagnostic ultrasound to view the median nerve. Diagnostic ultrasound is a non-invasive method of viewing certain anatomical structures, as allowed by the ultrasound frequency. Setting Private University research facility. Participants Thirty healthy males and females between age 18-65 were recruited from a sample of convenience. Exclusion criteria: neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, or back pain; range of motion deficits that would prevent them from doing the testing positions; or neurological symptoms of the upper quarter. Interventions Subjects were tested using the ULTT1 in both blocked and depressed scapular positions with the height and width of the median nerve measured by diagnostic ultrasound. Main Outcome Measures Investigators used the ultrasound unit calipers to measure the height and width of the median nerve in resting and each scapular position. Results Paired t-tests with a p-value of < 0.05 were utilized to compare median nerve measurements in resting and each scapular position. No significant difference in height or width was found between resting, blocked, or depressed scapular positioning, with p-values >0.05. Conclusions Scapular position did not affect the morphology of the median nerve in this study. Author(s) Disclosures No financial gain from this study. To determine if there is a significant difference in median nerve morphology of the ULTT1 between resting and two scapular testing positions. Cross-sectional study utilizing diagnostic ultrasound to view the median nerve. Diagnostic ultrasound is a non-invasive method of viewing certain anatomical structures, as allowed by the ultrasound frequency. Private University research facility. Thirty healthy males and females between age 18-65 were recruited from a sample of convenience. Exclusion criteria: neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, or back pain; range of motion deficits that would prevent them from doing the testing positions; or neurological symptoms of the upper quarter. Subjects were tested using the ULTT1 in both blocked and depressed scapular positions with the height and width of the median nerve measured by diagnostic ultrasound. Investigators used the ultrasound unit calipers to measure the height and width of the median nerve in resting and each scapular position. Paired t-tests with a p-value of < 0.05 were utilized to compare median nerve measurements in resting and each scapular position. No significant difference in height or width was found between resting, blocked, or depressed scapular positioning, with p-values >0.05. Scapular position did not affect the morphology of the median nerve in this study.