2022-2023 Grant in Aid of Research

Manubrial test: Objective evidence using Musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Kalaisenthil Kalaimani

Background: The annual prevalence of chronic neck pain among adults in the US increases significantly every year. Lack of thoracic extension believed to be a leading cause of neck pain and shoulder dysfunctions. Manubrial test is a quick, easy, and effective technique to screen unilateral upper thoracic dysfunction causing neck and shoulder pain. Rigid first thoracic ring is believed to cause the manubrial movement during cervical rotation. Currently, there is no literature or objective evidence correlating cervical rotation and manubrial movement.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to measure the movement of the manubrium during neck rotation side to side using musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Methods: It is a descriptive study with convenient sampling of 27 subjects, age ranging from 18- 65 years and at least 50 o of bilateral cervical rotation will be included in the study. Principal investigator will first test the subject’s manubrial movement during neck rotation and collect the data, then the subject’s manubrium will be assessed by an ultrasound imaging expert using musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKU) and collect the data.

Data analysis: Manubrial movement will be measured using MSKU measurement tools in association with neck movements by the ultrasound imaging expert. Then the data will be compared with the principal investigator’s findings using paired t-test to compare pre and post tests.