Electromyographic Muscle Activity and Three-Dimensional Scapular Kinematics in Patients With Multidirectional Shoulder Instability: A Study in the Hypermobile Type of the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and the Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate differences in electromyography (EMG), muscle activity, and scapular kinematics during elevation in the scapular plane between healthy controls, participants with multidirectional shoulder laxity (MDL), and patients with multidirectional shoulder instability (MDI) who are diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) or hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD).

METHODS

Twenty-seven women with hEDS/HSD and MDI, 27 female healthy control subjects, and 28 female subjects with MDL participated in this study. Scapular 3-dimensional kinematic data were obtained using 8 Oqus Qualisys cameras. Simultaneously, surface EMG was used to measure muscle activity of the upper, middle, and lower trapezius, infraspinatus, latissimus dorsi, serratus anterior, posterior deltoid, and pectoralis major during arm elevation in the scapular plane. Group differences were assessed using statistical parametric mapping.

RESULTS

Regarding scapular kinematics, significantly less upward rotation was observed in hEDS/HSD patients with MDI compared to both healthy controls and MDL subjects. Significantly less posterior tilt was seen in hEDS/HSD patients compared to MDL subjects. Furthermore, significantly higher EMG activity of the infraspinatus, middle trapezius, and posterior deltoid was found in hEDS/HSD patients with MDI.

CONCLUSION

hEDS/HSD patients with MDI demonstrate altered scapular kinematics and increased EMG muscle activity compared to subjects without MDI. These findings could serve as a stepping stone for future research regarding treatment strategies in patients whose conditions belong to the hypermobility spectrum.