Does the Application of a Lycra Arm Sleeve Change Shoulder Biomechanics in Young Healthy People? A Mechanistic Study

Abstract

Background/Aims: Glenohumeral subluxation (GHS) is commonly reported in people with stroke. Lycra sleeves provide a compressive and supportive effect, influencing the neuromuscular activity in the affected body segment. A recent study reported reduction in GHS (acromion-greater tuberosity (AGT) distance) following application of Lycra arm sleeve, however, its mechanism on the shoulder region as a whole is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate if application of a Lycra sleeves changes the AGT distance, muscle activity around the shoulder region and scapular position. Methods: Healthy participants aged over 18 years who gave informed consent were recruited. Measurements were taken before and immediately after application of the sleeve. Portable diagnostic ultrasound, surface electromyography and a tape measure were used to measure AGT distance, muscle activity (biceps, triceps, deltoid, and supraspinatus) and position of the scapula respectively. Findings: Thirty one participants (11 men, 20 women) with mean age 25±10 years participated. Paired-test showed significant mean reduction of 0.12 cm (95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.07-0.16cm) in AGT distance measurements (t=5.112, df=30, p=0.003), and scapula measurements (0.3cm, 95% CI 0.04-0.4cm; t=2.501; df=30, p<0.01) when compared without and with sleeve application. Conclusions: Future research should investigate the effects of the Lycra sleeve on people with GHS in the different phases of rehabilitation.

Does the Application of a Lycra Arm Sleeve Change Shoulder Biomechanics in People With Stroke?—A Preliminary Study

“…A study that explored the effect of kinesiology taping on HSP showed significant improvement in EMG activity in deltoid and supraspinatus muscle, implying that kinesiology taping can activate the muscles 33 . This is in agreement with a previous study on young able-bodied participants (n = 30) that reported a similar slight increase in muscle activity 20 . In all the studies including ours, surface electrodes were used.…”

“…Application of the Lycra sleeve resulted in mean reduction in the AGT distance (mean, 0.13 cm) when compared with the distance before application of the sleeve; however, this was not statistically significant. In contrast, previous studies on people with chronic stroke (n = 5) 19 and young able-bodied population (n = 31) 20 showed a statistically significant mean reduction of 0.24 cm and 0.12 cm, respectively, immediately after the application of sleeve. This could be attributed to differences in methodology.…”

“…33 This is in agreement with a previous study on young able-bodied participants (n = 30) that reported a similar slight increase in muscle activity. 20 In all the studies including ours, surface electrodes were used. The EMG detector, particularly if it is at the surface of the skin, collects signals from different motor units at a time, which may generate interaction of different signals.…”

“…The mechanism of Lycra arm sleeve on the shoulder region is not clearly understood; hence, we conducted a mechanistic study on able-bodied people. 20 Portable diagnostic ultrasound, surface electromyography (EMG), and a tape measure were used to measure AGT distance, muscle activity (biceps, triceps, deltoid, and supraspinatus), and position of the scapula respectively. The study found a significant mean reduction of 0.12 cm ( P = .003) in AGT distance measurements and 0.3 cm in scapula measurements ( P < .001) when compared without and with sleeve application.…”

“…In our recent study on people with chronic stroke (n = 5), 19 after the application of the Lycra arm sleeve, there was a mean reduction of 0.24 and 0.18 cm in GHS (ultrasound method of acromion-greater tuberosity [AGT] distance) on days 1 and 8, respectively. The mechanism of Lycra arm sleeve on the shoulder region is not clearly understood; hence, we conducted a mechanistic study on able-bodied people 20 . Portable diagnostic ultrasound, surface electromyography (EMG), and a tape measure were used to measure AGT distance, muscle activity (biceps, triceps, deltoid, and supraspinatus), and position of the scapula respectively.…”