Publications
Effects of Magnetic Field Therapy and Massage on Upper Trapezius Muscle Tone, Craniovertebral Angle, and Scapular Index
Authors: Do-Youn Lee 1, Seong-Gil Kim 2
Affiliations:
- College of General Education, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Life Science, Korea National University of Transportation, Jeungpyeong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do 27930, Republic of Korea
Journal: Bioengineering - August 2025, Volume 12, Issue 9, Article no. 925 (DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering12090925)
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Field & Applications:
- Medical
- Treatment evaluation
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational Healthcare
- Balance / Postural control
- Musculoskeletal health
Myoton Clarification Note: A Guide to Interpreting the Inverse Relationship Between Logarithmic Decrement and Tissue Elasticity
This study investigated the effects of magnetic field therapy and massage on upper trapezius muscle tone, craniovertebral angle (CVA), and scapular index in young adults.
Thirty participants were randomly assigned to a magnetic field group or a massage group (n = 15 each), receiving interventions twice a week for two weeks with a one-week follow-up. Measurements were taken at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up using MyotonPRO, lateral photographs, and anatomical distances.
The magnetic group showed a greater reduction in muscle tone at post-intervention and follow-up (p = 0.015, partial η2 = 0.28, large effect) than the massage group. Elasticity decreased significantly in both groups, but follow-up values were lower in the magnetic group (p < 0.05, partial η2 = 0.25, medium effect). CVA improved in both groups, with a larger change in the magnetic group and sustained gains at follow-up (p < 0.001, partial η2 up to 0.43, large effect). The scapular index increased only in the magnetic group post-intervention (p = 0.013, partial η2 = 0.49, large effect) but returned to baseline at follow-up.
Magnetic field therapy appears more effective than massage for improving muscle tone, posture, and scapular alignment in the short term, and may be a valuable option for clinical postural correction.
Keywords: magnetic fields, massage therapy, muscle tonus, posture, trapezius muscle, young adult
This study compared the effects of massage and magnetic therapy on the muscle tone of the upper trapezius, CVA, and the Scapular Index in healthy young adults. Both interventions were effective in improving forward head posture and reducing fatigue. However, magnetic therapy demonstrated greater and more sustained improvements, with large effect sizes (partial η2 ≥ 0.25) observed in muscle tone, elasticity, and postural outcomes.
These findings suggest that magnetic therapy can induce deeper and longer-lasting physiological changes by acting synergistically on muscles, nerves, and blood flow, leading to enhanced postural correction and muscle fatigue recovery. This supports its potential integration into preventive and rehabilitative physical therapy programs, particularly for conditions involving muscle overuse or postural imbalance.
Future studies should recruit larger and more diverse populations, extend follow-up periods, and explore combined interventions with motor control or posture re-education strategies to maximize and sustain therapeutic benefits.