University of Houston
The goal of the proposed project is to evaluate a mechanical intervention (sports bras designed specifically for full busted women) to alleviate neck, shoulder, arm, and back pain in full-busted women and investigate the contribution of non-mechanical pathways associated with this type of pain in women. Specifically, the investigators will investigate how sex-hormones, inflammation, and remapping of specific regions of the brain contribute to the manifestation of neck, shoulder, arm, and back pain in full-busted women across the lifespan.
Approximately 130 million individuals in the US (39% of the US population) are living with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Women experience more localizations of pain across their lifespan. Women report significantly more pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, back, and breasts due to altered musculoskeletal activity within in the neck and thoracic region due to the presence of breast tissue. Neck, shoulder, arm, and back (NSAB) pain has been strongly linked to bra cup size. Since 2000, there has been a significant increase in women's average bra cup size from B to E; women with cup sizes D and abov…
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Able to provide informed consent 2. Age of 18 to 60 years 3. Assigned female sex at birth 4. Right-handed by self-declaration 5. Willing to participate in one online testing session and up to four in-person testing sessions 6. Bra band size between 32-40" 7. International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF) score of 2 or higher 8. An answer of "NO" to any item of the general health questions of the PARQ+ 9. No history of surgery to the: back, neck, or shoulders or joint replacement 10. No history of implanted pacemakers or other stimulation devices 11…
This study involves use of observation and analysis of behavior in assessing breast motion and associated health outcomes while using a provided interventional sports bra of participant choice (Bounceless bra or Shefit Ultimate bra) for 3 months.
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