Short-Term Effects of Combined Manual Therapy to the Cervical and Thoracic Spine

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Neck Pain
• Interventions: Other: Manual Therapy

• Registration Number: NCT01318720
• Lead Sponsor: Masefield and Cavallaro Physical Therapy

Brief Summary

Neck pain continues to be a prevalent condition in our society. Manual therapy (hands on techniques for the treatment of neck pain is an intervention commonly implemented in clinical practice. Recently researchers and clinicians have implemented manual therapy techniques to the thoracic spine (midback) to treat patients with neck pain. To date no studies have examined the short-term combined effects of thoracic spine manual therapy and cervical spine manual therapy in the treatment of patients with mechanical neck pain. The purpose this study is to assess the combined effects of thoracic spine thrust manipulation with cervical spine non-thrust manipulation in patients with neck pain.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2009-11
• Study First Submitted: 2011-03-17
• Study First Submitted QC: 2011-03-17
• Study First Posted: 2011-03-18
• Primary Completion: 2012-06
• Study Completion: 2012-06
• Status Verified: 2015-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-04-06
• Last Update Posted: 2015-04-07

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 64

Inclusion Criteria

• Neck pain of less than 3 months
• No symptoms below the shoulder
• Baseline Neck Disability Index score of 10 or greater

Exclusion Criteria

• Red flags noted in the patient's Medical Screening Questionnaire (i.e. tumor, fracture, metabolic disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, prolonged use of steroid, etc)
• History of whiplash injury within the past two months
• Diagnosis of cervical spinal stenosis
• Uni-lateral or bi-lateral upper extremity radicular symptoms
• Evidence of central nervous system involvement
• Two or more positive neurological signs consistent with nerve root involvement: myotomal muscle weakness, dermatomal sensory loss, diminished or absent reflexes
• Prior surgery to the neck or thoracic spine
• Pending legal action regarding their neck pain, or patients with no fault or workers compensation claims
• Insufficient English language skills to complete the questionnaires
• Inability to comply with treatment and follow-up schedule
• Women who may be pregnant

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Manipulation	Manual Therapy	The experimental group is receiving thoracic spine thrust manipulation and cervical spine non-thrust manipulation.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Neck Disability Index (NDI)	Short-term outcome 1 week	Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a disease-specific outcome measure specifically used in patients with neck pain. The NDI has been shown to be reliable and valid in individuals with mechanical neck pain.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Global Rating of Change (GROC)	Short-term outcome 1 week	The Global Rating of Change is a outcome measure used to assess patient perceived recovery following interventions.

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Long Island University; 🇺🇸 Brooklyn, New York, United States

Masefield Cavallaro Physical Therapy; 🇺🇸 Brooklyn, New York, United States