Acute Effects of Action Observation on Neck Pain

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Neck Pain
• Interventions: Other: Action-observation therapy; Other: Placebo

• Registration Number: NCT05078489
• Lead Sponsor: Aveiro University

Brief Summary

This study aims to assess the immediate effects of action observation therapy on the cervical muscles' strength, pain intensity, tactile acuity and pain pressure threshold in individuals with chronic nonspecific neck pain.

Detailed Description

This study is a randomized controlled trial with two arms: action observation group vs control group. The action observation group will be asked to watch videos of neck exercises with full attention and concentration and not perform any motion or execute any movement during the observation time. The control group will be asked to watch videos of a landscape.

Participants will be assessed at baseline and at post-intervention for muscle strength, pain intensity, pressure pain threshold and tactile acuity.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2021-10-04
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-10-04
• Study First Posted: 2021-10-14
• Study Start: 2021-11-20
• Primary Completion: 2022-10-30
• Status Verified: 2023-02
• Study Completion: 2023-02-15
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-02-17
• Last Update Posted: 2023-02-21

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• Have nonspecific chronic neck pain, defined as a recurrent or persistent pain that lasts more than 3 months, with no trauma or etiology/diagnosis associated.

Exclusion Criteria

• Visual and hearing dysfunction not corrected by eyeglasses/contact lenses or a hearing aid;
• Infectious diseases;
• Cervical myelopathy;
• Cervical surgery;
• Cervical fracture or/and subluxation;
• Vestibular pathology;
• Neurological disorder/deficits;
• Rheumatic autoimmune diseases;
• History of cancer;
• Severe cervical trauma.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Action-observation arm	Action-observation therapy	Participants will be asked to watch videos of neck exercises without performing any exercise. The intervention will take approximately 15 minutes.
Placebo intervention	Placebo	Participants will be asked to watch videos of landscapes. The intervention will take approximately 15 minutes.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pressure pain thresholds	Post-intervention (within the same session of the baseline assessment but approximately 30 minutes after that).	Pressure pain thresholds are the minimum amount of pressure applied with an algometer that is perceived as being painful; is measured in Kgf

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pain intensity	Post-intervention (within the same session of the baseline assessment but approximately 30 minutes after that).	Measured with a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale
Neck flexors strength	Post-intervention (within the same session of the baseline assessment but approximately 30 minutes after that).	A dynamometer will be used against the forehead of the participants to quantify the isometric strength and units of measurement will be Newtons.
Neck extensors strength	Post-intervention (within the same session of the baseline assessment but approximately 30 minutes after that).	A dynamometer will be used against the posterior part of the head of the participants to quantify the isometric strength and units of measurement will be Newtons.
Tactile acuity	Post-intervention (within the same session of the baseline assessment but approximately 30 minutes after that).	Assessed as the ability of the participant to distinguish two points using a caliper and the measurement units is millimetres.
Neck lateral flexors strength	Post-intervention (within the same session of the baseline assessment but approximately 30 minutes after that).	A dynamometer will be used against the lateral aspect of the head of the participants to quantify the isometric strength and units of measurement will be Newtons.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

School of Health Sciences, University of Aveiro; 🇵🇹 Aveiro, Portugal