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Effects of Global Postural Exercises Versus Specific Therapeutic Neck Exercises in Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Chronic Pain
Neck Pain
Interventions
Other: Exercise Therapeutic
Other: Global Postural Reeducation
Registration Number
NCT04402463
Lead Sponsor
University of Salamanca
Brief Summary

This study is a randomized, parallel, blinded, clinical trial of treatments. The general objective of this study is to analyze and compare the short-term results, during a 4-week follow-up, of two different treatments in patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain.

The treatments to be applied are Global Postural Reeducation (GPR) and specific therapeutic exercise, applied during 8 treatment sessions in 4 weeks. These treatments will be applied by a physiotherapist with clinical experience in the treatment of cervical pain.

During the study, 4 evaluations will be carried out to assess the effects of the interventions on pain, disability, standing postural control and neuromuscular behavior of the cervical muscles ((1) Baseline (pre-intervention); 2) Second pre-intervention (1 week later); 3) 1st post-intervention after four sessions (1+2 weeks later); 4) Final, 2nd post-intervention (1+4 weeks later))

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
52
Inclusion Criteria
  • Non-specific chronic neck pain (neck or upper shoulder pain that is not related to a known pathology or injury, with an evolution of at least 12 weeks)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Specific cause of cervical pain (systemic, traumatic, rheumatic pathology, discal pathology,...)
  • Central or peripheral neurological signs
  • Cognitive impairment to follow instructions during the evaluations or interventions
  • History of cervical surgery
  • Treatment of physical therapy in the last 3 months
  • Pharmacologic treatment during the study

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Exercise GroupExercise TherapeuticTherapeutic exercises. That they will be divided into 3 phases: The exercises in these phases will consist in active exercises of the cervical spine and shoulder girdle, motor control exercises, and finally strength and endurance of the cervical flexors and extensors and of the musculature of the shoulder girdle.
GPR GroupGlobal Postural ReeducationGlobal Postural Reeducation with 2 parts in each session: 1. st: 2 postures in lying position - without gravity load (15 minutes each posture): The aim of these postures is to achieve and maintain postural balance and to stretch the posterior muscle chain. In order to achieve this, specific exercises in the lying position are used. That exercises involve a precise use of contractions, stretch reflexes, light and controlled manual tractions and sustained elongations. The maintenance of alignment during posture will be achieved by verbal commands and manual contact of the therapist, guaranteeing the active engagement of patient to reach the correct posture. 2. st: Standing posture - integration under gravity load (10 minutes): With the participant standing the physiotherapist makes final corrections for postural integration.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in neck pain intensity before, during and after the intervention5 weeks. 4 time points: 1) Baseline (pre-intervention); 2) Second pre-intervention (1 week later); 3) 1st post-intervention after four sessions (1+2 weeks later); 4) Final, 2nd post-intervention (1+4 weeks later)

Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) will be used. It is a scale used to quantify the patient's pain level on an 11-point numerical scale 0-10 with 0 being "no pain" and 10 being the "worst possible pain."

Changes in disability before, during and after the intervention5 weeks. 3 time points: 1) Baseline (pre-intervention); 2) Second pre-intervention (1 week later); 3) Final, 2nd post-intervention (1+4 weeks later)

The Neck Disability Index (NDI) will be used. It is a modification of the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index. It is a scale used to measure disability associated with cervical pain due to acute or chronic conditions. He has 10 items: 7 related to activities of daily living, 2 related to pain and 1 related to concentration. The test can be interpreted with a maximum score of 50.

0 - 4 = no disability 5 - 14 = mild 15 - 24 = moderate 25 - 34 = severe above 34 = complete

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) before, during and after the intervention5 weeks. 3 time points: 1) Baseline (pre-intervention); 2) Second pre-intervention (1 week later); 3) Final, 2nd post-intervention (1+4 weeks later)

Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) will be used. People are asked to indicate the degree to which they have the above thoughts and feelings when they are experiencing pain using the 0 (not at all) to 4 (all the time) scale. A total score is yielded (ranging from 0-52).

Changes in Electromyography parameters of cervical flexor muscles before, during and after the5 weeks. 3 time points: 1) Baseline (pre-intervention); 2) Second pre-intervention (1 week later); 3) Final, 2nd post-intervention (1+4 weeks later)

Surface electromyographic signals will be acquired with electrodes from sternocleidomastoid and anterior scalene muscles.

Changes in Pressure Pain Threshold (PPTs) before, during and after the intervention5 weeks. 4 time points: 1) Baseline (pre-intervention); 2) Second pre-intervention (1 week later); 3) 1st post-intervention after four sessions (1+2 weeks later); 4) Final, 2nd post-intervention (1+4 weeks later)

Pressure algometry measurements will be performed with a digital algometer to assess pressure pain thresholds on the trapezius muscles and the spinous process of the 2nd and 6th cervical vertebrae.

Changes in Static postural stability before, during and after the5 weeks. 3 time points: 1) Baseline (pre-intervention); 2) Second pre-intervention (1 week later); 3) Final, 2nd post-intervention (1+4 weeks later)

Postural assessment will be examined with the subjects standing on a force platform to evaluate the stabilometry parameters of Center of Pressure (COP) excursions (displacements, velocities, areas and pressures) in different conditions.

Changes in Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) before, during and after the intervention5 weeks. 4 time points: 1) Baseline (pre-intervention); 2) Second pre-intervention (1 week later); 3) 1st post-intervention after four sessions (1+2 weeks later); 4) Final, 2nd post-intervention (1+4 weeks later)

The Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device (Performance Attainment Associates, USA) will be used to measure the cervical range of motion, including flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation.

Changes in Tampa Scale for kinesiophobia (TSK-13) before, during and after the intervention5 weeks. 3 time points: 1) Baseline (pre-intervention); 2) Second pre-intervention (1 week later); 3) Final, 2nd post-intervention (1+4 weeks later)

The Tampa Scale for kinesiophobia (TSK-13) will be used. It is a patient-reported outcome measure designed to help identify kinesiophobia. This version is a 13-item questionnaire aimed at the assessment of fear of movement/re-injury. Each item is provided with a 4-points Likert scale with scoring alternatives ranging from "strongly disagree" \[0\] to "strongly agree" \[4\] . This gives a possible total raw score range from 0 to 52.

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Instituto Politécnico da Guarda

🇵🇹

Guarda, Portugal

University of Salamanca

🇪🇸

Salamanca, Spain

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