Heat Versus Ice in the Acute Management of Neck and Back Strain Injuries

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Back Strain; Neck Strain
• Interventions: Other: Cold; Other: Heat

• Registration Number: NCT01535365
• Lead Sponsor: Stony Brook University

Brief Summary

Muscle sprains of the back and neck are very common. In addition to pain and antiinflammatory medications the use of either cold or hot packs has been recommended. In the current study we will compare ice packs and heat packs to see which is more effective at relieving pain from back and neck sprains while in the Emergency Department.

Detailed Description

as above

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2008-03
• Primary Completion: 2009-03
• Study Completion: 2009-03
• Study First Submitted: 2010-11-05
• Results First Submitted: 2010-11-05
• Status Verified: 2012-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2012-02-16
• Results First Submitted QC: 2012-02-16
• Last Update Submitted: 2012-02-16
• Study First Posted: 2012-02-17
• Results First Posted: 2012-02-17
• Last Update Posted: 2012-02-17

Recruitment & Eligibility

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

Inclusion Criteria

• Adult Patients with acute neck or back pain who are able to consent and are in pain on arrival to Emergency Department.

Exclusion Criteria

• Those unable or unwilling to consent, those with suspected fractures or neurologic deficits.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Cold	Cold	Application of ice pack to muscle sprain.
Heat	Heat	Application of Heat pad to site of muscle sprain.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pain Score After Treatment	30 minutes	Pain measured with validated 100 mm VAS with 0 representing no pain and 100 representing most severe pain imaginable

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Request for Rescue Analgesia	30 minutes	Number of participants requesting a rescue analgesic be given

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Stony Brook University Medical Center; 🇺🇸 Stony Brook, New York, United States