The effectiveness of manual therapy or pulsed shortwave diathermy (PSWD) in addition to exercise and advice for neck disorders; a pragmatic study in physiotherapy clinics

Completed

• Conditions: on-specific neck pain; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Neck pain

• Registration Number: ISRCTN77535030
• Lead Sponsor: Arthritis Research Campaign (ARC) (UK)

Brief Summary

Not available

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2002-07-15
• Last Update Posted: 13 January 2015

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 350

Inclusion Criteria

1. Males and females aged 18 years and over
2. Clinical diagnosis of neck pain and/or stiffness, including unilateral referred pain into the arm
3. No consultations for this problem with health care professionals other than the Primary Health Care Team in the previous six months
4. Ability to understand and to cooperate and capable of giving written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

1. Weight loss
2. Fever
3. Progressive neurological signs including bilateral arm pain
4. Evidence of muscle weakness or disturbance in normal sensation
5. History of malignancy
6. Inflammatory arthritis
7. Polymyalgia rheumatica
8. Osteoporosis or gross structural or neurological abnormality affecting the neck
9. Contra-indications to the study treatments (e.g. patients on anti-coagulants)
10. Any injury awaiting a compensation claim (e.g. deceleration or industrial injury)
11. Pregnancy

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified