MedPath

Normalizing Cervical Intersegmental Kinematics With Spinal Manipulative Therapy

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Neck Pain
Interventions
Other: Light Massage
Other: SMT
Registration Number
NCT06312696
Lead Sponsor
University of Minnesota
Brief Summary

The broad long-term objective is to develop an objective biomarker for spinal health based on aberrant or abnormal movement patterns during functional activities to better target spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) and other conservative treatments. The central hypotheses are a) that aberrant spinal motions and their location (area and level) are indicative of underlying spinal dysfunction, and b) that quantified 3D cervical spine intersegmental and global motion patterns during functional tasks can be used as a biomarker for subsequent clinical studies aimed at normalizing cervical kinematics.

Specific Aim: Determine the extent to which SMT can modulate, or normalize, intersegmental motion in patients with neck pain. Rationale: SMT is a force-based biomechanical event whose hypothesized mechanism of action relies on moving the segment into the para-physiological zone, resulting in normalization of spinal kinematic function. Hypothesis: Severity of abnormal or aberrant motion, identified in those with NP, will improve following SMT. Approach: Participants with chronic mechanical neck pain will be recruited and randomized into one of three groups: 1) No Treatment, 2) Light Massage (pseudo- sham), and 3) Spinal Manipulative Therapy. Using a repeated measures study design, metrics of quality of spinal motion will be compared before and after the prescribed intervention.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • Nonspecific, mechanical neck pain equivalent to grades I or II (Bone and Joint Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders classification2 for >12 weeks
  • Ages 18 to 39
  • Pain intensity >3 (0-10 scale)
Exclusion Criteria
  • American Society of Anesthesiology Class III conditions and/or serious mental health conditions
  • Botox injections (which resulted in clinical relief) in the past 3 months
  • Chronic opioid use
  • Contraindications to spinal manipulation (e.g. cervical instability; complicating neurological conditions) Spinal manipulation or mobilization of cervical spine in prior 6 months
  • Ongoing non-pharmacological treatment for neck pain
  • History of cervical spine surgery
  • Pregnancy, currently trying to get pregnant, lactation
  • Contraindications to radiation exposure

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Pseudo sham groupLight MassageLight massage group
Experimental groupSMTSpinal Manipulative therapy group
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Intersegmental and Global Range of Motion1 hr

analysis will consist of calculating the percent contribution of each functional spinal unit to the overall global motion. To do that, cervical spine ROM (global and intersegmental), angular change between the beginning and end of motion, will be quantified for all planar bending directions.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Neck disability1 hr

will be measured using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), an instrument previously shown to be reliable and valid for adults with neck pain.

physical function1 hr

will also be measured using the relevant domains of the PROMIS-29 Profile v2.0 Instrument - recommended by an NIH task force on research standards for back pain.

Overall function assessment1 hr

The Short Form-36 (SF-36) will also be collected to assess overall function.

Neck pain intensity1 hr

will be measured using the 11-box numerical rating scale (NRS). The NRS is a reliable and valid outcome measure for individuals with pain and is recommended by both the Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials (IMMPACT) group and the NIH task force on research standards for back pain.

depression1 hr

will also be measured using the relevant domains of the PROMIS-29 Profile v2.0 Instrument - recommended by an NIH task force on research standards for back pain.

Pain interference1 hr

will also be measured using the relevant domains of the PROMIS-29 Profile v2.0 Instrument - recommended by an NIH task force on research standards for back pain.

sleep disturbance1 hr

will also be measured using the relevant domains of the PROMIS-29 Profile v2.0 Instrument - recommended by an NIH task force on research standards for back pain.

Fear of pain assessment1 hr

Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) 68 will also be collected to assess fear of pain and aversion to physical activity/movement.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Minnesota

🇺🇸

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath