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Restoring Normal Sagittal Thoracic Posture Improves Management Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain

Not Applicable
Conditions
Rehabilitation
Registration Number
NCT04892550
Lead Sponsor
Cairo University
Brief Summary

Because changes in sagittal thoracic alignment have been reported to alter the mechanical loading of the cervical spine and decreased thoracic mobility has been identified as one of the predictors for neck and shoulder pain , it makes sense that thoracic articular treatment improves local kinematics and simultaneously neck pain improves. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a multimodal program, with thoracic hyper kyphosis rehabilitation using the Denneroll™ thoracic traction orthosis , applied to participants with chronic non-specific neck pain and thoracic hyper-kyphosis.

Detailed Description

Interventions directed at improving hyper-kyphosis of the thoracic spine may have therapeutic effects on the cervical spine; however, there is a lack of controlled studies evaluating this. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect effects of a multimodal program, with thoracic hyper kyphosis rehabilitation using the Denneroll™ thoracic traction orthosis , applied to participants with chronic non-specific neck pain and thoracic hyper-kyphosis.

In this study, 80 participants, with chronic non-specific neck pain and thoracic hyper-kyphosis will be included. Participants will be randomly assigned to the control or an intervention group. Both groups will receive the multimodal program; additionally, the intervention group received the Denneroll™ thoracic traction orthosis. Outcome measures will include kyphotic angle (max.), neck pain and disability , sensorimotor control outcomes; head repositioning accuracy , smooth pursuit neck torsion test and overall stability index . Measures will be assessed at three intervals: baseline, 10 weeks, and 6 months after cessation of treatment.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
80
Inclusion Criteria
  • neck pain for more than 3 months
  • thoracic angle measured more 55 degrees
Exclusion Criteria
  • Any signs or symptoms of medical "red flags",
  • a history of previous spine surgery.
  • signs or symptoms of upper motor neuron disease.
  • vestibulobasilar insufficiency.
  • amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
  • bilateral upper extremity radicular symptoms.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in thoracic kyphosispre-treatment , at 10-week post treatment ,and at 6-month follow up

Thoracic kyphosis was assessed using a 4D formetric device where determination of thoracic kyphosis angle is measured between tangents from the cervicothoracic junction and that of the thoracolumbar junction

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
change in neck disability indexpre-treatment , at 10-week post treatment ,and at 6-month follow up

The neck disability index to assess activities of daily living impact was administered. The NDI has good reliability, validity, and responsiveness to change

Change in Postural Stabilitypre-treatment , at 10-week post treatment ,and at 6-month follow up

Postural stability will be evaluated with a Biodex Balance System . Dynamic balance testing will be assessed allowing simultaneous displacements in both the anterior/posterior and medial/lateral directions

Change in numerical rating scorepre-treatment , at 10-week post treatment ,and at 6-month follow up

Neck pain average intensity over the previous week was assessed using a 0-10 numerical rating score where 0 = no pain, ..., 10 = bed ridden and incapacitated.

Change in head and eye movement control: smooth pursuit neck torsion testpre-treatment , at 10-week post treatment ,and at 6-month follow up

Electro-oculography will be used for the smooth pursuit neck torsion test to assess disturbances in eye movement control. The test will be performed with the participant's head and trunk in a neutral forward position and then a trunk rotation position (head neutral, trunk in 45° rotation)

Change in cervical joint position sense testingpre-treatment , at 10-week post treatment ,and at 6-month follow up

Assessment of head repositioning accuracy with the CROM device is performed in an upright seated posture on a stool with no backrest, the CROM device is placed on the participants head, both feet were firmly on the floor with knees bent at an approximate 90° angle. The neutral head position is established as the beginning and reference positions where the CROM device is adjusted to zero for the primary plane of rotational movement. Individuals will be instructed to close their eyes, memorize the starting position, actively rotate their head 30° about the vertical axis, and reposition their head to the starting position with no requirements for speed; only accuracy was encouraged. HRA is measured as the difference in degrees in the primary plane of movement between the origin and the return positions

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