Manual Therapy on Head-repositioning Accuracy and Static Postural Balance in Neck Pain Patients

Phase 1

Completed

• Conditions: Neck Pain
• Interventions: Procedure: Manual mobilization on cervical spine; Procedure: Infra-red therapy with self exercise pamphlet

• Registration Number: NCT01310595
• Lead Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Brief Summary

To investigate the effect of cervical manual mobilization on head repositioning accuracy and postural balance in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain in a randomized controlled trial. Hypothesis: There is no difference between the intervention group (manual mobilization) and control group head repositioning accuracy and postural balance.

Detailed Description

The aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of manual therapy to standing balance and head-neck proprioception sense in patients with chronic neck pain. The study will recruit 120 chronic neck pain patients and randomize the into 2 groups of 60. Group 1 will receive a course of manual therapy and infrared radiation for 15 minutes (twice weekly for 12 sessions). The other group (control) will receive infrared radiation therapy only. Manual therapy will be provided by experienced physiotherapists and assessed by a separate assessor. All outcome measures will be assessed at the beginning of study, upon completion of intervention, 3-month and 6-month after the completion of study. All measurements collected will be analysed by computerized statistical software in order to calculate the effectiveness of manual therapy and relationship among those outcome measurements.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2010-01
• Study First Submitted: 2011-03-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2011-03-07
• Study First Posted: 2011-03-08
• Primary Completion: 2013-07
• Status Verified: 2013-08
• Study Completion: 2013-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2013-08-26
• Last Update Posted: 2013-08-28

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 145

Inclusion Criteria

• Aged 18 to 65 years
• Presented with a complaint of neck pain (defined as pain in the region from the upper thoracic spine to the occiput and the surrounding musculature) for more than 7 weeks.
• Had not received neck pain treatment in the past 1 month

Exclusion Criteria

• Onset of presenting neck pain episode after trauma (eg, whiplash)
• History of cervical injury of trauma since the onset of presenting neck pain episode
• History of cervical injury or trauma
• Neck pain due to fracture, tumor, infection, severe spondyloarthropathy, or other non-mechanical cause such as inflammatory arthritis;
• Progressive neurological deficit, myelopathy, herniated nucleus pulpous, or severe incapacitating pain;
• Being treated by electrical devices;
• Blood coagulation disorder or were using corticosteroids or anticoagulant medications;
• History of stroke or transient ischemic attacks;
• Vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency;
• Neurologic disease (eg, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, syringomyelia);
• Congenital anomalies involving the C-spine;
• Systemic disease (eg, diabetes mellitus);
• Pain involving third-party liability or Workers' Compensation.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Manual mobilization on cervical spine	Manual mobilization on cervical spine	Manual mobilization given on cervical spine with infra-red therapy and self exercise and advice pamphlet.
Infra-red radiation therapy	Infra-red therapy with self exercise pamphlet	Infra-red radiation therapy with self exercise pamphlet given to patients with chronic mechanical neck pain.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Head repositioning accuracy	up to 6 month post intervention	Head re-positioning accuracy by using laser-pointer mounted in a cyclist helmet.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Northwick Park Questionnaire	up to 6 month post intervention	Neck disability questionnaire
Postural balance	up to 6 month post intervention	Standing postural sway using computerized validated equipment.
Numeric Pain Rating Scale	up to 6 month post intervention	Subjective numeric pain rating scale from 0 - 10.
Active neck range of motion	up to 6 month post intervention	Active neck range of motion using 3-dimensional goniometer.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Physiotherapy Department, Prince of Wales Hospital; 🇭🇰 Stain, Hong Kong