Attentional Focus Influence During Cranio-Cervical Flexion Test

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Muscle Weakness; Muscle Weakness Condition; Neck; Anomaly
• Interventions: Other: External Focus of Attention; Other: Control; Other: Internal Focus of Attention

• Registration Number: NCT03567122
• Lead Sponsor: Federal University of Health Science of Porto Alegre

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to termine if a different attentional focus would alter the motor control in cervical muscles during the cranio-cervical test.

Detailed Description

Asymptomatic subjects will be recruited to this study. Superficial electromyography of the Sternocleidomastoid, Range of Motion (ROM) and Cranio-Cervical Flexion Test (CCFT) will be measured before, immediately after change in focus of attention, 2 days after training under a particular focus of attention, and 7 days after training the task under the same focus of attention.

Subjects will be randomized into three groups: Internal focus of attention, external focus of attention and control group.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2018-06-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2018-06-12
• Study First Posted: 2018-06-25
• Study Start: 2018-08-01
• Primary Completion: 2018-08-01
• Study Completion: 2019-04-01
• Status Verified: 2019-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-07-07
• Last Update Posted: 2019-07-09

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 90

Inclusion Criteria

• Asymptomatic subjects

Exclusion Criteria

• Cervical pain
• Historic of trauma/surgery to the cervical or thoracic spine or upper limbs
• Temporomandibular pain
• Neurological or systemic disorder

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
External Focus of Attention	External Focus of Attention	30 subjects will be randomized to this arm. Only external focus of attention feedback instructions will be given during the execution and training performing the Cranio-Cervical Flexion Test. The subjects allocated to this arm will not be allowed to use the visual feedback traditionally provided during the Cranio-cervical Flexion Test. In addition, they will use just a laser point attached to the head to guide their cranio-cervical flexion.
Control	Control	30 subjects will be randomized to this arm. The participants allocated to this arm will be instructed as traditionally during the Cranio-Cervical Flexion Test. They will be given visual feedback while have their attention guided to the inner neck movement.
Internal Focus of Attention	Internal Focus of Attention	30 subjects will be randomized to this arm. Only internal focus of attention feedback instructions will be given during the execution and training performing the Cranio-Cervical Flexion Test. The subjects allocated to this arm will not be allowed to use the visual feedback traditionally provided during the Cranio-cervical Flexion Test.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change from baseline in Electromyographic Activity of Sternocleidomastoid	Baseline, Immediately after baseline, Post-Training (2 days after the baseline), Retention (7 days after finished training)	The Electromyography (EMG) signal amplitude will be determined by the root mean square (RMS) value computed over intervals of 1 s during each 10-s contraction. RMS will be expressed as a percentage of the maximum RMS value during the reference voluntary contraction.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Cranio-cervical Range of Motion	Baseline, Immediately after baseline, Post-Training (2 days after the baseline), Retention (7 days after finished training)	A neutral position and full range of active cranio-cervical flexion photograph will be taken using a digital camera. That camera will be positioned on a tripod horizontally parallel to the subject's head/neck region at a distance of 80 cm, anatomical markers positioned on the tragus of the ear, the mental protuberance of the mandible and the lateral aspect of the neck. Photos will be taken when the subject reached each level of the craniocervical flexion test. The Cranio-cervical Range of Motion will be expressed as relative percentage of degrees compared to the full range of motion.
Cranio-Cervical Flexion Test Performance	Baseline, Immediately after baseline, Post-Training (2 days after the baseline), Retention (7 days after finished training)	Subjects will instructed to reach each one of the five stages (22-30 mmHg) of the test and hold the pressure as steady as possible for 10s. The stage will be mark as successful if the participant reaches the stage level and hold steady the pressure during the 10-s contrition. However, the individuals that reaches the stage-aimed pressure but are unable to maintain the pressure stable during the 10s contraction or use compensating strategies will be marked as unsuccessful.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde; 🇧🇷 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil