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Attentional Focus Influence During Cranio-Cervical Flexion Test

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Muscle Weakness
Muscle Weakness Condition
Neck; Anomaly
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.

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
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline in Electromyographic Activity of SternocleidomastoidBaseline, 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
NameTimeMethod
Cranio-cervical Range of MotionBaseline, 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 PerformanceBaseline, 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

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