The Effect of Electrotherapy on Young Individuals with Neck Pain

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Neck Pain

• Registration Number: NCT06767839
• Lead Sponsor: Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University

Brief Summary

The aim of this clinical study was to investigate the effects of different electrotherapy interventions on pain and hand function in young individuals with neck pain.

The main question that the study aimed to answer is: are two different electrotherapy interventions superior to each other for pain and hand function? Participants will be assigned to either transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, high-voltage pulsed galvanic stimulation, or placebo. Participants will receive a total of 20 sessions of electrotherapy intervention, 20 minutes per day, 3 days a week. Participants will be evaluated before the intervention, after 1 session, and 1 week after the completion of the 20-session intervention.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2024-12-17
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-01-05
• Study First Posted: 2025-01-10
• Study Start: 2025-01-15
• Status Verified: 2025-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-02-24
• Last Update Posted: 2025-02-25
• Primary Completion: 2025-12
• Study Completion: 2026-06

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 36

Inclusion Criteria

• Being between 18-30 years old
• Complaining of neck pain
• Volunteering to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

• Having received any anti-inflammatory treatment in the last 3 months
• Having received any physical therapy and rehabilitation treatment in the last 3 months
• Doing regular exercise
• Not attending work sessions

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Visual Analog Scale	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 7 weeks	The Visual Analog Scale is a 10-centimeter (cm) scale, with 0 being defined as "no pain" and 10 as "unbearable pain." It is a valid and reliable method for assessing the severity of musculoskeletal pain and is frequently used in clinical studies. In a study conducted on patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain, a VAS value of less than 3.4 cm was classified as mild pain, a VAS value between 3.5 and 7.4 cm was classified as moderate pain, and a VAS value greater than 7.5 cm was classified as severe pain.
Treshold Faradic Test	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 7 weeks	Pain threshold measurement is performed by applying a surge faradic current with a frequency of 50 Hz and a transition time of 0.1-1 msec. The point at which the current is first felt is defined as the pain threshold. In this test, the active electrode is placed at the motor point of the relevant muscle, while the passive electrode can be placed in a more distal or proximal region.
Patient-Specific Functional Scale	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 7 weeks	Patients are asked to list the three activities that cause the most difficulty with their neck pain. Each activity is then scored from 0 (unable to perform the activity) to 10 (able to perform the activity at the same level as before the onset of symptoms).
Core Outcome Meassure Index-Neck	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 7 weeks	It is a symptom-specific measurement tool that includes all the parameters that need to be evaluated in patients with low back pain (pain, function, quality of life, disability), and has the advantages of being short and easy to apply. It consists of six questions and each question is scored between 0 and 10. Higher scores indicate worse results.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Nine-Hole Peg Test	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 7 weeks	It is a standardized, valid and reliable test that measures upper extremity functions and motor speed, consisting of nine cylindrical wooden sticks and a board with nine round holes. Individuals are asked to quickly take 9 wooden sticks from the box they are in, place them in the holes randomly without observing the order, quickly take them out of the holes without waiting and place them back in the box. The total time that elapses while the individuals insert and remove the sticks from the holes is recorded with a stopwatch in seconds.
Gross Grip Strength	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 7 weeks	Gross grip strength will be measured with a Jamar® digital hand dynamometer. The gross grip strength measurement will be performed in the standard measurement position recommended by the American Hand Therapists Association, with the patient sitting in a chair without elbow support, the arm in adduction and neutral rotation, the elbow in 90-degree flexion, and the forearm and wrist in a neutral position. The test will be repeated 3 times. The average of the 3 tests will be taken.
Pinch Grip Strength	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 7 weeks	Pinch grip strength will be measured with a Jamar® digital pinchmeter. The pinch grip strength measurement position will be performed with the patient sitting in a chair without elbow support, the arm in adduction and neutral rotation, the elbow in 90 degrees flexion, the forearm in 90 degrees supination, and the wrist in a neutral position. The test will be repeated 3 times. The average of the 3 tests will be taken.
Upper Extremity Strenght	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 7 weeks	The strength of individuals' shoulder flexor, extensor, abductor, adductor and rotator muscles, elbow flexor and extensor muscles, wrist flexor and extensor muscles will be evaluated with a sphygmomanometer. The evaluation will be carried out with the protocol of the person being measured applying maximum force against the device while the person measuring holds the sphygmomanometer steady.
Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 7 weeks	It is a test used to evaluate light touch sensation in individuals. Monofilaments contain different values from 1.65 to 6.65. Monofilaments between 1.65 and 2.83 are interpreted as normal sensation, while an increase in the perceived thickness indicates a sensory defect. The test will be applied to the C3-C8 dermatomes on both upper extremities. The evaluation will start with the 2.83 monofilament, which is considered optimal, and 3 strokes, each lasting 3 seconds, will be applied to each point with the monofilament. Individuals will be asked to give the answer "I felt it". If individuals respond, a lower monofilament will be applied, and if no response is received, a higher monofilament will be applied and the test will be continued.
Cervical Endurance Test	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 7 weeks	To assess the endurance of the cervical flexors, individuals perform cervical flexion while lying on their back in a chin position, and the time they maintain this position is recorded in seconds. To assess the endurance of the cervical extensors, individuals attempt to maintain a neutral neck position while lying on their stomach with their head hanging off the bed, and the time they maintain this position is recorded in seconds. The test is terminated when the head position changes in the direction of flexion or extension, or when individuals want to stop the test.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University; 🇹🇷 Burdur, Center, Turkey