Manual Therapy to Treat Acute Whiplash Injury

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine the short-term effects of a manual therapy protocol on pain, disability and cervical range of motion in individuals with acute whiplash injury.

Detailed Description
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Design: Randomized clinical trial. Objectives: to determine the short-term effects of a a manual therapy protocol on pain, disability and cervical range of motion in individuals with acute whiplash injury. Methods and measures: sixty patients will be randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: the experimental group received a manual therapy protocol and the placebo group received two manual therapy techniques. Neck pain, disability and cervical range of motion data will be collected at baseline and 24-hr after the last manual therapy application. Mixed-model analyses of variance will be used to examine the effects of the treatment on each outcome variable.

Official Title
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Short-Term Effects of a Manual Therapy Protocol

Conditions
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Whiplash Injuries

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Manual Therapy Protocol
* Other: Two manual techniques


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: To met Quebec Task Force Classification of WAD II- neck pain symptoms and musculoskeletal signs. No evidence of conduction loss on clinical neurological examination. Exclusion Criteria: Concussion during the motor vehicle accident. Loss of consciousness. Head or upper quadrant injury during the accident. Sought treatment prior to their accident for neck pain. A previous history of whiplash Neck pain Headaches Psychiatric or psychologic condition Neurologic or circulatory disorders

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 25 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Manual Therapy Protocol<br>A protocol with five techniques on thoracic area applied twice a week. | Other: Manual Therapy Protocol<br>* The manual therapy protocol consists in the application of the following techniques: stretching diaphragm, Inhibition for phrenic center, Neuromuscular technique, technique jones and balance technique functional.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Two manual techniques<br>Two manual therapies on thoracic area applied twice a week. | Other: Two manual techniques<br>* The two manual techniques applied to control group are: inhibition for phrenic center and neuromuscular technique.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change on Numerical Pain Rating Scale | The numerical pain rating scale is used to record the patient´s current level of neck pain. | At baseline and 2 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Neck disability index | The neck disability index consists of 10 questions addressing functional activities such as personal care, lifting, reading, work, driving, sleeping, recreational, pain intensity, concentration and headache. | At baseline and 2 weeks | 
| Cervical Range of Motion | Cervical range of motion is assessed with the patient sitting comfortably on a chair, with both feet flat on the floor, hips and knees at 90º of flexion, and buttocks positioned against the back of the chair. | At baseline and 2 weeks | 
| Tampa scale for kinesiophobia | The 17-item Tampa scale for kinesiophobia assesses fear of movement or of injury or reinjury. | At baseline and 2 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Cervical spine, Neck pain, Manual therapy, Controlled clinical trial