The Effect of Exercise on Pain Sensitivity in a Population With Ongoing Neck Pain Compared to Healthy Controls

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study investigates the effect of exercise on pain sensitivity in ongoing neck pain patients compared to a healthy control group.

Detailed Description
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Increased pain sensitivity is a common finding in neck pain patients when compared to healthy controls. Although most studies favor exercise as an intervention, the specific effect on pain sensitivity is still debated. This study will investigate the effect of exercise on pain sensitivity in neck pain patients compared to healthy controls

Official Title
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The Effect of Exercise on Neck Pain and Pain Sensitivity

Conditions
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Neck Pain, Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Exercise


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: - Healthy participants Pain free healthy participants Able to speak, read and understand Danish and English Exclusion Criteria: - Healthy participants Pain from the neck or shoulder area during the past 6 months Experience of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) during the week leading up to the test session Former surgery in neck or shoulder Current or previous chronic or recurrent pain condition Pregnancy Drug addiction defined as the use of cannabis, opioids or other drugs Previous neurologic, musculoskeletal or mental illnesses Regular use of analgesics Abnormally disrupted sleep in the last 24 hours preceding the experiment Lack of ability to cooperate Inclusion Criteria: - Neck pain population Self reported neck pain lasting three months or longer. Able to speak, read and understand Danish and English Reduced/painful active range of motion of the head and/or painful reaction to palpation of the neck at the time of inclusion Exclusion Criteria: - Neck pain population Shoulder pain during arm movements Experience of DOMS during the week leading up to the test session Former surgery in neck or shoulder Current or previous chronic or recurrent pain condition other than neck pain Pregnancy Drug addiction defined as the use of cannabis, opioids or other drugs Previous neurologic, musculoskeletal or mental illnesses Abnormally disrupted sleep in the 24 hours preceding the experiment Lack of ability to cooperate

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Neck pain<br>People suffering from neck pain at the time of recruitment | Other: Exercise<br>* All participants will be exposed to aerobic/strengthening exercises<br>|
| Healthy<br>Participants with no significant past neck pain, chronic pain or other relevant medical disorders. | Other: Exercise<br>* All participants will be exposed to aerobic/strengthening exercises<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in pain sensitivity | Pain sensitivity will be estimated by determining the pressure pain threshold (PPT) on the neck before and after exercise | Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in perceived pain | Pain will be scored using a scale from 0-10 with 0 being no pain and 10 being worst imaginable pain and by drawing perceived painful areas on a body charts | Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks | 
| Change in disability | Disability will be estimated by scoring the Neck Disability Index (NDI) questionnaire. The questionnaire is designed to help express how neck pain affects your ability to manage everyday activities.(Domains: pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headache, concentration, work, driving, sleeping, recreation). Higher score = high level of disability | Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Exercise, Neck pain, Pain sensitivity