Study on the Effect of Cervical Mobilization on Motor Function and Pressure Pain Threshold in Pain Free Individuals

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Passive accessory cervical mobilization is widely used as a clinical approach to the management of musculoskeletal pain of spinal origin. The purpose of the study is to determine if passive cervical mobilization can improve motor function in situations where motor performance is not impaired by the presence of pain.

Detailed Description
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Cervical mobilization has been shown to elicit effects on pain perception, autonomic function and motor function in subjects who experience musculoskeletal pain. The improvement in motor function may be a direct effect of the treatment or secondary to a hypoalgesic effect. This study aims to demonstrate whether it is possible to alter motor function following joint mobilization, in situations where motor performance is not impaired by pain.

Official Title
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A Crossover Study on the Effect of Cervical Mobilization on Motor Function and Pressure Pain Threshold in Pain Free Individuals

Conditions
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Neck Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Passive cervical mobilisation
* Other: Manual contact


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: No history of neck or back pain over the last six months Without any previous experience with spinal manual therapy techniques Exclusion Criteria: History of musculoskeletal or rheumatologic conditions Any kind of spinal surgery Dizziness Previous trauma to the cervical spine Neurological signs or symptoms

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 55 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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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Passive cervical mobilisation<br>Grade III cervical mobilization technique as described by Maitland. Applied to left C5/6 Segment. | Other: Passive cervical mobilisation<br>* Passive cervical mobilization which involved an oscillatory grade III unilateral postero-anterior mobilization applied to the left C5/C6 segment. The mobilization consisted of 3 periods of 1 minute applications with a resting period of 1 minute in between.<br>* Other names: Physiotherapy;|
| Placebo Comparator: Manual contact<br>Manual contact control, which involved light manual contact on the left C5/C6 segment as if to perform the treatment technique. | Other: Manual contact<br>* Manual contact control, which involved light manual contact on the left C5/C6 segment as if to perform the treatment technique. The light manual contact consisted of 3 periods of 1 minute applications with a resting period of 1 minute in between.<br>* Other names: placebo light touch;|
| No Intervention: Non-contact control<br>Non-contact control, which involved the subject resting in the treatment position without any physical contact between the researcher and the subject. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Electromyography of sternocleidomastoid muscle. | Measurement of sternocleidomastoid muscle activation during deep neck flexion. The degree of neck flexion is determined by a pressure biofeedback unit place underneath the neck. EMG of the left and right sternocleidomastoids are recorded for 5seconds at each level of neck flexion | Pre intervention (baseline) and 1 minute post intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pressure pain threshold | The algometer to measure pressure pain threshold was applied at a constant rate of 40 kPa/sec on the posterior aspect of the left and right articular pillar of C5/C6. | Pre intervention (baseline) and 1 minute post intervention | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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physical therapy, pain threshold, electromyography, musculoskeletal manipulation, neck muscles