Study Evaluating the Benefit of Dry Needling for Patients With Neck Pain

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine whether individuals with neck pain will respond favorably to a program of manual therapy, directed at the cervical and thoracic spine (including thrust manipulation), and exercise, in combination with dry needling, as compared to manual therapy, directed to the cervical and thoracic spine (including thrust manipulation), and an exercise program alone.

Official Title
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The Effectiveness of Dry Needling for Patients With Neck Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Conditions
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Neck Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: dry needling


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age between 18-60 years old Primary complaint of neck pain Restricted cervical extension/and or cervical rotation ROM Neck Disability Index > 20 points Exclusion Criteria: Red flags noted in the patient's Neck Medical Screening Questionnaire (i.e. tumor, fracture, metabolic diseases, RA, osteoporosis, prolonged history of steroid use, symptoms of vertebrobasilary insufficiency, pregnancy, cervical spinal stenosis, bilateral upper extremity symptoms etc. Use of blood thinners History of whiplash injury within the past six weeks Evidence of central nervous system involvement, to include hyperreflexia, sensory disturbances in the hand, intrinsic muscle wasting of the hands, unsteadiness during walking, nystagmus, loss of visual acuity, impaired sensation of the face, altered taste, the presence of pathological reflexes (i.e. positive Hoffman's and/or Babinski reflexes), etc. Two or more positive neurologic signs consistent with nerve root compression, including any two of the following: Muscle weakness involving a major muscle group of the upper extremity Diminished upper extremity muscle stretch reflex (biceps brachii, brachioradialis, or triceps) Diminished or absent sensation to pinprick in any upper extremity dermatome Prior surgery to the neck or thoracic spine Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, or Acupuncture treatment for their neck pain in the last 12-months Workers compensation or pending legal action regarding their headaches Insufficient English language skills to complete all questionnaires Inability to comply with treatment and follow-up schedule

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 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: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Procedure: dry needling|The needling will take place bilaterally at both the suboccipital region and the paravertebral muscles between C4 and T4. The needling will take place with the patient in the prone position. Following all needle placement, they will rotated clockwise till the point that tension on the needle is felt by the therapist. This will create more tension between the needle and tissue fibers, after which the needles were removed.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| neck disability index (NDI) |  | 4,12, 24 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patient Global Rating of Change (GROC) |  | 4, 12, 24 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Neck pain, Dry Needling, Manual Therapy, Manipulation