Efficacy of Stretching on Pain Sensitivity

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The primary objective of this study is to determine the immediate efficiency of a six weeks regular stretching protocol on regional and distant pain sensitivity. It is hypothesised that regional and distant pain sensitivity will significantly decrease following six weeks of regular stretching. The secondary objective of the study is to determine the effect after four-week cessation of the stretching protocol on regional and distant pain sensitivity. If regional and distant pain sensitivity decrease following regular stretching, it is hypothesised that the analgesic effect will abate following four-week cessation.

Official Title
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Efficacy of a Stretching Protocol on Regional and Distant Pain Sensitivity:

Conditions
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Pain Threshold

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Stretch exercises


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Healthy men and women aged 18-65 years are recruited. As part of the screening, volunteers will also be asked to indicate known medical issues or diseases. Participants are included if they have no known medical conditions such as cognitive impairments, neurological, orthopaedic, or neuromuscular problems that might affect the somatosensory system or preclude stretching exercises or range of motion testing at the knee. Exclusion Criteria: Individuals who regularly engage in flexibility training (e.g., stretching, tai chi, pilates or yoga) or use any medication that might affect the somatosensory system, such as pain medication, are excluded.

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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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Single-blind longitudinal repeated measures study
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Stretching<br>Static stretching of the knee flexors | Other: Stretch exercises<br>* The intervention comprises of six weeks daily bi-lateral static stretching of the knee flexors. Stretches are performed seated on the ground. The participant sits upright on the floor with one leg straight. The sole of the other foot should be placed on the inside of the outstretched leg. The participant leans slightly forward, trying to touch their toes while maintaining full knee extension. Stretching is performed to the point of discomfort, and each stretch is held for 30-seconds for three repetitions.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pain sensitivity | The primary outcome is pain sensitivity expressed as regional and distant pressure pain thresholds measured by a handheld pressure algometer | Baseline | 
| Pain sensitivity | The primary outcome is pain sensitivity expressed as regional and distant pressure pain thresholds measured by a handheld pressure algometer | 6 weeks | 
| Pain sensitivity | The primary outcome is pain sensitivity expressed as regional and distant pressure pain thresholds measured by a handheld pressure algometer | 10 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Range of motion | Passive knee extension range of motion measured by the Biodex system 4 pro isokinetic dynamometer | Baseline | 
| Range of motion | Passive knee extension range of motion measured by the Biodex system 4 pro isokinetic dynamometer | 6 weeks | 
| Range of motion | Passive knee extension range of motion measured by the Biodex system 4 pro isokinetic dynamometer | 10 weeks | 
| Passive resistive torque | Passive resistive torque measured in passive kne extension measured by the Biodex system 4 pro isokinetic dynamometer | Baseline | 
| Passive resistive torque | Passive resistive torque measured in passive kne extension measured by the Biodex system 4 pro isokinetic dynamometer | 6 weeks | 
| Passive resistive torque | Passive resistive torque measured in passive kne extension measured by the Biodex system 4 pro isokinetic dynamometer | 10 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Stretching, Pain sensitivity, Range of motion, Exercise adherence