Cervical Range of Motion and Stretching

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Cervical range of motion (ROM) is necessary to perform normal activities of daily living and deficits are associate with various pathologies. Currently, its unclear if specific myofascial stretches will improve cervical range of motion and decrease myofascial sensitivity. After a single session of the manual stretching procedure, participants immediately demonstrated increased cervical ROM and pressure pain thresholds.

Detailed Description
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Methods: Sixty participants with no history of neck pain or trauma were randomized into one of two groups: stretching group (n = 30), or control group (n = 30). The stretching group received a standardized manual stretching protocol. The control group did not received intervention. Pre and Post-test measurements were recorded for both groups. Within group differences and group by time interactions were evaluated for Cervical range of motion ROM and myofascial sensitivity. The immediate improvement in active ROM of the cervical spine may prompt clinicians to consider the sequencing of treatment. Stretching prior to active exercises may allow for active exercise through a larger ROM. Future research is needed to evaluate the immediate effects of stretching in the symptomatic population.

Official Title
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Immediate Changes in Cervical Range of Motion and Myofascial Sensitivity After Standardized Manual Stretches: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Cervical Shortening

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Manual stretching


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: ages of 18-60 active cervical flexion, right lateral flexion OR left cervical lateral flexion <45˚ Exclusion Criteria: minors prisoners individuals with cognitive impairments recent neck surgeries pre-existing neck injuries

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 60 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: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Randomized controlled trial
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| No Intervention: Control group<br>The control group did not received intervention and sat on a table for approximately 5 minutes | |
| Experimental: Stretching group<br>The stretching group received a standardized manual stretching protocol | Procedure: Manual stretching<br>* Manual stretching for the upper trapezius and levator scapulae muscle<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Range of Motion | CROM including flexion, extension, side bending left, side bending right, rotation left, and rotation right | 1 minute post-intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pressure pain thresholds | The PPT was recorded using a Wagner FDX-25 hand-held digital pressure algometer (Wagner Instruments, Greenwich, CT). The investigator performed each assessment uniformly by applying force at the same rate of 5 Pa/second. | 1 minute post-intervention | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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range of motion, muscle sensitivity, muscle stretching