A Comparison of Seated Thoracic Manipulation and Targeted Supine Thoracic Manipulation on Cervical Flexion Motion and Pain

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Thirty-nine patients with cervical spine pain were randomly assigned to either a seated thoracic manipulation or targeted supine thoracic manipulation group. Pain and flexion range of motion measures were taken before and after the intervention.

Detailed Description
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DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of seated thoracic manipulation versus targeted supine thoracic manipulation on cervical spine pain and flexion range of motion. There is evidence that thoracic spine manipulation is an effective treatment for patients with cervical spine pain. This evidence includes a variety of techniques to manipulate the thoracic spine. While each of them is effective, no research has compared techniques to determine which produces the best outcomes. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with cervical spine pain were randomly assigned to either a seated thoracic manipulation or targeted supine thoracic manipulation group. Pain and flexion range of motion measures were taken before and after the intervention.

Official Title
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A Randomized Control Trial of the Immediate Effects of Seated Thoracic Manipulation and Targeted Supine Thoracic Manipulation on Cervical Spine Flexion Range of Motion and Pain

Conditions
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Neck Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: seated thoracic manipulation
* Other: supine specific thoracic spine manipulation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria required patients to be between 18-60 years old with a primary complaint of neck pain Exclusion Criteria: identification of red flags suggestive of nonmusculoskeletal etiology, history of whiplash injury within six weeks of the initial visit, diagnosis of cervical spine stenosis, central nervous system involvement, or signs of nerve root compression (two of the following limited at the same level: strength, sensation, reflexes).

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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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: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: seated general thoracic spine manipulation<br>seated general thoracic spine manipulation | Other: seated thoracic manipulation<br>* seated general thoracic spine manipulation<br>|
| Experimental: supine specific thoracic spine manipulation<br>Specific supine manipulation | Other: supine specific thoracic spine manipulation<br>* supine specific thoracic spine manipulation<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| neck pain | As measured by patient response at end range of flexion on a scale of 0 - 10. | pain measure taken immediately on first visit | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| neck range of motion | As measure using a bubble goniometer, shich has been shown to be valid and reliable. | range of motion assessed immediately in first visit |