Effects of Resistance Training on Pain, Function and Work Ability in Patients With Moderate to Severe Neck Pain

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to investigate if high-intensity resistance training can induce additional beneficial effects, for patients with moderate to severe long term pain in the neck, when added to a multidisciplinary treatment program.

Official Title
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Effects of Resistance Training on Pain, Function and Work Ability in Patients With Moderate to Severe Neck Pain

Conditions
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Neck Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: High-intensity resistance training
* Behavioral: General physical activity
* Behavioral: Multidisciplinary rehabilitation program


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Referred to the multidisciplinary clinic for treatment of pain in the neck Long term (≥ 3months) or recurrent (≥ 2 periods of ≥ 4 weeks the past year) non-specific neck pain, Pain intensity ≥ 4 on numerical rating scale (0-10) Exclusion Criteria: Severe somatic condition (unstable injury, malignity, infectious disease, active rheumatic disease, severe osteoporosis) Psychiatric condition/disease that severely impairs group functioning Insufficient comprehension of Norwegian language to participate in group sessions and fill out questionnaires Awaiting surgery of neck Alcohol or drug abuse Ongoing compensation case or applying for disability benefits due to pain in the neck Engaged in high-intensity resistance training on a regular basis the last 6 months Contra-indications for high-intensity resistance training (i.e. shoulder complications)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 16 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

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: High-intensity resistance training<br>Full body, progressive strength training with Theraband® Elastic bands. Three times per week for 12 weeks - 3 weeks with supervised sessions at the clinic, and 9 weeks of home training.Three guided sessions will be offered during the home training period. | Behavioral: High-intensity resistance training<br> <br> Behavioral: Multidisciplinary rehabilitation program<br> <br> |
| Active Comparator: General physical activity<br>12 weeks of general physical activity - 3 weeks with supervised sessions at the clinic, and 9 weeks of individually adjusted home training. This include circle-training, low-intensity resistance exercises, endurance exercises, ball playing, body awareness, stretching, and relaxation techniques, and similar activities. Neither moderate nor high-intensity resistance exercise is included for participants in this group.Three guided sessions will be offered during the home training period. | Behavioral: General physical activity<br> <br> Behavioral: Multidisciplinary rehabilitation program<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Neck-related disability as assessed by the neck disability index | Neck disability index | 12 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pain assessed by the Numerical Pain Rating Scale |  | 3 and 12 weeks + 6 and 12 months | 
| Fear avoidance beliefs assessed by Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire |  | 3 and 12 weeks + 6 and 12 months | 
| Patient's' perceived effect of the treatment assessed by the Patient specific functioning scale |  | 3 and 12 weeks + 6 and 12 months | 
| Anxiety and depression assessed by Hopkins symptom checklist |  | 3 and 12 weeks + 6 and 12 months | 
| Quality of life assessed by EQ-5D-5L |  | 3 and 12 weeks + 6 and 12 months | 
| Work ability assessed by Work ability index |  | 3 and 12 weeks + 6 and 12 months | 
| Use of analgesics assessed by a questionnaire from the HUNT study |  | 3 and 12 weeks + 6 and 12 months | 
| Physical activity level assessed by a questionnaire from the HUNT study |  | 3 and 12 weeks + 6 and 12 months | 
| Strength in the neck measured using a handheld dynamometer |  | 3 and 12 weeks + 6 and 12 months | 
| Pressure pain threshold of the tibialis anterior muscle measured using an algometer |  | 3 and 12 weeks + 6 and 12 months | 
| Grip strength measured using a handheld dynamometer |  | 3 and 12 weeks + 6 and 12 months | 
| Patient's' perceived effect of the treatment assessed by the Global rating of change scale |  | 3 and 12 weeks + 6 and 12 months | 
| Neck-related disability as assessed by the neck disability index |  | 3 weeks + 6 and 12 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Exercise therapy, Resistance training, Multidisciplinary treatment