Short-Term Effects of Combined Manual Therapy to the Cervical and Thoracic Spine

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Neck pain continues to be a prevalent condition in our society. Manual therapy (hands on techniques for the treatment of neck pain is an intervention commonly implemented in clinical practice. Recently researchers and clinicians have implemented manual therapy techniques to the thoracic spine (midback) to treat patients with neck pain. To date no studies have examined the short-term combined effects of thoracic spine manual therapy and cervical spine manual therapy in the treatment of patients with mechanical neck pain. The purpose this study is to assess the combined effects of thoracic spine thrust manipulation with cervical spine non-thrust manipulation in patients with neck pain.

Official Title
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Short-Term Combined Effects of Thoracic Spine Thrust Manipulation and Cervical Spine Non-Thrust Manipulation in Patients With Mechanical Neck Pain: A RCT

Conditions
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Neck Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Manual Therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Neck pain of less than 3 months No symptoms below the shoulder Baseline Neck Disability Index score of 10 or greater Exclusion Criteria: Red flags noted in the patient's Medical Screening Questionnaire (i.e. tumor, fracture, metabolic disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, prolonged use of steroid, etc) History of whiplash injury within the past two months Diagnosis of cervical spinal stenosis Uni-lateral or bi-lateral upper extremity radicular symptoms Evidence of central nervous system involvement Two or more positive neurological signs consistent with nerve root involvement: myotomal muscle weakness, dermatomal sensory loss, diminished or absent reflexes Prior surgery to the neck or thoracic spine Pending legal action regarding their neck pain, or patients with no fault or workers compensation claims Insufficient English language skills to complete the questionnaires Inability to comply with treatment and follow-up schedule Women who may be pregnant

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: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Manipulation<br>The experimental group is receiving thoracic spine thrust manipulation and cervical spine non-thrust manipulation. | Other: Manual Therapy<br>* Thrust manipulation is a type of manual therapy that clinicians apply using a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust directed at a joint(s)<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Neck Disability Index (NDI) | Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a disease-specific outcome measure specifically used in patients with neck pain. The NDI has been shown to be reliable and valid in individuals with mechanical neck pain. | Short-term outcome 1 week | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Global Rating of Change (GROC) | The Global Rating of Change is a outcome measure used to assess patient perceived recovery following interventions. | Short-term outcome 1 week | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Neck Pain, Thrust Manipulation, Non-Thrust Manipulation