Clinical trial NCT06468904: Efficacy of Cervical Stabilization Exercises on Hand Grip Strength in Chronic Myofascial Neck Pain
Official title: Efficacy of Cervical Stabilization Exercises on Hand Grip Strength, Pinch Strength, Pain Pressure Threshold in Patients With Chronic Myofascial Neck Pain
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Chronic Neck Pain
Keywords: cervical stabilization
hand grip
myofascial neck pain
Lead sponsor: Cairo University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2024-06-21
Enrollment: 52
Sex: FEMALE
Minimum age (years): 20
Maximum age (years): 45
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: cervical stabilization exercises
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The purpose of this study is to examine effect of cervical stabilization exercises on hand grip strength, key pinch strength, pain intensity, pain pressure threshold and hand function in chronic myofascial neck pain patients.

Detailed description: Myofascial pain of the trapezius is considered one of the main causes of neck pain and characterized by deep, intense pain of the skeletal muscles and their fascia and by the presence of one or more MTrPs, Although MTrPs can be formed in any muscle or muscle group, previous studies concluded that the upper trapezius(UT) muscle is the most commonly affected muscle.

Considering the role of synergistic function of the UT muscle in scapula-humeral rhythm during shoulder movement, it is not surprising that MTrPs in UT muscle can result in shoulder dysfunction and disability. Muscle activity of proximal parts is necessary for activation of distal parts. In fact, the stable activity of distal parts needs controlling the proximal parts. Thus, the stability of shoulder girdle is required for activity of distal parts such as fingers, wrists and elbows. In addition, trigger points in the UT can affect grip strength, which depends on shoulder joint and scapular stability. Thus, UT muscle dysfunction can reduce grip strength.

However, little research has been carried out to determine the therapeutic effects of cervical stabilization exercises on chronic neck pain, and up till now, there is a gap in literature to explore efficacy of cervical stabilization exercises on chronic neck pain and hand grip strength. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether cervical stabilization exercises has an effect on hand grip strength in chronic myofascial neck pain.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Chronic neck pain for more than 3 months.
2. Active MTrPs in the UT muscle with a tender nodule.
3. Constant neck pain, a jump sign during palpation of UT muscle.
4. Referred pain.
5. Symptoms of ipsilateral hand muscles weakness.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Signs of severe pathology such as malignancy of the cervical area.
2. Fractures of the cervical spine.
3. Cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy.
4. Diabetes.
5. Trauma, congenital anomalies and surgery around neck, shoulder and hand.
6. Fibromyalgia or vascular syndromes such as vertebra-basilar insufficiency.
7. Pregnancy.

Primary outcomes:
measure: primary outcome measure
timeFrame: up to four weeks
Secondary outcomes:
measure: secondary outcome measures
timeFrame: up to four weeks
measure: secondary outcome measure
timeFrame: up to four weeks
measure: secondary outcome measure
timeFrame: up to 4 weeks
measure: secondary outcome measure
timeFrame: up to four weeks
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Giza
country: Egypt
facility: Cairo University
city: Giza
country: Egypt
facility: Faculty of physical therapy
Study officials:
affiliation: professor of physaical therapy
name: soheir sh Rezkallah, PHD
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
affiliation: assistant professor of physical therapy
name: Ghada Abd Elmoneim, PHD
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
affiliation: lecturer of physical therapy
name: Haidy S Roshdy, PHD
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
References: