Clinical trial NCT01962090: Comparison of Two Thoracic Manipulation Techniques to Improve Neck Pain in Dentistry Students
Official title: A Comparison of Two Thoracic Manipulation Techniques to Improve Neck Pain in Dentistry Students: a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Neck Pain
Keywords: Neck Pain
Thoracic spine thrust manipulation
Osteopathic Manipulation
Dentistry
Range of Motion
Lead sponsor: A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2013-10-14
Enrollment: 7
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 22
Maximum age (years): 45
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: This study is designed to compare the short term effects of two different thoracic spine thrust manipulation techniques on neck range of motion, pain, and self-reported disability in a sample of dental students experiencing neck pain.

The hypothesis of the study is that there will be a difference between the two thoracic spine thrust manipulation techniques for short term effects on neck range of motion, pain, and self-reported disability in a sample of dental students experiencing neck pain.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Current student at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (ASDOH) at A. T. Still University
* Primary complaint of neck pain with or without symptoms that spread down into one arm
* Overall rating of neck pain intensity is at least 3/10; the overall rating is the overall average of the participant's rating of current, least, and worst pain experienced over the previous 24 hours on separate numeric pain rating scales where 0 corresponds to "no pain" and 10 corresponds to "worst pain possible".
* Neck Disability Index (NDI) score \> 10 points (measure of self-reported disability with a 0 to 50 point scale where higher scores indicate higher levels of disability.
* Proficient in speaking and reading English to complete outcome questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria:

* Neck pain related to a motor vehicle accident or other trauma within the previous 6 weeks
* Neck pain that spreads down into both arms
* Low back pain or thoracic origin of pain
* Nerve root involvement; defined as the presence of two or more neurological findings (e.g. decreased strength, diminished deep tendon reflex, or decreased sensation) at the same nerve root level
* Diagnosis of cervical spine stenosis (narrowing of the central canal that contains the spinal cord)
* History of spinal tumors, spinal infection, cervical spine fracture, or previous neck surgery
* Pending legal action related to current episode of neck pain
* Contraindications to thoracic spine thrust manipulation

  1. serious pathologies or conditions (tumor, fracture, metabolic diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, history of prolonged steroid use)
  2. hyperreflexia
  3. unsteadiness during gait
  4. Nystagmus
  5. Loss of visual acuity
  6. Impaired sensation of the face
  7. Altered taste
  8. The presence of pathological reflexes
  9. pregnancy or considering pregnancy

Primary outcomes:
measure: Change in Neck Pain Intensity
timeFrame: Collected at baseline assessment during initial visit before 1st treatment, one week later before 2nd treatment, and one week later at follow-up appointment - total of 2- 3 weeks anticipated
measure: Change in Neck Range of Motion (ROM)
timeFrame: Collected at baseline assessment during initial visit before 1st treatment, one week later before 2nd treatment, and one week later at follow-up appointment - total of 2- 3 weeks anticipated
measure: Change in Neck Disability Index (NDI)
timeFrame: Collected at baseline assessment during initial visit before 1st treatment, one week later before 2nd treatment, and one week later at follow-up appointment - total of 2- 3 weeks anticipated
measure: Change in Shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire (QuickDASH)
timeFrame: Collected at baseline assessment during initial visit before 1st treatment, one week later before 2nd treatment, and one week later at follow-up appointment - total of 2- 3 weeks anticipated
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Mesa
country: United States
facility: A. T. Still University
state: Arizona
Study officials:
affiliation: A.T. Still University
name: John Heick, PT, DPT
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: