Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06200038

Effect of Manual Therapy on Non Specific Neck Pain

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Mulligan concept Reverse Natural Apophysial Glide Technique (RNAGS)technique applied to the thoracic region on pain, limitation of movement, and functionality in individuals with mechanical neck pain.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Neck Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Faculty of Health Sciences Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University

Bolu, 14300, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

When we look at the studies investigating the effectiveness of different treatment modalities in non-specific neck pain (NSNP), there is no method accepted as the gold standard for the treatment of NSNP. One of the preferred treatment options for NSNP is physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation includes electrotherapy modalities, therapeutic exercises, joint mobilisation and manipulations, myofascial release. Among these treatments, manual therapy, which targets the harmony of structure and function, is one of the most preferred treatment methods by physiotherapists. Manual therapy provides improvement by orienting the body's biomechanics, circulation and body structure by directly affecting the joints, muscles and soft tissues. In the literature, there are studies on both cervical mobilisation and thoracic mobilisation for neck pain. Cervical mobilisation and manipulation in neck pain are controversial because they carry certain risks. It has been reported that mobilisation of the thoracic spine decreases pain in the cervical region and increases mobilisation in this region. When the literature was examined, there was no study examining the effect of the Mulligan concept natural apophyseal reversal technique applied to the thoracic region on NSNP. This study was planned to investigate the effect of natural apophyseal reversal on pain and mobility limitation in individuals diagnosed with NSNP.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Those between the ages of 18-65
  • Those with neck pain lasting at least 3 months
  • Individuals diagnosed with mechanical neck pain by a specialist physician

Exclusion criteria

  • Those with a history of spinal surgery
  • Those with a history of whiplash injury
  • Those with a history of trauma in the cervical and thoracic region
  • Pregnancy

Treatment and study plan

Mulligan Reverse Natural Apophysial Glide Technique (RNAGS)

Other

Mulligan mobilization techniques was applied to the upper thoracic segments with the RNAGS technique. The application was performed with one hand (thumb in extension, other fingers flexed) that was used to perform the pushing maneuver on the transverse processes, while the other arm was used to gently grasp the head of the patient and recline the neck against the body for stabilization.

Conventional TENS was applied to the neck area with 2 channels and 4 electrodes for 20 min (current passage time: 50-100 microseconds, frequency: 0-120 Hz). Ultrasonography was performed for 8 minutes with an intensity of 1.5 w/cm2 and a frequency of 1 MHz. Stretching exercises were applied to the upper part of the trapezius and levator scapula muscles for 15-30 seconds for 10 repetitions by a physiotherapist.

Other names: TENS, Hotpack, Utrasound, Stretching exercises

Conventional physical therapy and sham manual therapy

Other

A sham Mulligan RNAGS technique with low pressure compression was applied to thoracic region.

Conventional TENS was applied to the neck area with 2 channels and 4 electrodes for 20 min (current passage time: 50-100 microseconds, frequency: 0-120 Hz). Ultrasonography was performed for 8 minutes with an intensity of 1.5 w/cm2 and a frequency of 1 MHz. Stretching exercises were applied to the upper part of the trapezius and levator scapula muscles for 15-30 seconds for 10 repetitions by a physiotherapist.

Other names: TENS, Hotpack, Utrasound, Stretching exercises

Conventional physical therapy

Other

Conventional TENS was applied to the neck area with 2 channels and 4 electrodes for 20 min (current passage time: 50-100 microseconds, frequency: 0-120 Hz). Ultrasonography was performed for 8 minutes with an intensity of 1.5 w/cm2 and a frequency of 1 MHz. Stretching exercises were applied to the upper part of the trapezius and levator scapula muscles for 15-30 seconds for 10 repetitions by a physiotherapist

Other names: TENS, Hotpack, Utrasound, Stretching exercises

Primary outcomes

  1. Joint Range of Motion Assessment (ROM)

    Time frame: 3 weeks

    Active flexion, extension, right/left lateral flexion and rotation of the cervical region were measured in the sitting position with a phone goniometer application.

  2. Pain Assessment

    Time frame: 3 weeks

    Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the severity of mechanical neck pain. Individuals were asked to mark the pain they felt on a 10 cm long VAS scale ("0" indicates no pain and "10" indicates unbearable pain).

  3. Neck Disability Status Assessment (NDI)

    Time frame: 3 weeks

    Evaluate neck disability status A questionnaire consisting of 10 items. Seven items are related to activities of daily living, two are related to pain intensity and one is related to concentration. The response to each item is scored between 0 (no limitation) and 5 (maximum limitation) and the final NDI score is obtained by summing each score

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Abant Izzet Baysal University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Upper Thoracic Mulligan Mobilization for Pain, Range of Motion and Function in Patients With Mechanical Neck Pain

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Jan 10, 2024
Registry last updated
Jan 10, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.