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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

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

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

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

Treatment and study plan

Manual therapy

Other

Thrust manipulation is a type of manual therapy that clinicians apply using a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust directed at a joint(s)

Primary outcomes

Neck Disability Index (NDI)

Time frame: Short-term outcome 1 week

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.

Secondary outcomes

Global Rating of Change (GROC)

Time frame: Short-term outcome 1 week

The Global Rating of Change is a outcome measure used to assess patient perceived recovery following interventions.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Masefield and Cavallaro Physical Therapy

Other

Registry information

Official study title

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

Important dates

Study start: 2009
Primary completion: 2012
Study completion: 2012
First posted: Mar 18, 2011
Registry last updated: Apr 7, 2015

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.

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

Completed