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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01161758

Study on the Effect of Cervical Mobilization on Motor Function and Pressure Pain Threshold in Pain Free Individuals

Passive accessory cervical mobilization is widely used as a clinical approach to the management of musculoskeletal pain of spinal origin. The purpose of the study is to determine if passive cervical mobilization can improve motor function in situations where motor performance is not impaired by the presence of 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–55 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

Cervical mobilization has been shown to elicit effects on pain perception, autonomic function and motor function in subjects who experience musculoskeletal pain. The improvement in motor function may be a direct effect of the treatment or secondary to a hypoalgesic effect. This study aims to demonstrate whether it is possible to alter motor function following joint mobilization, in situations where motor performance is not impaired by pain.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • No history of neck or back pain over the last six months
  • Without any previous experience with spinal manual therapy techniques

Exclusion criteria

  • History of musculoskeletal or rheumatologic conditions
  • Any kind of spinal surgery
  • Dizziness
  • Previous trauma to the cervical spine
  • Neurological signs or symptoms

Treatment and study plan

Passive cervical mobilisation

Other

Passive cervical mobilization which involved an oscillatory grade III unilateral postero-anterior mobilization applied to the left C5/C6 segment. The mobilization consisted of 3 periods of 1 minute applications with a resting period of 1 minute in between.

Other names: Physiotherapy

Manual contact

Other

Manual contact control, which involved light manual contact on the left C5/C6 segment as if to perform the treatment technique. The light manual contact consisted of 3 periods of 1 minute applications with a resting period of 1 minute in between.

Other names: placebo light touch

Primary outcomes

  1. Electromyography of sternocleidomastoid muscle.

    Time frame: Pre intervention (baseline) and 1 minute post intervention

    Measurement of sternocleidomastoid muscle activation during deep neck flexion. The degree of neck flexion is determined by a pressure biofeedback unit place underneath the neck. EMG of the left and right sternocleidomastoids are recorded for 5seconds at each level of neck flexion

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pressure pain threshold

    Time frame: Pre intervention (baseline) and 1 minute post intervention

    The algometer to measure pressure pain threshold was applied at a constant rate of 40 kPa/sec on the posterior aspect of the left and right articular pillar of C5/C6.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Curtin University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

A Crossover Study on the Effect of Cervical Mobilization on Motor Function and Pressure Pain Threshold in Pain Free Individuals

Important dates

Study start
2005
Primary completion
2005
Study completion
2005
First posted
Jul 14, 2010
Registry last updated
Jul 14, 2010

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.

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