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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04696341

The Effect of Matrix Rhythm Therapy in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain

Thirty individuals with chronic neck pain randomised into two groups. Group I (15 subjects) received a total of 10 sessions as 5 sessions a week.Hot pack to cervical and upper thoracic regions (20 minutes), conventional Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) (100 Hz for 40 μsec), therapeutic ultrasound (1 Megahertz (MHz) for 5 minutes) and conventional massage were applied. Five sessions of Matrix Rhythm Therapy (2., 5., 6., 8., 10. sessions of combined physiotherapy programme) was added at combined physiotherapy Group II. Matrix Rhythm Therapy was applied to cervical and thoracic regions using 10 Hz frequency for 30 minutes.

Pain intensity was measured using by a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) measuring 10 cm. Muscle spasm in cervical region was assessed by using a VAS measuring 10 cm. Turkish version of Neck Disability Index (NDI) was used to assess the disability caused by neck pain. Turkish version of Beck Depression Inventory was used to assess emotional status of participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Chronic Pain Neck Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Physical Disability Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Sarayköy Vocational School

Denizli, 20300, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

The study included patients aged between 25-65 years who had neck pain for at least 3 months. Patients with radiculopathy who had motor findings, who underwent any operations due to neck problems, who had systemic, neurologic and psychiatric diseases, inflammatory or infectious diseases, history of malignity, congenital anomalies, who benefited from another therapy modality and the ones in whom physical therapy modalities could not be used due to contraindications (individuals with sensory disorders, who use cardiac pace maker) were excluded from the study.

A total of 36 individuals were randomly assigned into 2 groups. Randomization was allocated by numbered envelopes method. A total of 30 subjects (15 in Matrix Rhythm Therapy (MRT) group and 15 in CG) with neck pain due to mechanic causes like cervical discopathy, cervical arthrosis or myofascial pain syndrome were participated in this study.

All assessments were done by the same physiotherapist (FU) before therapy and at the end of treatment sessions. The physiotherapist who did the assessments did not know to which group the subjects were belonged. Another physiotherapist who was not informed about the results of the evaluation treated the patients.

Home-based exercise programs and recommendations were also given to patients. Matrix Rhythm Therapy is developed by Dr. Ulrich G. Randall at the university of Erlangen/Nuremberg. Longitudinal stroking, compression and spooning techniques are specific methods of MRT. Therapies of the patients were done by the physiotherapist who had certificate of MRT application.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Having neck pain for at least 3 months

Exclusion criteria

  • radiculopathy with motor findings
  • undergoing surgical operation for neck pathologies
  • having a systemic , neurologic, psychiatric diseases
  • inflammatory or infectious diseases targeting this region
  • physical therapy modalities could not be used due to contraindications (individuals with sensory disorders, who use cardiac pace maker)
  • pregnancy
  • malignancy

Treatment and study plan

Matrix Rhythm Therapy

Procedure

Hot pack to cervical and upper thoracic regions (20 min), conventional TENS (100 Hz for 40 μsec), therapeutic ultrasound (1 MHz for 5 min) and conventional massage (using stroking, kneading and friction techniques for 5 minutes) were applied as passive physiotherapy modalities. Normal range of motion exercises, posture exercises, stretching exercises and isometric exercises were instructed as part of active physiotherapy.Five sessions of MRT (2., 5., 6., 8., 10. sessions of combined physiotherapy programme) was added at combined physiotherapy to Matrix Rhythm Group. Matrix Rhythm Therapy was applied to cervical and thoracic regions using 10 Hz frequency for 30 min (15 min for right and left sides each) according to the instructions of the technique developer.

Control

Procedure

Hot pack to cervical and upper thoracic regions (20 min), conventional TENS (100 Hz for 40 μsec), therapeutic ultrasound (1 MHz for 5 min) and conventional massage (using stroking, kneading and friction techniques for 5 minutes) were applied as passive physiotherapy modalities. Normal range of motion exercises, posture exercises, stretching exercises and isometric exercises were instructed as part of active physiotherapy.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain intensity

    Time frame: Baseline

    Pain intensity was measured using by a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) measuring 10 cm (0: I have no pain, 10: I have an intolerable pain). Higher scores mean a worse outcome.

  2. Muscle spasm

    Time frame: Baseline

    Muscle spasm in cervical region was assessed by using a VAS measuring 10 cm (0: no spasm, 10: the most severe spasm). Higher scores mean a worse outcome.

  3. Disability

    Time frame: Baseline

    Turkish version of Neck Disability Index (NDI) was used to assess the disability caused by neck pain. NDI is composed of a total of 10 questions of which 4 about subjective symptoms Each section is scored between 0 and 5. For total scores 0-4 no disability, 5-14 mild disability, 15-24 moderate disability, 25-34 severe disability, 35-50 complete disability

  4. Emotional status

    Time frame: Baseline

    Turkish version of Beck Depression Inventory was used to assess emotional status of participants. Each question of the questionnaire which is composed of 21 questions is scored between 0 and 3. Higher scores than 17 mean risc for depression.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pain intensity

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    Pain intensity was measured using by a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) measuring 10 cm

  2. Muscle spasm

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    Muscle spasm in cervical region was assessed by using a VAS measuring 10 cm (0: no spasm, 10: the most severe spasm)

  3. Disability

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    Turkish version of Neck Disability Index (NDI) was used to assess the disability caused by neck pain. NDI is composed of a total of 10 questions of which 4 about subjective symptoms Each section is scored between 0 and 5 caused by neck pain. For total scores 0-4 no disability, 5-14 mild disability, 15-24 moderate disability, 25-34 severe disability, 35-50 complete disability

  4. Emotional status

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    Turkish version of Beck Depression Inventory was used to assess emotional status of participants. Each question of the questionnaire which is composed of 21 questions is scored between 0 and 3. Higher scores than 17 means risc for depression.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Pamukkale University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effectiveness of a Novel Massage Method Matrix Rhythm Therapy in Chronic Neck Pain

Important dates

Study start
2011
Primary completion
2011
Study completion
2011
First posted
Jan 6, 2021
Registry last updated
Jan 6, 2021

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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