Comparative short-term effects of two thoracic spinal manipulation techniques in subjects with chronic mechanical neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.

Comparative short-term effects of two thoracic spinal manipulation techniques (dog technique and toggle-recoil technique) on neck pain perception and cervical mobility in subjects with chronic mechanical neck pain: A randomized controlled trial.

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12613001000796

Enrollment

Registered

2013-09-10

Start date

2012-05-01

Completion date

2012-09-27

Last updated

2020-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

There seems to be a correlation between cervical-thoracic and upper thoracic limitations in mobility and neck pain. However, there is some scarce evidence supporting the use of thoracic spinal manipulation as a therapeutic tool in subjects with cervical pain. Based on previous findings, the authors of the study hypothesized that, after applying a thoracic spinal manipulation technique in subjects with chronic mechanical neck pain significant improvements would be found immediately after intervention and in the short term in self-perceived neck pain, cervical mobility and sensitivity to mechanical pressure.

Interventions

Intervention technique in the toggle-recoil group The toggle-recoil technique was performed, as modified by Mc Timoney. The participant was lying on the stomach. The therapist crossed the forearms and contacted the transverse processes of the fourth thoracic vertebrae (T4) with the pisiform bones. While the subject was breathing out the therapist delivered a fast posterior-anterior impulse to achieve the manipulative thrust. The thrust should be short range and fast. A single spinal manipulati

Study design

Allocation

Randomised controlled trial

Intervention model

Parallel

Primary purpose

Treatment

Masking

Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 60 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

(a) aged between 18 and 60 years; (b) a minimum of a 3-month history of non specific neck pain. No minimum intensity of pain was specified; (c) neck pain not to be due to any known cause, such as fracture or infection; (d) cervical pain was present with increased pain on one of the following criteria; with maintained posture, with movement and/or with palpation of the spinal muscles; (e) perceived discomfort with joint pressure.

Exclusion criteria

(a) current use of any medication (anti-inflammatories, analgesics) which might interfere with the results of the study; (b) the presence of rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory diseases; (c) the presence of any neurological conditions; (d) any bone pathology or history of tumours; (e) whiplash injury; (f) having received SM in the previous 2 months before data collection; (g) two or more positive signs of compressed nerves, for instance, changes in sensation, myotomal weakness in the arms, or alteration in deep tendon reflexes; (h) previous surgery on the spine; (i) any contraindication to perform spinal manipulation; and (j) subjects who did not achieve cavitation after two thrust attempts.

Outcome results