None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The One-to-Zero (OTZ) System is a chiropractic technique which corrects problems with the upper neck joints located at the base of the skull. Originally, OTZ was used to improve function and decrease pain in patients with a condition known as a frozen shoulder. As chiropractors trained in the OTZ technique have continued to use the technique, patients have reported improvements in many other areas of health and performance, including chronic pain, headaches, insomnia, balance, agility, hand-eye-coordination, anxiety, etc. A recent case series study design of the effects of OTZ, conducted by our lab, found that there are measurable improvements in function beyond just frozen shoulder improvements in these individuals. These changes included improved movement control of the upper limb, improved autonomic function as measured by improved heart rate variability, and improved accuracy of head and neck awareness, as well as improvements in overall health and well-being. However, to really determine if these changes were a result of OTZ, we need to compare changes in people who have OTZ treatment to those who have not, using a randomized study design, where there is an equal chance of ending up in either the treatment or the control group, which is what this study plans to do. The purpose of the study is to determine if OTZ chiropractic treatment, compared with no treatment, is effective in improving motor control, autonomic function, awareness of arm and head position as well as general health and well-being, in individuals with a problem in their upper neck joint(s). It is hypothesized that individuals that receive treatment will see measurable changes in outcome measures compared to the control group.
Interventions
The intervention is a chiropractic technique, known as the One-to-Zero (OTZ) tension adjustment. OTZ treatment begins with correction of articular dysfunction between the occiput (C0) and the atlas, first cervical (C1) via a high velocity low amplitude manipulation (HVLA) technique. This technique first addresses decreased functional mobility between the C0-C1 joint, via high velocity, low amplitude manipulative thrusts. Other areas of cervicothoracic joint dysfunction are also treated with a sp
The intervention is a chiropractic technique, known as the One-to-Zero (OTZ) tension adjustment. OTZ treatment begins with correction of articular dysfunction between the occiput (C0) and the atlas, first cervical (C1) via a high velocity low amplitude manipulation (HVLA) technique. This technique first addresses decreased functional mobility between the C0-C1 joint, via high velocity, low amplitude manipulative thrusts. Other areas of cervicothoracic joint dysfunction are also treated with a specific HVLA protocol, if clinically indicated. These include the upper thoracic and lumbar spine, if these areas show clinical evidence of joint dysfunction (e.g. restricted segmental range of motion, local tenderness, etc..). A registered chiropractor with expertise and advanced training in the OTZ technique will provide the treatment. The OTZ treatment will be personalized to each individual in the treatment arm since this cluster may comprise of acute and/or chronic cases, and different areas of associated joint dysfunction. Individuals in the treatment group will receive chiropractic care with the OTZ treatment for a total of 4 to 6 visits (2 to 3 visits a week for an average of 2 to 3 weeks), dependent on the severity and chronicity of each participant’s joint dysfunction(s). The number of required visits for each participant is decided by the chiropractor providing the treatment, who will use their clinical judgement to make this decision. Each treatment session will be approximately 15 minutes in duration with the first session being at least 45 minutes, to acquire details about their medical history and perform a physical examination and assessment of C0 – C1 joint complex and areas of cervicothoracic spinal dysfunction. The OTZ treatment will be performed at the chiropractic clinic where the registered chiropractor administering the treatment practices. In order to monitor adherence to the intervention, the chiropractor will provide the researchers with a list of participants and number of treatment sessions that were attended over the intervention period.
Sponsors
Bernadette Murphy
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Males and females aged 18 – 65 who experience either of the following symptoms and/or problems: recurrent neck problems; decreased shoulder range of motion; difficulty maintaining good posture especially while sitting; unexplained whole-body stiffness that doesn’t benefit from stretching. To be eligible for the study, participants are to have had these issues for at least 3 months and not started any treatments in the past three weeks. These individuals will be screened for the articular dysfunction at the C0-C1 joint complex by the treating chiropractor as this joint dysfunction is the inclusion criterion for the OTZ treatment.
Exclusion criteria
Individuals with contraindications to chiropractic care such as fractures, tumors, infections, or recent head trauma will be excluded.
Outcome results
None listed