Immediate Effects of Manipulation Versus Stretching on Upper Trapezius Pressure Pain Thresholds

The Immediate Effects of Cervicothoracic Manipulation vs. Stretching on Upper Trapezius Pressure Pain Thresholds and Cervical Spine Range of Motion

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT02081430

Enrollment

Registered

2014-03-07

Start date

2013-05-31

Completion date

2014-08-31

Last updated

2014-11-05

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

Conditions

Neurophysiological Mechanisms Manipulation

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the immediate effects of cervicothoracic manipulation and upper trapezius stretching on upper trapezius pressure pain threshold and cervical ROM.

Interventions

PROCEDURECT Manipulation

PROCEDUREUpper trapezius stretch

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 70 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Absence of current neck pain 2. Aged 18 - 70 years 3. Able to lie on stomach or back without difficulty

Exclusion criteria

1. 'Red flag' items indicated in Neck Medical Screening Questionnaire such as history of a tumor, bone fracture, metabolic diseases, Rheumatoid Arthritis, osteoporosis, severe atherosclerosis, prolonged history of steroid use, etc. 2. History of neck whiplash injury 3. Diagnosis from physician of cervical spinal stenosis (narrowing of spinal canal) or presence of symptoms (pain, pins and needles, numbness) down both arms 4. Presence of central nervous system involvement such as exaggerated reflexes, changes in sensation in the hands, muscle wasting in the hands, impaired sensation of the face, altered taste, and presence of abnormal reflexes 5. Evidence of neurological signs consistent with nerve root entrapment (pinched nerve in the neck) 6. Prior surgery to neck or upper back 7. A medical condition which may influence assessment of pain or pressure pain thresholds (i.e. taking analgesics, sedatives, history of substance abuse, or cognitive deficiency) 8. Diagnosis from physician of fibromyalgia syndrome 9. Currently pregnant, or could be pregnant

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Pain Pressure Threshold	up to 10 minutes	Using a standardized pain pressure algometer, subjects will have recordings of pressure at which onset of pain is noted

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Cervical Range of Motion	up to 10 minutes	Using a CROM device, cervical spine range of motion will be measured in angular degrees

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026