Skip to content

Comparison of Two Thoracic Manipulation Techniques to Improve Neck Pain

A Comparison of Two Thoracic Manipulation Techniques to Improve Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02245425
Enrollment
21
Registered
2014-09-19
Start date
2014-09-30
Completion date
2015-07-08
Last updated
2018-11-09

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

Conditions

Neck Pain

Keywords

Neck pain, Thoracic spine manipulation, Range of Motion, Disability

Brief summary

This study is designed to compare the short-term effects of two different thoracic spine thrust manipulation techniques on neck range-of-motion, pain, and self-reported disability in people with neck pain. The null hypothesis is that there will be no differences between the two manipulation techniques for short-term effects on neck range-of-motion, pain, and self-reported disability in people with neck pain.

Detailed description

Patients will be involved in the study over a 4 week period. Each participant will be asked to attend 4 sessions, with one week in between each session as follows: Week 0 = baseline assessment and treatment 1; Week 1= treatment 2; Week 2 = treatment 3; and week 4 = follow-up assessment. Patients who meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria will be randomized to either a supine or prone thoracic spine thrust manipulation intervention.

Interventions

OTHERSupine Thoracic Spine Manipulation

Position patient so that small amplitude quick stretch can be applied to the least mobile area of the thoracic spine that is identified during the spinal segmental mobility testing. The thoracic spine thrust manipulation will be applied at an appropriate range of motion as identified by the clinician.

OTHERProne Thoracic Spine Manipulation

Position patient so that small amplitude quick stretch can be applied to the least mobile area of the thoracic spine that is identified during the spinal segmental mobility testing. The thoracic spine thrust manipulation will be applied at an appropriate range of motion as identified by the clinician.

Sponsors

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
22 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Between 22 and 50 years of age * Primary complaint of neck pain with or without symptoms that spread down into one arm * Overall rating of neck pain intensity is at least 3/10; the overall rating is the overall average of the participant's rating of current, least, and worst pain experienced over the previous 24 hours on separate numeric pain rating scales where 0 corresponds to no pain and 10 corresponds to worst pain possible. * Neck Disability Index (NDI) score \> 10 points (measure of self-reported disability with a 0 to 50 point scale where higher scores indicate higher levels of disability). * Proficient in speaking and reading English to complete outcome questionnaires

Exclusion criteria

* Neck pain related to a motor vehicle accident or other trauma within the previous 6 weeks * Neck pain that spreads down into both arms * Low back pain or thoracic origin of pain * Nerve root involvement; defined as the presence of two or more neurological findings (e.g. decreased strength, diminished deep tendon reflex, or decreased sensation) at the same nerve root level * Diagnosis of cervical spine stenosis (narrowing of the central canal that contains the spinal cord) * History of spinal tumors, spinal infection, cervical spine fracture, or previous neck surgery * Pending legal action related to current episode of neck pain * Contraindications to thoracic spine thrust manipulation 1. serious pathologies or conditions (tumor, fracture, metabolic diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, history of prolonged steroid use) 2. hyperreflexia 3. unsteadiness during gait 4. Nystagmus 5. Loss of visual acuity 6. Impaired sensation of the face 7. Altered taste 8. The presence of pathological reflexes 9. pregnancy or considering pregnancy

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)Baseline (Week 0)Patient-rated assessment of pain on scale of 0-10
NPRSChange from Week 0 to Week 1Patient-rating of pain on a scale of 0-10
Neck Disability Index (NDI)Baseline (Week 0)10 Question patient-rated outcome measures specific to neck disability
NDIChange from Baseline (Week 0) to Week 110 Question patient-rated outcome measures specific to neck disability
Shortened Version of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH)Baseline (Week 0)11 item patient-rated outcome measure related to disability in the upper extremity with optional work and sport modules.
QuickDASHChange from Week 0 to Week 111 item patient-rated outcome measure related to disability in the upper extremity with optional work and sport modules.
Neck Range of Motion (ROM)Baseline (Week 0)Cervical rotation and lateral flexion measured with goniometer.
Neck ROMChange from Baseline (Week 0) to Week 1Cervical rotation and lateral flexion measured with goniometer.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

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