Neck Disorder
Conditions
Brief summary
The aim of this study will be to determine the value of adding real-time ultrasound imaging (RUSI) as an external feedback tool for teaching the contraction of the deep cervical extensors (DCE) in healthy subjects. The potential benefit of RUSI to facilitate activation of the DCE during a specific motor task as well as the retention capacity of this motor task after a short period of training will be investigated
Detailed description
Participants will be randomly allocated into two exercise groups: DCE exercise without RUSI feedback (DCE) and DCE exercise with RUSI feedback (DCE+RUSI). Participants assigned to DCE will perform an exercise known to selectively activate the semispinalis cervicis muscles. By the other hand, participants in the DCE+RUSI group will perform the same exercise as the DCE group to selectively activate the semispinalis cervicis muscle but receiving RUSI feedback about correct performance. In both groups, a total of 10 sets of 10 repetitions will be performed with one minute of rest between each set. Ultrasound measurement will be used to asses the antero-posterior dimension (thickness) of the DCE both at rest and during contraction at the level of C4 at baseline, immediately after the DCE exercise activation protocol and one-week follow-up in order to evaluate retention capacity. All participants will be asked to not perform any other cervical motor control exercise or exercise using RUSI feedback until the last time point assessment will be finished. All participants will be asked to avoid any exercises or treatments for neck pain between sessions. All ultrasound images will be analysed off-line using Image J software. Thickness and percent thickness change will be measured. The percent thickness change will be calculated by using the following equation: thickness contracted - thickness rest / thickness rest.
Interventions
OTHERDCE without RUSI feedback
Participants assigned to this group will perform an exercise known to selectively activate the semispinalis cervicis muscle
OTHERDCE + RUSI feedback about performance
Participants in this group will perform the same exercise as the DCE group to selectively activate the semispinalis cervicis muscle but receiving RUSI feedback about correct performance
Sponsors
University of Valencia
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Ultrasound measurements will be performed by the rater responsible of performing ultrasound measurements who will be blinded to the assigned group
Intervention model description
This will be a randomized clinical trial, with parallel groups and a blinded assessor performed in accordance with CONSORT guidelines. Participants will be randomized into two exercise groups: DCE exercise without RUSI feedback (DCE) and DCE exercise with RUSI feedback (DCE+RUSI). Randomization will be conducted using computer-generated random numbers (Epidat® version 3.1). Allocation concealment will be ensured using opaque and sealed envelopes
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* No actual neck pain * Being able to understand Spanish language
Exclusion criteria
* Neck pain in the last 3 months * Previous surgery in the neck region * Neurological diseases or any other condition that may alter voluntary muscle contraction * Previous experience with cervical motor control training exercises * Previous experience using RUSI as an external feedback tool in any other body area
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Deep cervical extensors function at baseline | Baseline | Ultrasound measurements will be used to asses the antero-posterior dimension (thickness) of the deep cervical extensors both at rest and during contraction at the level of C4 |
| Change of the deep cervical extensors function from baseline to immediately after intervention | From baseline to immediately after intervention | Ultrasound measurements will be used to asses the antero-posterior dimension (thickness) of the deep cervical extensors both at rest and during contraction at the level of C4 |
| Change of the deep cervical extensors function from baseline to one week after intervention | From baseline to one week after intervention | Ultrasound measurements will be used to asses the antero-posterior dimension (thickness) of the deep cervical extensors both at rest and during contraction at the level of C4 |
Countries
Spain
Outcome results
None listed