Pain Threshold
Conditions
Keywords
Stretching, Pain sensitivity, Range of motion, Exercise adherence
Brief summary
The primary objective of this study is to determine the immediate efficiency of a six weeks regular stretching protocol on regional and distant pain sensitivity. It is hypothesised that regional and distant pain sensitivity will significantly decrease following six weeks of regular stretching. The secondary objective of the study is to determine the effect after four-week cessation of the stretching protocol on regional and distant pain sensitivity. If regional and distant pain sensitivity decrease following regular stretching, it is hypothesised that the analgesic effect will abate following four-week cessation.
Interventions
OTHERStretch exercises
The intervention comprises of six weeks daily bi-lateral static stretching of the knee flexors. Stretches are performed seated on the ground. The participant sits upright on the floor with one leg straight. The sole of the other foot should be placed on the inside of the outstretched leg. The participant leans slightly forward, trying to touch their toes while maintaining full knee extension. Stretching is performed to the point of discomfort, and each stretch is held for 30-seconds for three repetitions.
Sponsors
Bispebjerg Hospital
University of Copenhagen
Research Unit for General Practice in Aalborg
University College of Northern Denmark
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Masking description
Participants are blinded to the results of the pressure pain threshold measurements. Participants and examiner are blinded to the results of the range of motion and passive resistive torque measurements.
Intervention model description
Single-blind longitudinal repeated measures study
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Healthy men and women aged 18-65 years are recruited. As part of the screening, volunteers will also be asked to indicate known medical issues or diseases. Participants are included if they have no known medical conditions such as * cognitive impairments, * neurological, * orthopaedic, * or neuromuscular problems that might affect the somatosensory system or preclude stretching exercises or range of motion testing at the knee.
Exclusion criteria
* Individuals who regularly engage in flexibility training (e.g., stretching, tai chi, pilates or yoga) * or use any medication that might affect the somatosensory system, such as pain medication, are excluded.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pain sensitivity | Baseline | The primary outcome is pain sensitivity expressed as regional and distant pressure pain thresholds measured by a handheld pressure algometer |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Range of motion | Baseline | Passive knee extension range of motion measured by the Biodex system 4 pro isokinetic dynamometer |
| Passive resistive torque | Baseline | Passive resistive torque measured in passive kne extension measured by the Biodex system 4 pro isokinetic dynamometer |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Adherence to the stretching protocol | 6 weeks | Adherence to the stretching protocol will be measured using self-reported data from an mHealth app. |
Countries
Denmark
Outcome results
None listed