Chronic Neck Pain
Conditions
Keywords
neck pain, longitudinal stripping massage, percussion massage, trapezius, elastography, shear wave, Doppler ultrasound, cervical pain
Brief summary
This study evaluates whether a single session of percussion therapy can reduce muscle tension and increase blood flow in the transverse cervical artery in individuals with neck pain. The investigators will evaluate muscle stiffness using ultrasound elastography, and assess blood flow in the transverse cervical artery via Doppler imaging before and after treatment. The primary objective is to determine how this therapy affects neck muscle relaxation and vascular responses, specifically within the upper trapezius region.
Interventions
DEVICEPercussion Therapy
Theragun device applied to dominant side of upper trapezius muscle. Session duration: 3 minutes.
OTHERLongitudinal stripping masage
Longitudinal stripping massage of dominant side of upper trapezius muscle. Session duration: 3 minutes.
Sponsors
Poznan University of Physical Education
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)
Masking description
The ultrasonographer performing elastography and Doppler assessments will be blinded to participants' treatment allocation
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Age: 18-60 years * Neck pain persisting for at least 3 months * Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score between 3 and 7 * Neck Disability Index (NDI) between 30% and 48%
Exclusion criteria
* Pregnancy and postpartum period * History of cervical spine or shoulder surgery * Diagnosed fibromyalgia, radiculopathy, or myelopathy * Myofascial therapy within the last 3 months * Use of analgesic medication within 48 hours before assessment * Venous diseases
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Neck pain intensity on Visual Analog Scale (VAS) | Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up) | Neck pain intensity evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale slide scale (score range 0-10, where 0 = no pain and 10 = worst imaginable pain). The patient marks their pain level using the slider, and the result is recorded as a numerical score. Unit of Measure: points |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Neck pain-related disability on Neck Disability Index (NDI) | Baseline, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up) | Neck pain-related disability measured with the Neck Disability Index (score range 0-50 points, where higher scores indicate greater disability). Unit of Measure: points |
| Shear-wave elastography of upper trapezius muscle: mean stiffness | Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up) | Ultrasound shear-wave elastography of the upper trapezius muscle at the midpoint (foramen magnum-acromion line) to evaluate the mean stiffness value. Measurements performed supine with head stabilized, arms alongside body, cervical spine neutral. Probe placed at the midpoint of the trapezius. Ultrasound gel applied for optimal contact. The measurement is performed 3 times and the average value is used; repeated if discrepancies. Same researcher throughout. Unit of Measure: kilopascals (kPa) |
| Myotonometry of upper trapezius muscle: oscillation frequency | Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up) | Assessment of myofascial tissue tone (oscillation frequency) of the upper trapezius at the midpoint (foramen magnum-acromion line) using MyotonPRO device. Measurements performed supine with head stabilized, arms alongside body, cervical spine neutral. Probe placed perpendicular to the muscle surface at the midpoint of the trapezius. Same researcher throughout. Unit of Measure: hertz (Hz) |
| Myotonometry of upper trapezius muscle: dynamic stiffness | Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up) | Assessment of biomechanical properties (dynamic stiffness) of the upper trapezius at the midpoint (foramen magnum-acromion line) using MyotonPRO device. Measurements performed supine with head stabilized, arms alongside body, cervical spine neutral. Probe placed perpendicular to the muscle surface at the midpoint of the trapezius. Same researcher throughout. Unit of Measure: newtons per meter (N/m) |
| Myotonometry of upper trapezius muscle: decrement | Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up) | Assessment of viscoelastic properties (logarithmic decrement of oscillation, reflecting elasticity) of the upper trapezius at the midpoint (foramen magnum-acromion line) using MyotonPRO device. Measurements performed supine with head stabilized, arms alongside body, cervical spine neutral. Probe placed perpendicular to the muscle surface at the midpoint of the trapezius. Same researcher throughout. Unit of Measure: dimensionless |
| Active cervical range of motion: flexion | Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up) | Active cervical range of motion (flexion) measured using EasyAngle goniometer mounted on the patient's head with an elastic band. The patient is seated upright with feet flat on the floor, head in neutral position. The movement is performed 3 times from neutral (goniometer recalibrated to 0° between trials) and the mean value is recorded. All measurements performed by the same researcher. Unit of Measure: degrees |
| Active cervical range of motion: extension | Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up) | Active cervical range of motion (extension) measured using EasyAngle goniometer mounted on the patient's head with an elastic band. The patient is seated upright with feet flat on the floor, head in neutral position. The movement is performed 3 times from neutral (goniometer recalibrated to 0° between trials) and the mean value is recorded. All measurements performed by the same researcher. Unit of Measure: degrees |
| Active cervical range of motion: right lateral flexion | Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up) | Active cervical range of motion (right lateral flexion) measured using EasyAngle goniometer mounted on the patient's head with an elastic band. The patient is seated upright with feet flat on the floor, head in neutral position. The movement is performed 3 times from neutral (goniometer recalibrated to 0° between trials) and the mean value is recorded. All measurements performed by the same researcher. Unit of Measure: degrees |
| Active cervical range of motion: left lateral flexion | Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up) | Active cervical range of motion (left lateral flexion) measured using EasyAngle goniometer mounted on the patient's head with an elastic band. The patient is seated upright with feet flat on the floor, head in neutral position. The movement is performed 3 times from neutral (goniometer recalibrated to 0° between trials) and the mean value is recorded. All measurements performed by the same researcher. Unit of Measure: degrees |
| Active cervical range of motion: right rotation | Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up) | Active cervical range of motion (right rotation) measured using EasyAngle goniometer mounted on the patient's head with an elastic band. The patient is seated upright with feet flat on the floor, head in neutral position. The movement is performed 3 times from neutral (goniometer recalibrated to 0° between trials) and the mean value is recorded. All measurements performed by the same researcher. Unit of Measure: degrees |
| Active cervical range of motion: left rotation | Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up) | Active cervical range of motion (left rotation) measured using EasyAngle goniometer mounted on the patient's head with an elastic band. The patient is seated upright with feet flat on the floor, head in neutral position. The movement is performed 3 times from neutral (goniometer recalibrated to 0° between trials) and the mean value is recorded. All measurements performed by the same researcher. Unit of Measure: degrees |
Countries
Poland
Outcome results
None listed