Clinical Trial Details
— Status: Completed
Administrative data
| NCT number |
NCT06199063 |
| Other study ID # |
NeckPain-METSS-35 |
| Secondary ID |
|
| Status |
Completed |
| Phase |
N/A
|
| First received |
|
| Last updated |
|
| Start date |
February 4, 2023 |
| Est. completion date |
July 4, 2023 |
Study information
| Verified date |
December 2023 |
| Source |
Izmir Democracy University |
| Contact |
n/a |
| Is FDA regulated |
No |
| Health authority |
|
| Study type |
Interventional
|
Clinical Trial Summary
Non-specific neck pain (NSNP) is defined as pain not associated with neurological and
specific pathologies in the posterior and lateral part of the neck between the superior
nuchal line and the first thoracic vertebra. Many conservative treatment modalities including
different exercise techniques are used in the treatment of NSNP. Therefore, the aim of our
study was to investigate the effect of these techniques.
Description:
Non-specific neck pain (NSNP) is defined as pain not associated with neurological and
specific pathologies (infection, fracture, inflammation, etc.) in the posterior and lateral
part of the neck between the superior nuchal line and the first thoracic vertebra. Neglecting
this pain can lead to muscle spasms, stiffness, and many other serious complications. Most
neck pain is caused by trigger points in the cervicothoracic muscles. Trigger points cause
the muscles to weaken, and neck pain with weak cervical muscles has a negative impact on a
person's quality of life.
The estimated incidence of neck pain ranges from 10.4% to 21.3% each year and is affecting an
increasing number of computer and office workers. Pain intensity is low in most new cases,
but disabling neck pain develops in 0.6% of the population. Therefore, it is important to
investigate which treatment modality is more effective in reducing neck pain and its
symptoms. Some recent studies report evidence in favor of a particular type of exercise,
while others report that there is no superior type or dose of exercise.
Neck pain recurs and develops within one to five years in 20% of patients and the rate of
complete recovery in these cases is very low. Neck pain is the most frequently investigated
musculoskeletal problem after low back pain. It is defined as non-specific neck pain due to
multifactorial etiology. Many conservative treatment modalities are used in the treatment of
NSNP. These include clinical exercises, medical treatments, neural therapy, manual therapy
methods, massage, acupuncture, and various physical therapy modalities. Muscle energy
techniques (MET) are manual therapy methods that involve soft tissue manipulation using
precise and controlled, patient-initiated, isometric, and/or isotonic contractions to improve
musculoskeletal function and reduce pain. MET can be used to mobilize a joint with a limited
range of motion, lengthen a spastic or shortened muscle, reduce local edema, and strengthen a
physiologically weak muscle or muscle group.
Post-isometric relaxation (PIR) is defined as a reduction in the tone of the agonist muscle
after an isometric contraction. This technique aims to reduce muscle tension by regulating
muscle function and is used to mobilize the restricted joint, reduce edema, and lengthen and
strengthen muscles in both subacute and chronic conditions. Studies have also used PIR for
neck pain.
The muscle spindle is one of the sensory receptors in skeletal muscle. Its function is to
provide proprioceptive information to the cerebral cortex. As the muscle lengthens, the
muscle spindle is activated, and a reflex contraction of the agonist muscle and relaxation of
the antagonist muscle occurs. This process is known as reciprocal inhibition (RI). Studies
using the RI technique in people with neck pain were found. However, no studies were found in
people with non-specific neck pain.
Stretching is a general term describing a therapeutic maneuver used to increase the
extensibility of soft tissues. Self-stretching (SS) is the self-application of this
technique. Studies comparing the effects of MET with different treatment modalities in people
with non-specific neck pain were identified in the literature. These trials found similar
effects and varying degrees of superiority in reducing pain intensity and increasing range of
motion (ROM). In the literature, studies have compared stretching with MET in people with
neck pain or compared MET with different treatment methods and examined their effects on
variables such as pain and ROM. However, no study was found that compared different METs and
self-training in individuals with NSNP and investigated the immediate effect of EMG.
Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the effect of these techniques. It was
thought that the information obtained as a result of the study would guide the creation and
development of rehabilitation programs.
The hypotheses of the study are as follows:
Hypothesis 1: The PIR technique applied to individuals with NSNP has a positive effect on
pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, range of motion, and muscle activation.
Hypothesis 2: The RI technique applied to individuals with NSNP has a positive effect on pain
intensity, pressure pain threshold, range of motion, and muscle activation.
Hypothesis 3: SS technique applied to individuals with NSNP has a positive effect on pain
intensity, pressure pain threshold, range of motion, and muscle activation.
Hypothesis 4: Muscle energy techniques applied to individuals with NSNP have more positive
effects on pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, range of motion and muscle activation
than SS technique.
