Thrust Manipulation vs. Non-thrust Mobilizations for Mechanical Neck Pain

Neck Pain Clinical Trial

Official title: A Pragmatically Applied Cervical and Thoracic Non-thrust Mobilizations Versus Thrust Manipulation for Patients With Mechanical Neck Pain: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial

Status Recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this clinical trial is to compare the use of thrust manipulation to non-thrust mobilizations for mechanical neck pain when they are applied to both the cervical and thoracic spine. Both of these techniques have been compared in previous trials but a pragmatic approach will be employed as well as controlling for clinical equipoise.

Clinical Trial Description

A total sample size of 136 subjects with mechanical neck pain will be recruited to participant in this trial from multiple clinic and university sites around the country. Each subject will be evaluated by a licensed physical therapist that specializes in orthopedic manual therapy (OMT). Each treating therapist will be blinded be the data collection and each data collection therapist will be blinded to the treatment allocation. Subjects data will be collected at the initial visit, second visit, and at discharge. The maximum number of weeks that a subject may be enrolled is 8 weeks (2 months). At that point, they are discharged from the study. The treating therapist will allocate the subject through the already completed randomization procedures. Once the subject is randomized, the treating therapist will perform the OMT based on their clinical reasoning and in a manner they feel would benefit the patient the most. In addition to the OMT, each subject will receive a home exercise program, advice, encouragement, and education. A number of outcome variables will be collected regarded pain and disability as well as one physical performance measure. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Neck Pain

• NCT number: NCT02619500
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Youngstown State University
• Contact: David W Griswold, DPT
• Phone: 330-941-2419
• Email: dwgriswold@ysu.edu
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: February 2016
• Completion date: November 2017