Efficacy of Cervical Stabilization Exercises on Hand Grip Strength in Chronic Myofascial Neck Pain

Chronic Neck Pain Clinical Trial

Official title:

Efficacy of Cervical Stabilization Exercises on Hand Grip Strength, Pinch Strength, Pain Pressure Threshold in Patients With Chronic Myofascial Neck Pain

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT06468904
• Other study ID #: P.T.REC/012/004710
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: October 1, 2023
• Est. completion date: August 2024

Study information

• Verified date: June 2024
• Source: Cairo University
• Contact: Fatma Alzahraa M Ali, Master
• Phone: 01028371924
• Email: fatmaalzahraa[@]pt.bsu.edu.eg
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine effect of cervical stabilization exercises on hand grip strength, key pinch strength, pain intensity, pain pressure threshold and hand function in chronic myofascial neck pain patients.

Description:

Myofascial pain of the trapezius is considered one of the main causes of neck pain and characterized by deep, intense pain of the skeletal muscles and their fascia and by the presence of one or more MTrPs, Although MTrPs can be formed in any muscle or muscle group, previous studies concluded that the upper trapezius(UT) muscle is the most commonly affected muscle.

Considering the role of synergistic function of the UT muscle in scapula-humeral rhythm during shoulder movement, it is not surprising that MTrPs in UT muscle can result in shoulder dysfunction and disability. Muscle activity of proximal parts is necessary for activation of distal parts. In fact, the stable activity of distal parts needs controlling the proximal parts. Thus, the stability of shoulder girdle is required for activity of distal parts such as fingers, wrists and elbows. In addition, trigger points in the UT can affect grip strength, which depends on shoulder joint and scapular stability. Thus, UT muscle dysfunction can reduce grip strength.

However, little research has been carried out to determine the therapeutic effects of cervical stabilization exercises on chronic neck pain, and up till now, there is a gap in literature to explore efficacy of cervical stabilization exercises on chronic neck pain and hand grip strength. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether cervical stabilization exercises has an effect on hand grip strength in chronic myofascial neck pain.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Recruiting
• Enrollment: 52
• Est. completion date: August 2024
• Est. primary completion date: August 2024
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Female
• Age group: 20 Years to 45 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Chronic neck pain for more than 3 months.

2. Active MTrPs in the UT muscle with a tender nodule.

3. Constant neck pain, a jump sign during palpation of UT muscle.

4. Referred pain.

5. Symptoms of ipsilateral hand muscles weakness.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Signs of severe pathology such as malignancy of the cervical area.

2. Fractures of the cervical spine.

3. Cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy.

4. Diabetes.

5. Trauma, congenital anomalies and surgery around neck, shoulder and hand.

6. Fibromyalgia or vascular syndromes such as vertebra-basilar insufficiency.

7. Pregnancy.

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Chronic Neck Pain
• Neck Pain

Intervention

Procedure:
• cervical stabilization exercises and integrated neuromuscular technique.
Patients received cervical stabilization exercises and integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique. Cervical stabilization protocol included strengthening exercises of deep cervical flexors muscles which included chin tucks, isometric holds, ball squeeze, as well as deep cervical extensors muscles which included cranio-cervical flexion from neutral, upper cervical rotation and extension of cervical spine. integrated technique includes ischemic compression, muscle energy technique and strain counter strain.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Egypt	Cairo University	Giza
Egypt	Faculty of physical therapy	Giza

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Cairo University

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Egypt, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	primary outcome measure	hand grip strength was measured by hand held dynamometer.	up to four weeks
Secondary	secondary outcome measures	pain pressure threshold was measured by pressure algometer.	up to four weeks
Secondary	secondary outcome measure	hand function was measured by michigan quesstionaire	up to four weeks
Secondary	secondary outcome measure	pain intensity was measured by visual analogue scale	up to 4 weeks
Secondary	secondary outcome measure	pinch strength was measured by pinch gauge	up to four weeks
Secondary	secondary outcome measure	hand function was measured by Michigan questionnaire	up to four weeks