Real-time Ultrasound Imaging as Feedback for Deep Cervical Extensors Activation

Neck Disorder Clinical Trial

Official title:

Real-time Ultrasound Imaging as Feedback for Deep Cervical Extensors Activation

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT04201483
• Other study ID #: 1574447392087
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: Phase 2/Phase 3
• Start date: December 5, 2019
• Est. completion date: April 20, 2020

Study information

• Verified date: December 2019
• Source: University of Valencia
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The aim of this study will be to determine the value of adding real-time ultrasound imaging (RUSI) as an external feedback tool for teaching the contraction of the deep cervical extensors (DCE) in healthy subjects. The potential benefit of RUSI to facilitate activation of the DCE during a specific motor task as well as the retention capacity of this motor task after a short period of training will be investigated

Description:

Participants will be randomly allocated into two exercise groups: "DCE exercise without RUSI feedback (DCE)" and "DCE exercise with RUSI feedback (DCE+RUSI)".

Participants assigned to DCE will perform an exercise known to selectively activate the semispinalis cervicis muscles. By the other hand, participants in the DCE+RUSI group will perform the same exercise as the DCE group to selectively activate the semispinalis cervicis muscle but receiving RUSI feedback about correct performance. In both groups, a total of 10 sets of 10 repetitions will be performed with one minute of rest between each set.

Ultrasound measurement will be used to asses the antero-posterior dimension (thickness) of the DCE both at rest and during contraction at the level of C4 at baseline, immediately after the DCE exercise activation protocol and one-week follow-up in order to evaluate retention capacity.

All participants will be asked to not perform any other cervical motor control exercise or exercise using RUSI feedback until the last time point assessment will be finished.

All participants will be asked to avoid any exercises or treatments for neck pain between sessions.

All ultrasound images will be analysed off-line using Image J software. Thickness and percent thickness change will be measured. The percent thickness change will be calculated by using the following equation: thickness contracted - thickness rest / thickness rest.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Recruiting
• Enrollment: 30
• Est. completion date: April 20, 2020
• Est. primary completion date: February 20, 2020
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 55 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• No actual neck pain

• Being able to understand Spanish language

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neck pain in the last 3 months

• Previous surgery in the neck region

• Neurological diseases or any other condition that may alter voluntary muscle contraction

• Previous experience with cervical motor control training exercises

• Previous experience using RUSI as an external feedback tool in any other body area

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Neck Disorder

Intervention

Other:
• DCE without RUSI feedback
Participants assigned to this group will perform an exercise known to selectively activate the semispinalis cervicis muscle
• DCE + RUSI feedback about performance
Participants in this group will perform the same exercise as the DCE group to selectively activate the semispinalis cervicis muscle but receiving RUSI feedback about correct performance

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Spain	Faculty of Physiotherapy. University of Valencia	Valencia

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Valencia

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Spain, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Deep cervical extensors function at baseline	Ultrasound measurements will be used to asses the antero-posterior dimension (thickness) of the deep cervical extensors both at rest and during contraction at the level of C4	Baseline
Primary	Change of the deep cervical extensors function from baseline to immediately after intervention	Ultrasound measurements will be used to asses the antero-posterior dimension (thickness) of the deep cervical extensors both at rest and during contraction at the level of C4	From baseline to immediately after intervention
Primary	Change of the deep cervical extensors function from baseline to one week after intervention	Ultrasound measurements will be used to asses the antero-posterior dimension (thickness) of the deep cervical extensors both at rest and during contraction at the level of C4	From baseline to one week after intervention