Physical Therapy Intervention in Dental Students

Pain Clinical Trial

Official title:

Effectiveness of Physical Therapy Intervention in Pre-Clinical Dental Students

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Active, not recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT05851586
• Other study ID #: AZ-5178
• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: September 1, 2023
• Est. completion date: August 1, 2024

Study information

• Verified date: October 2023
• Source: Midwestern University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The main purpose of our study is to assess whether guided strength training and stretching intervention with a written home exercise program is more effective than a home exercise program alone for pre-clinical dental students in improving and preventing pain associated with dental laboratory practice. Secondary aims will be to assess relationships between strength and quality of life measures of an individual and pain levels.

Description:

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain has been identified as a major concern among dental professionals. This can lead to decreased productivity, efficiency and quality of work along with higher costs for the medical system. The body region that is affected the most is the neck, followed by the back and shoulders. Ergonomic assessments and interventions can identify the areas of concern with workplace set up, however, training the muscles to adapt to abnormal postures may be an effective way of increasing the resilience of the MSK system while decreasing MSK pain as well. Specifically, strength training and stretching has been well researched as a way to prevent and improve pain for neck pain, low back pain and shoulder pain. Physical therapists are well trained in prevention and treatment of injuries, including a wealth of knowledge regarding strength training and stretching for specific regions. The main purpose of our study is to assess whether guided strength Thus, the main purpose of our study is to assess whether guided strength training and stretching intervention with a written home exercise program is more effective than a home exercise program alone for pre-clinical dental students in improving and preventing pain associated with dental laboratory practice. The secondary aim will be to assess the relationships between strength and quality of life measures of an individual and pain levels.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Enrollment: 42
• Est. completion date: August 1, 2024
• Est. primary completion date: April 1, 2024
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults ages 18+
• Current 2nd year university dental students

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any type of musculoskeletal surgery in the past 6 months

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Pain
• Quality of Life
• Strength

Intervention

Procedure:
• Supervised exercise + home exercise program
The supervised exercise + home exercise program group will receive a written home exercise program with general stretching and strengthening exercises for the neck, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, shoulder and hand/wrist. They will also be provided with two supervised exercise sessions per month delivered in a group setting in order to ensure proper performance of the home exercise programs.
• Home exercise program only
The home exercise program only group will receive a written home exercise program with general stretching and strengthening exercises for the neck, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, shoulder and hand/wrist, without any supervised guidance on exercise performance.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Midwestern University	Glendale	Arizona

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Joshua Subialka

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)	PROMIS® is a publicly available system of highly reliable, precise measures of patient-reported health status for physical, mental, and social well-being. This will be measured via electronic survey.	Baseline
Primary	Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)	PROMIS® is a publicly available system of highly reliable, precise measures of patient-reported health status for physical, mental, and social well-being. This will be measured via electronic survey.	Intervention conclusion (7 months)
Primary	Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)	PROMIS® is a publicly available system of highly reliable, precise measures of patient-reported health status for physical, mental, and social well-being. This will be measured via electronic survey.	11 months
Primary	Pain Intensity	Visual analog scale (0-10 rating)	Baseline
Primary	Pain Intensity	Visual analog scale (0-10 rating)	Intervention conclusion (7 months)
Primary	Pain Intensity	Visual analog scale (0-10 rating)	11 months
Secondary	Pec Minor Length Test	Supine measurement in centimeters from table	Baseline, intervention conclusion (7 months), and 4 month follow up prior to beginning clinical rotations.
Secondary	Pec Minor Length Test	Supine measurement in centimeters from table	Intervention conclusion (7 months)
Secondary	Pec Minor Length Test	Supine measurement in centimeters from table	11 months
Secondary	Middle Trapezius Manual Muscle Test	Patient prone with arms abducted to 90 degrees and externally rotated, resisting horizontal adduction. Measured in lbs or Newtons using a handheld dynamometer.	Baseline
Secondary	Middle Trapezius Manual Muscle Test	Patient prone with arms abducted to 90 degrees and externally rotated, resisting horizontal adduction. Measured in lbs or Newtons using a handheld dynamometer.	Intervention conclusion (7 months)
Secondary	Middle Trapezius Manual Muscle Test	Patient prone with arms abducted to 90 degrees and externally rotated, resisting horizontal adduction. Measured in lbs or Newtons using a handheld dynamometer.	11 months
Secondary	Lower Trapezius Manual Muscle Test	Patient prone with arms abducted 120 degrees and externally rotated, resisting downward force. Measured in lbs or Newtons using a handheld dynamometer.	Baseline
Secondary	Lower Trapezius Manual Muscle Test	Patient prone with arms abducted 120 degrees and externally rotated, resisting downward force. Measured in lbs or Newtons using a handheld dynamometer.	Intervention conclusion (7 months)
Secondary	Lower Trapezius Manual Muscle Test	Patient prone with arms abducted 120 degrees and externally rotated, resisting downward force. Measured in lbs or Newtons using a handheld dynamometer.	11 months
Secondary	Cervical Flexor Endurance Test	Patient in supine will be asked to tuck the chin and lift their head maintaining the chin tuck. Measured in seconds for as long as they can maintain appropriate quality of movement.	Baseline
Secondary	Cervical Flexor Endurance Test	Patient in supine will be asked to tuck the chin and lift their head maintaining the chin tuck. Measured in seconds for as long as they can maintain appropriate quality of movement.	Intervention conclusion (7 months)
Secondary	Cervical Flexor Endurance Test	Patient in supine will be asked to tuck the chin and lift their head maintaining the chin tuck. Measured in seconds for as long as they can maintain appropriate quality of movement.	11 months