Study on the Effect of Cervical Mobilization on Motor Function and Pressure Pain Threshold in Pain Free Individuals

Overview

Passive accessory cervical mobilization is widely used as a clinical approach to the management of musculoskeletal pain of spinal origin. The purpose of the study is to determine if passive cervical mobilization can improve motor function in situations where motor performance is not impaired by the presence of pain.

Full Title of Study: “A Crossover Study on the Effect of Cervical Mobilization on Motor Function and Pressure Pain Threshold in Pain Free Individuals”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: Randomized
    • Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
    • Masking: Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: October 2005

Detailed Description

Cervical mobilization has been shown to elicit effects on pain perception, autonomic function and motor function in subjects who experience musculoskeletal pain. The improvement in motor function may be a direct effect of the treatment or secondary to a hypoalgesic effect. This study aims to demonstrate whether it is possible to alter motor function following joint mobilization, in situations where motor performance is not impaired by pain.

Interventions

  • Other: Passive cervical mobilisation
    • Passive cervical mobilization which involved an oscillatory grade III unilateral postero-anterior mobilization applied to the left C5/C6 segment. The mobilization consisted of 3 periods of 1 minute applications with a resting period of 1 minute in between.
  • Other: Manual contact
    • Manual contact control, which involved light manual contact on the left C5/C6 segment as if to perform the treatment technique. The light manual contact consisted of 3 periods of 1 minute applications with a resting period of 1 minute in between.

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Active Comparator: Passive cervical mobilisation
    • Grade III cervical mobilization technique as described by Maitland. Applied to left C5/6 Segment.
  • Placebo Comparator: Manual contact
    • Manual contact control, which involved light manual contact on the left C5/C6 segment as if to perform the treatment technique.
  • No Intervention: Non-contact control
    • Non-contact control, which involved the subject resting in the treatment position without any physical contact between the researcher and the subject.

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Electromyography of sternocleidomastoid muscle.
    • Time Frame: Pre intervention (baseline) and 1 minute post intervention
    • Measurement of sternocleidomastoid muscle activation during deep neck flexion. The degree of neck flexion is determined by a pressure biofeedback unit place underneath the neck. EMG of the left and right sternocleidomastoids are recorded for 5seconds at each level of neck flexion

Secondary Measures

  • Pressure pain threshold
    • Time Frame: Pre intervention (baseline) and 1 minute post intervention
    • The algometer to measure pressure pain threshold was applied at a constant rate of 40 kPa/sec on the posterior aspect of the left and right articular pillar of C5/C6.

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • No history of neck or back pain over the last six months – Without any previous experience with spinal manual therapy techniques Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of musculoskeletal or rheumatologic conditions – Any kind of spinal surgery – Dizziness – Previous trauma to the cervical spine – Neurological signs or symptoms

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 18 Years

Maximum Age: 55 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • Curtin University
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Prof Anthony Wright, Curtin University of Technology
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Benjamin Soon Tze Chin, MManipTher, Principal Investigator, The University of Queensland
    • Annina Schmid, MManipTher, Principal Investigator, The University of Queensland
    • Elias Fridriksson, MManipTher, Principal Investigator, Curtin University
    • Philip Cheong, MManipTher, Principal Investigator, Curtin University
    • Elisabeth Gresslos, MManipTher, Principal Investigator, Curitn University of Technology
    • Anthony Wright, PhD, Study Chair, Curtin University

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