Neck-specific Training or Prescribed Physical Activity for Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy

September 6, 2017 updated by: Åsa Dedering, Karolinska University Hospital

Interventions for Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy- Neck-specific Training With a Cognitive Behavioural Approach Compared With Prescribed Physical Activity in a Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial

The overall objective is to evaluate if treatment with a neck-specific exercise program and cognitive behavioural approach improves the outcome compared with prescribed, self-mediated and progressive physical activity in patients with cervical radiculopathy. There is a lack of evidence of the best treatment for the patient category. Many patients are sick-listed for long periods of time with different kind of treatment approaches or without any treatment at all. The present study could fill the identified knowledge gap by strengthening of the currently weak scientific evidence for treatment of the patient category. The long-term effects of the study could be to reduce the time for sick leave and improve the rate of patients returning to work and/ or former activity by optimising treatments. Further on, to decrease the number of patients who finally have surgery for their neck problems and thus reducing the mental, physical and social costs.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Patients with cervical radiculopathy have neck- and arm pain, neurological changes, activity limitations and difficulties in returning to work. The current scientific evidence lacks randomised controlled trials to compare surgery with conservative treatment as well as to evaluate different conservative interventions. Most patients are not candidates for surgery and are sick-listed for long time with different treatment approaches or without any treatment at all. The purpose is to evaluate if treatment with neck-specific training and a cognitive behavioral approach improves the outcome compared with prescribed physical activity. Methods: A randomized controlled trial including 144 patients will compare the intervention neck specific training and cognitive behavioural approach with an intervention of prescribed physical activity. The interventions will be led by experienced and specialised physiotherapists and last 14 weeks. Main outcome variable is pain intensity (VAS scale) accompanied with assessments of impairments and subjective health measurements undertaken before intervention and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Implementation: The results will be presented scientifically as well as popularly in publications and professional meetings. Active implementation strategies to change physiotherapists treatment behaviour will be used. The best method will be chosen after surveying the physiotherapists treating patients in the current study regarding experiences, education and organisational context.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
144

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Sweden
      • Stockholm, Sweden, 17176
        • Department of Physical Therapy, Karolinska University Hospital,

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) verified cervical disc disease showing cervical nerve root compression
  • Positive Spurling sign and/or cervical extension test
  • Clinical examination signs matching the MRI

Exclusion Criteria:

  • earlier fracture or luxation of the cervical column,
  • malignity,
  • spinal tumour,
  • spinal infection,
  • previous surgery in the cervical column,
  • co-morbidity such as disease or symptoms contraindicated to perform the treatment program or the measurements,
  • known drug abuse,
  • lack of familiarity with the Swedish language,
  • diagnosed psychiatric disorder

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Other: Prescribed physical activity
Prescribed physical activity is a tailored physical activity programme with monitoring of progress and a follow-up. Also includes interview: exploratory talk, commitment/decision, life style change, health promotion, evaluation of readiness for change, reflection, assessment of motivation, patient specific goal assessment, conclusion and plan for follow-up at 14 weeks. Patients are guided by the physiotherapist to increase their overall activity and strength with i.e. walking and other self-mediated activities and exercise.
Other: Prescribed physical activity
Prescribed physical activity is a tailored physical activity programme with monitoring of progress and a follow-up. Also includes interview: exploratory talk, commitment/decision, life style change, health promotion, evaluation of readiness for change, reflection, assessment of motivation, patient specific goal assessment, conclusion and plan for follow-up at 14 weeks. Patients are guided by the physiotherapist to increase their overall activity and strength with i.e. walking and other self-mediated activities and exercise.
Other: Neck specific training
The active physiotherapy rehabilitation program consists of a standardised and structured physiotherapy program (twice a week) with medical exercise therapy and if needed vestibular rehabilitation. At the start of the intervention motivational interviewing will be included. Additionally once a week during the first 14 weeks of the program the physiotherapist informs the patient about physiology of pain, stress, exercise, breathing, relaxation, coping, pacing and ergonomics. All through the treatment program a cognitive approach from the physiotherapist according to theoretical behaviour change models will be used.
Other: Neck specific training
The active physiotherapy rehabilitation program consists of a standardised and structured physiotherapy program (twice a week) with medical exercise therapy and if needed vestibular rehabilitation. At the start of the intervention motivational interviewing will be included. Additionally once a week during the first 14 weeks of the program the physiotherapist informs the patient about physiology of pain, stress, exercise, breathing, relaxation, coping, pacing and ergonomics. All through the treatment program a cognitive approach from the physiotherapist according to theoretical behaviour change models will be used.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Pain
Time Frame: Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Neck and Arm Pain is measured with Visual Analogue Scale
Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Disability
Time Frame: Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Neck Specific Disability is measured with Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Health related quality of life
Time Frame: Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Health related quality of life is assessed by the EuroQuol 5 dimensions (EQ-5D).
Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Self-efficacy
Time Frame: Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Self-efficacy will be measured on the Self-efficacy and Exercise Self-efficacy scales
Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Symptom satisfaction
Time Frame: Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Symptom satisfaction is rated on 7-grade scale
Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Fear Avoidance Beliefs
Time Frame: Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Fear Avoidance Beliefs will be measured with Fear Avoidance Beliefs questionnaire (FABQ)and Tampa scale (TSK)
Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Depression
Time Frame: Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Hostility, anxiety and depression will be measured with Hostility, anxiety and depression scale (HAD)
Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Coping strategies
Time Frame: Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Coping strategies will be measured with Coping strategy questionnaire
Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Pain catastrophizing
Time Frame: Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Pain catastrophizing will be measured with Pain catastrophizing scale
Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Physical activity
Time Frame: Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Physical activity will be measured with International Physical activity questionnaire
Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Patients specific goals
Time Frame: Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Patients specific goals will measured with Patients specific functional scale and Patient goal assessment scale
Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Work ability
Time Frame: Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Work ability will be measured with Work Ability Index
Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Physical clinical outcome measures
Time Frame: Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Clinical examination
Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Cervical range of motion
Time Frame: Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Hand strength
Time Frame: Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Muscle fatigue
Time Frame: Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 1 year follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Electromyography on the neck muscles
Baseline and change after 15 weeks, 1 year follow up. The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Neck muscle endurance
Time Frame: Base line, 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.
Neck muscle endurance time measured in sec for dorsal and ventral neck muscles during a static endurance test
Base line, 15 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, The outcome measures is going to report a change over time.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Karolinska University Hospital

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Linkoeping University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Chair: Åsa Dedering, PhD, Karolinska Institutet

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
August 1, 2010

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
January 1, 2016

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
March 1, 2017

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
April 5, 2013

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 10, 2013

First Posted (Estimate)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
April 15, 2013

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 7, 2017

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 6, 2017

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • KI: 2009/1756-31/4

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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