Chiropractic Care, Medication, and Self-Care for Neck Pain

This study will compare the effectiveness of chiropractic care, medications, and self-care on neck pain, a very common condition. The broad, long-term objective of this study is to identify effective therapies for neck pain sufferers and to increase understanding of neck pain conditions.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Neck Pain
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Acetaminophen; Behavioral: Self-care; Procedure: Chiropractic spinal manipulation; Drug: Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS); Drug: Tylenol with codeine

Detailed Description

Neck pain is very common, with considerable socioeconomic consequences. Although some therapies appear promising, there are too few randomized clinical trials of sufficient quality to support the use of one therapy over another. This is especially true for acute/subacute neck pain. Although commonly treated with prescription medications, neck pain sufferers are increasingly seeking relief through complementary and alternative medicine therapies, such as chiropractic spinal manipulation. Little is known, however about the short- and long-term relative efficacy of these therapies and how they compare to giving patients simple advice on self-care.

The broad, long-term objective of this research is to identify effective therapies for neck pain sufferers and to increase our understanding of neck pain conditions. This randomized, observer-blinded clinical trial is a unique collaborative effort by experienced chiropractic and medical researchers and will focus on patients with acute/subacute neck pain (<12 weeks duration). The study will determine the relative efficacy of chiropractic spinal manipulation, prescription medication, and self-care advice for neck pain in both the short term (after 6 weeks) and long term (after 52 weeks), using patient-rated neck pain as the main indicator of success.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 270
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Minnesota
    • Bloomington, Minnesota, United States, 55431
      • Northern Health Sciences University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women, due to use of diagnostic procedures (x-rays) and study treatments (NSAIDs and narcotic medications)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Bronfort G, Evans R, Anderson AV, Svendsen KH, Bracha Y, Grimm RH. Spinal manipulation, medication, or home exercise with advice for acute and subacute neck pain: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2012 Jan 3;156(1 Pt 1):1-10. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-156-1-201201030-00002.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: September 1, 2001
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 1, 2007
• Study Completion (Actual): May 1, 2007

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 23, 2002
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 23, 2002
• First Posted (Estimate): January 24, 2002

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): January 25, 2008
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 23, 2008
• Last Verified: January 1, 2008

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Neck Pain; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Central Nervous System Depressants; Peripheral Nervous System Agents; Analgesics; Sensory System Agents; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Antirheumatic Agents; Antipyretics; Analgesics, Opioid; Narcotics; Respiratory System Agents; Antitussive Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Acetaminophen; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Codeine
• Other Study ID Numbers: R01AT000707-01 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)