Randomized Controlled Trial of Chiropractic Manipulation Versus Medical Therapy for Chronic Neck Pain

February 4, 2013 updated by: University of Colorado, Denver
The purpose of this study is to determine whether chiropractic manipulation or medical therapy is effective in the treatment of chronic neck pain.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Neck pain is a common complaint, approximately 10% of the population have neck pain. Many modalities are used to treat neck pain, but no therapy has been found to be clearly superior. We conducted a randomized controlled study of chiropractic manipulation versus medical therapy for chronic neck pain.

Subjects (n=70) with neck pain for more than 3 months but with no evidence of radiculopathy or myelopathy were randomized. Both groups were instructed to do neck exercises and use heat daily. The chiropractic group received 12 standardized manipulations over 6 weeks. Nurses saw the medical group on the same visit schedule and received acetaminophen 1,000 milligrams four times a day as needed. Blinded observer performed all measurements. The primary outcome measure was the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Secondary measures were pain via a visual analogue scale, global via Medical Outcome Study Short Form and range of motion via Cybex electronic inclinometer.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment

70

Phase

  • 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

  • United States
    • Colorado
      • Denver, Colorado, United States, 80262
        • University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

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

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Neck pain for more than 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy
  • Contraindications to cervical manipulation: metastatic cancer, coagulation disorder, cervical spine abnormalities, neuromuscular disease
  • Medical contraindications: uncontrolled hypertension, active coronary artery disease, history of cerebral vascular disease, alcohol or drug dependency, acetaminophen allergy
  • Active litigation involving neck pain
  • Medical or Chiropractic treatment within the past 3 months

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

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Neck Disability Index scale 0-30, clinically significant difference is a change greater than or equal to 5

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

University of Colorado, Denver

Collaborators

Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER)

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: David J Tanaka, M.D., University of Colorado, Denver

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

September 1, 1994

Primary Completion (Actual)

January 1, 2007

Study Completion (Actual)

January 1, 2007

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 30, 2007

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 31, 2007

First Posted (Estimate)

February 1, 2007

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

February 5, 2013

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 4, 2013

Last Verified

January 1, 2007

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 94-0085

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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