Immediate Effects of Manipulation Versus Stretching on Upper Trapezius Pressure Pain Thresholds

The Immediate Effects of Cervicothoracic Manipulation vs. Stretching on Upper Trapezius Pressure Pain Thresholds and Cervical Spine Range of Motion

The purpose of this study is to determine the immediate effects of cervicothoracic manipulation and upper trapezius stretching on upper trapezius pressure pain threshold and cervical ROM.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Neurophysiological Mechanisms Manipulation
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: CT Manipulation; Procedure: Upper trapezius stretch

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 90
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Nevada
    • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89154
      • University of Nevada Las Vegas

Participation Criteria

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:

1. Absence of current neck pain
2. Aged 18 - 70 years
3. Able to lie on stomach or back without difficulty

Exclusion Criteria:

1. 'Red flag' items indicated in Neck Medical Screening Questionnaire such as history of a tumor, bone fracture, metabolic diseases, Rheumatoid Arthritis, osteoporosis, severe atherosclerosis, prolonged history of steroid use, etc.
2. History of neck whiplash injury
3. Diagnosis from physician of cervical spinal stenosis (narrowing of spinal canal) or presence of symptoms (pain, pins and needles, numbness) down both arms
4. Presence of central nervous system involvement such as exaggerated reflexes, changes in sensation in the hands, muscle wasting in the hands, impaired sensation of the face, altered taste, and presence of abnormal reflexes
5. Evidence of neurological signs consistent with nerve root entrapment (pinched nerve in the neck)
6. Prior surgery to neck or upper back
7. A medical condition which may influence assessment of pain or pressure pain thresholds (i.e. taking analgesics, sedatives, history of substance abuse, or cognitive deficiency)
8. Diagnosis from physician of fibromyalgia syndrome
9. Currently pregnant, or could be pregnant

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: CT Manipulation; Prone cervicothoracic manipulation	Procedure: CT Manipulation
Active Comparator: Upper trapezius stretch; Passive sustained stretch to upper trapezius muscle	Procedure: Upper trapezius stretch
No Intervention: Control; 8 Minute wait

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pain Pressure Threshold	Using a standardized pain pressure algometer, subjects will have recordings of pressure at which onset of pain is noted	up to 10 minutes

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Cervical Range of Motion	Using a CROM device, cervical spine range of motion will be measured in angular degrees	up to 10 minutes

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Emilio J Puentedura, PT, DPT, PhD, UNLV; Principal Investigator: William J Hanney, PT, DPT, PhD, UCF

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: May 1, 2013
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 1, 2014
• Study Completion (Actual): August 1, 2014

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 4, 2014
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 6, 2014
• First Posted (Estimate): March 7, 2014

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): November 5, 2014
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 3, 2014
• Last Verified: November 1, 2014

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: UNLVPT-1301