The Effects of Thoracic Spine Mobilizations in Individuals With Neck Pain. (THSPMOBS)

To determine the affects of Physical Therapists clinical reasoning using thoracic spine mobilization for neck pain compared to a standard protocol.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Neck Pain
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Mobilization Type

Detailed Description

The purpose of this research is to compare the effects of two commonly used, safe, thoracic spine treatments: grade 1-4 as performed by Cleland et. al. and grade 1-4 mobilization to the thoracic spine as selected by the Physical Therapist for cervical spine pain. The immediate effects of thoracic spine mobilization have been shown to facilitate greater range of motion increases in the cervical spine and greater pain decreases within a treatment session and on follow-up visits. There is no research utilizing pain threshold perception as an objective outcome of these treatments. Only one study compared the two treatment techniques and concluded that future research should be completed which includes manual therapy for the thoracic spine. (Cleland 2007) If the PT identifies an appropriate patient they will ask if they are interested in being a research subject. The Physical Theapist recruiting subjects all have completed their Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree and have advanced training in manual Physical Therapy. The techniques employed are considered standard practice and are defined as entry level skills by the Comission of Accredicdation of Physical Therapy Programs. These techniques are typically taught in DPT degree programs.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Pennsylvania
    • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15221
      • Recruiting
      • Chatham University
      • Contact: Steve A Karas, DSc; Phone Number: 412-365-2798; Email: skaras@chatham.edu
      • Principal Investigator: Steve A Karas, DSc

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 60 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with Neck Pain
• Ages 18 - 60

Exclusion Criteria:

• Red flags: leg weakness, night pain, history of cancer, upper motor neuron signs, infection, tumors, osteoporosis, fracture (Boissonnault, 2011) (Cleland, 2004), cervical stenosis, CNS involvement, signs consistent with nerve root compression, previous surgery, pending legal action

The inclusion and exclusion above represent a conservative approach based on combining criteria of recent studies in published review articles. (Cross, 2011; Walser, 2009

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Mobilization; Group One: Mobilization Group: this group will receive grade 1,2,3,or 4 mobilization in prone based on the PT's clinical judgement. The treatment parameters will be recorded. Group Two: Grade 3-4 mobilization group: this group will receive a grade 3-4 mobilization, for 30 seconds form the first through sixth thoracic vertebrae.	Other: Mobilization Type; Group One: Mobilization Group: this group will receive grade 1,2,3,or 4 mobilization in prone based on the PT's clinical judgement. The treatment parameters will be recorded. Group Two: Grade 3-4 mobilization group: this group will receive a grade 3-4 mobilization, for 30 seconds form the first through sixth thoracic vertebrae.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Neck Pain	0-10 scale	2 weeks
Neck Disability Index	Assessment of function of neck using a valid and reliable written tool.	2 weeks
Global Rating of Change	A written scale assessing overall improvement	2 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Chatham University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2015
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): December 1, 2018
• Study Completion (Anticipated): December 1, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 2, 2015
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 4, 2015
• First Posted (Estimate): February 5, 2015

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 27, 2017
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 25, 2017
• Last Verified: October 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Neck Pain
• Other Study ID Numbers: ChathamU

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No