The Effect of Stretching Intensity on Pain Sensitivity

The primary objective of this study is to determine the immediate efficiency of stretching intensity on regional and distant pain sensitivity in healthy subjects. It is hypothesized that the analgesic effect of stretching may be linked with the intensity of stretching in a dose-response relationship.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Range of Motion; Pain Threshold; Stretching; Pain Sensitivity
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Static stretching

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 31
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Denmark
  • Aalborg, Denmark, 9220
    • University College of Northern Denmark

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy men and women aged 18-55 years are recruited. As part of the screening, volunteers will also be asked to indicate known medical issues or diseases.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants are included if they have no known medical conditions such as; cognitive impairments, neurological, orthopaedic, or neuromuscular problems that might affect the somatosensory system or preclude stretching exercises or range of motion testing at the knee.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Static stretching to the point of pain; The participants are assigned to four bouts of static stretching of the right knee flexors with a 20-second rest period between bouts 20 to the point of pain.	Other: Static stretching; The participants are assigned to four bouts of static stretching of the right knee flexors with a 20-second rest period between bouts 20 to the point of discomfort and to the point of pain.
Experimental: Static stretching to the point of discomfort; The participants are assigned to four bouts of static stretching of the right knee flexors with a 20-second rest period between bouts 20 to the point of discomfort.	Other: Static stretching; The participants are assigned to four bouts of static stretching of the right knee flexors with a 20-second rest period between bouts 20 to the point of discomfort and to the point of pain.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pressure pain thresholds	Pressure pain thresholds was measures using a handheld pressure algometer	Pressure pain thresholds were measured as a baseline just prior to the induction of stretching to the point of pain and stretching to the point of discomfort
Pressure pain thresholds	Pressure pain thresholds was measures using a handheld pressure algometer	Pressure pain thresholds were measured immediately after stretching

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Knee extension range of motion	Passively induced knee extension range of motion was measured using the Biodex system 4 pro isokinetic dynamometer	Passive knee extension range of motion was measured as a baseline just prior to the induction of stretching to the point of pain and stretching to the point of discomfort
Knee extension range of motion	Passively induced knee extension range of motion was measured using the Biodex system 4 pro isokinetic dynamometer	Passive knee extension range of motion was measured immediately after stretching
Passive resistive torque	Passive resistive torque was measured using the Biodex system 4 pro isokinetic dynamometer	Passive resistive torque was measured as a baseline just prior to the induction of stretching to the point of pain and stretching to the point of discomfort
Passive resistive torque	Passive resistive torque was measured using the Biodex system 4 pro isokinetic dynamometer	Passive resistive torque was measured immediately after stretching

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University College of Northern Denmark
• Collaborators: University of Copenhagen; Bispebjerg Hospital; Research Unit for General Practice in Aalborg
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Morten P Støve, Pt. Msc, University College of Northern Denmark and Center for General Practice, Aalborg University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 20, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 30, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): April 30, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 2, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 9, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): August 14, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 9, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 8, 2024
• Last Verified: April 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Immune System Diseases; Hypersensitivity
• Other Study ID Numbers: Intensity vs. Hypoalgesia

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: Data is made available upon request.
• IPD Sharing Access Criteria: Access is granted on reasonable request

Drug and device information, study documents

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