NCT02209480

Brief Summary

This study aimed to test the efficacy of five Alexander Technique lessons compared to the same period of heat pad application and guided imagery in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
72

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Dec 2007

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

December 1, 2007

Completed
8 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

August 1, 2008

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

August 1, 2008

Completed
6 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 4, 2014

Completed
2 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 6, 2014

Completed
Last Updated

May 2, 2018

Status Verified

April 1, 2018

Enrollment Period

8 months

First QC Date

August 4, 2014

Last Update Submit

April 30, 2018

Conditions

Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • neck pain intensity

    neck pain intensity measured on a 100mm visual analog scales 1. comparison Alexander technique vs. heat pad 2. comparison Alexander technique vs. guided imagery

    5 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (6)

  • quality of life

    5 weeks

  • Pain on motion

    5 weeks

  • Medication

    5 weeks

  • functional disability

    5 weeks

  • satisfaction

    5 weeks

  • +1 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (3)

Alexander Technique

EXPERIMENTAL

5 lessons of AT, each lasting up to 45 minutes, weekly intervals The lessons aimed at sensory awareness of everyday movements and movement sequences, such as sitting, walking, lying, or lifting in order to replace habitual patterns using conscious control; and different techniques were applied, such as demonstration, verbal instructions, hands on techniques and others

Behavioral: Alexander Technique

Heat pad application

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

5 treatments by means of a heat pad, 15-0 minutes, sitting or lying position, quiet room Heat pad: Zapp-Sack® contained certain grains and a ginger extract, and could be heated up in the microwave.

Device: Heat pad application

guided imagery

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

guided imagery relaxation technique , 45 minutes, 5 sessions in weekly rhythm including body scan, breathing relaxation, visualization

Behavioral: guided imagery

Interventions

Alexander TechniqueBEHAVIORAL
Alexander Technique
Heat pad applicationDEVICE
Heat pad application
guided imageryBEHAVIORAL
guided imagery

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 50 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • chronic non-specific neck pain
  • at least 3 months
  • mm pain intensity on visual analog scale

You may not qualify if:

  • neck pain as consequence of disc protrusion or prolapse, whiplash, congenital deformity of the spine, spinal stenosis, neoplasm, inflammatory rheumatic disease, neurological disorder,
  • active oncologic disease
  • affective disorder
  • addiction
  • psychosis.
  • pregnancy
  • invasive treatment of the spine within the previous three weeks
  • spinal surgery
  • previous experiences in Alexander Technique
  • ongoing application for disability pension
  • simultaneous participation in other clinical trials on neck pain

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Kliniken Essen-Mitte

Essen, 45276, Germany

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Lauche R, Schuth M, Schwickert M, Ludtke R, Musial F, Michalsen A, Dobos G, Choi KE. Efficacy of the Alexander Technique in treating chronic non-specific neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2016 Mar;30(3):247-58. doi: 10.1177/0269215515578699. Epub 2015 Mar 31.

    PMID: 25834276RESULT

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Imagery, Psychotherapy

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body TherapiesComplementary TherapiesTherapeuticsPsychotherapyBehavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Principle Investigator

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 4, 2014

First Posted

August 6, 2014

Study Start

December 1, 2007

Primary Completion

August 1, 2008

Study Completion

August 1, 2008

Last Updated

May 2, 2018

Record last verified: 2018-04

Locations

DE(1)