Effectiveness of Physiotherapy Following PRP for Chronic Whiplash
Effectiveness of Conservative Multimodal Physiotherapy in Chronic Whiplash-associated Disorders With Facet-mediated Pain Undergoing Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment: a Series of Single Case Experimental Designs (SCEDs).
1 other identifier
interventional
6
1 country
1
Brief Summary
The investigators will explore a standardized and previously published evidence-based conservative multimodal physiotherapy treatment fulfilling clinical practice guidelines in individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) with facet-mediated pain (appropriate response to dual medial branch blocks) undergoing cervical facet joint Plasma-Rich Platelet (PRPt) and compare health outcomes to individuals' undergoing cervical facet joint PRP with usual care (PRPu), which consists of advice, supervised home exercise and pharmacological management for treatment of residual pain. To be clear, the investigators are not investigating the efficacy or effectiveness of cervical facet joint PRP - these individuals have already consented to proceed with PRP treatment. The investigators are evaluating the role of adjuvant conservative multimodal physiotherapy treatment. It must be noted that these patients have previously failed to respond to conservative physiotherapy. The investigators will use a design which is quite novel in physiotherapy, Single Case Experimental Designs (SCEDs). In contrast to an experimental group design in which one group is compared with another, participants in single-subject research provide their own control data for the purpose of comparison in a within-subject rather than a between-subjects design. SCEDs provide a method to determine response and benefit for every individual patient. Therefore, the investigators will assess effectiveness of conservative multimodal physiotherapy for chronic WAD with facet-mediated pain undergoing cervical facet joint PRP, using patients as their own control, in a multiple baseline design.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at below P25 for not_applicable
Started Mar 2019
Typical duration for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
March 4, 2019
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
April 11, 2019
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
May 14, 2019
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
October 18, 2021
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
October 18, 2021
CompletedNovember 3, 2021
October 1, 2021
2.6 years
April 11, 2019
November 2, 2021
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (2)
Pain, Enjoyment of Life and General Activity (PEG)
PEG measures average neck pain intensity (P), interference with enjoyment of life (E), and interference with general activity (G) on the continuous numeric rating scale (NRS) of 0 to 10 during the last 24 hours (Krebs et al., 2009).
12 weeks
Self-efficacy whilst performing daily activities in chronic WAD.
This question will ask participants to identify "how confident are you in your ability to perform your daily tasks in the presence of your neck pain or disability?" with 1 indicating not at all confident; 2 indicating a little confident 3 indicating moderately confident; 4 very confident and 5 indicating extremely confident.
12 weeks
Secondary Outcomes (5)
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Up to 11 days + 12 weeks
Patient Global Impression of Change (-3 to +3 scale)
Up to 11 days + 12 weeks
Depression & Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21)
Up to 11 days + 12 weeks
The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)
Up to 11 days + 12 weeks
Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form (SF-12)
Up to 11 days + 12 weeks
Study Arms (2)
Physiotherapy (PRPt)
EXPERIMENTALThe 6-week exercise program (2 sessions in each of weeks 1-4 and 1 session in each of weeks 5 and 6) will comprise specific individually-tailored exercises to improve the movement and control of the neck and shoulder girdle. The exercises will be of a low load nature and designed to be pain free. At the same time, the physiotherapist will provide pragmatic multimodal physiotherapy to facilitate ability to pursue exercises and guide the participant's return to normal activities. This specific treatment program has been described in detail (Jull et al., 2008; Ritchie et al., 2015b) and focuses on activating and improving the coordination and endurance capacity of the neck flexor, extensor and scapular muscles in specific exercises and functional tasks. Participants will also perform the exercises at home, once per day. Written and illustrated exercise instructions will be provided. The exercise program follows Australian guidelines for the management of chronic whiplash (TRACsa, 2008).
Wait and See (PRPu)
NO INTERVENTIONIndividuals randomized to usual care will be provided with an advice booklet Whiplash Injury Recovery: A Self Help Guide (MAIC, Qld, 2nd edition). It provides information about whiplash; assurance about prognosis; advice to stay active and resume working as well as information on correct posture; pictorial descriptions of specific exercises for the neck and upper limbs and information on resuming functional daily activities. The booklet is based on the recommendations of the current Australian Guidelines for Whiplash Management (SIRA, 2014). Usual care involves a 'wait and see' approach (in combination with provision of home exercises) and will include weekly review appointments with a medical doctor, primarily to review the information in the booklet and progress the 'general' exercises and activity recommendations within the booklet. No hands-on physiotherapy will be provided. Education regarding PRP and associated healing cycles will also be provided during this time period.
Interventions
Participants will undertake their usual activities for the 5, 8 or 11 day baseline period following PRP. Participants will begin the 6 week intervention period following this period during which time they will participate in 10 sessions with an experienced postgraduate physiotherapist. After these 6-weeks, participants will have no contact with intervention personnel during the 6-week follow-up period.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Individuals with Grade II Whiplash Associated Disorder with \> 80% relief of familiar neck pain after dual medial branch blocks
- \> 12 weeks since injury and failed to respond to previous (\> 6 weeks) conservative treatment
- Neck pain on numerical pain rating scale ≥ 4/10
- Neck Disability Index \> 28%
You may not qualify if:
- Presence of dizziness symptoms
- Known or suspected serious spinal pathology (e.g. metastatic disease of the spine);
- Confirmed fracture or dislocation at time of injury (i.e., WAD Grade IV)
- Nerve root compromise (i.e., WAD Grade III)
- Spinal surgery in the past 12 months; and
- History of any mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, anxiety, PTSD or severe depression
- Inability to stop taking anti-inflammatory medications for 3-days prior to, or 10-days following PRP
- Unable to understand +/- complete validated questionnaire items in English
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
Vivo Cura Health
Calgary, Alberta, T2E2P5, Canada
Related Publications (51)
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BACKGROUND
Related Links
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Ashley Smith, PhD
University of Calgary
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- SINGLE
- Who Masked
- PARTICIPANT
- Masking Details
- Participant is not made aware of intervention arm - treat as usual or physiotherapy. Radiologist providing PRP tells participant to refrain from treatment for 6-weeks, or to immediately commence physiotherapy.
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- SEQUENTIAL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- SPONSOR
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
April 11, 2019
First Posted
May 14, 2019
Study Start
March 4, 2019
Primary Completion
October 18, 2021
Study Completion
October 18, 2021
Last Updated
November 3, 2021
Record last verified: 2021-10
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share