Muscle Energy Techniques and Self-Stretching in Nonspecific Neck Pain

NCT06199063 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: NeckPain-METSS-35
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 39
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Non-specific neck pain (NSNP) is defined as pain not associated with neurological and specific pathologies in the posterior and lateral part of the neck between the superior nuchal line and the first thoracic vertebra. Many conservative treatment modalities including different exercise techniques are used in the treatment of NSNP. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the effect of these techniques.

Conditions

Nonspecific Neck Pain; Exercise

Keywords

Neck Pain; Muscle Stretching Exercise; Electromyography; Range of Motion; Pain Threshold

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Assessment of Pain Severity

  Pain severity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The VAS is a subjective pain scale in which the intensity of pain is rated 0-10 cm on a horizontal line. "0" refers to "no pain, while "10" refers to worst pain.

  Before and up to 4 weeks

• Assessment of Pressure Pain Threshold

  The Wagner digital algometer (Wagner Instruments) was used to measure the pressure pain threshold (PPT). Trigger points in the upper trapezius and cervical paravertebral muscles were palpated and the most painful trigger points were marked as four separate points on the right and left. The algometer was placed perpendicular to the trigger points and the pressure was increased until the first moment when the patient felt pain and the probe was withdrawn with the expression "I felt it/OK". At this point, the PPT value in Newton read from the algometer was recorded in three repetitions.

  Before and up to 4 weeks

• Assessment of Range of Motion

  The subjects' neck ROMs were recorded in degrees by measuring the degrees of flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation three times with a manual goniometer while sitting upright in a chair.

  Before and up to 4 weeks

• Assessment of Muscle Activation

  Muscle activation was assessed with a MegaWin WBA eight-channel EMG device. Superficial EMG electrodes were placed on the upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, right and left. A total of 4 outputs were used, 2 muscles on each side. Myoelectric signals were obtained, and muscular contraction and inhibition were assessed. Additionally, the "IC/MVIC" percentage was calculated to determine the workload on the muscle during the activity.

  Before and up to 4 weeks

Study Arms (3)

Self-Stretching Exercises Group (SSEG)

EXPERIMENTAL

Self-stretching (SS) is defined as stretching applied by the individual to himself/herself. For this application, firstly the painful area was determined, and stretching was applied to the muscle with pain. Firstly, the participant stood with his/her arm free on the side to be stretched and lateral flexed his/her head. With his/her other hand, he/she applied 10 seconds of stretching in the direction of lateral flexion, a 10-second rest period was given between each stretching, and this method was performed with a total of 10 repetitions.

Other: Self-Streching Exercises

Post-Isometric Relaxation Exercises Group (PIREG)

EXPERIMENTAL

Post-isometric relaxation (PIR) was performed by a physiotherapist in a supine position. The physiotherapist sat on the head side of the patient. The painful side was determined, and the physiotherapist fixed the head with his/her hand and performed 50% voluntary isometric contraction of the painful muscle for 10 seconds. Then, the physiotherapist asked the patient to relax and stretch for 10 seconds to lateral flexion. This method was 10 repetitions with 10 seconds of rest between each repetition.

Other: Post-Isometric Relaxation Exercises

Reciprocal-Inhibition Exercises Group (RIEG)

EXPERIMENTAL

Reciprocal inhibition (RI) was applied by a physiotherapist in a supine position. The physiotherapist sat on the head side of the patient. The painful side was determined, and the physiotherapist fixed the head with his/her hand and performed 50% voluntary isometric contraction of the antagonist of the painful muscle for 10 seconds. Then physiotherapist asked the patient to relax and stretch for 10 seconds in the lateral flexion direction. This method was 10 repetitions and there were 10 seconds of rest between each repetition.

Other: Reciprocal-Inhibiton Exercises

Interventions

Self-Streching Exercises OTHER

The participants in the SSE group; received 1 session SSE with 10 repetitions, about 30 min. The assessments were applied before and after the session.

Also known as: SSE

Self-Stretching Exercises Group (SSEG)

Post-Isometric Relaxation Exercises OTHER

The participants in the PIRE group; received 1 session PIRE with 10 repetitions, about 30 min. The assessments were applied before and after the session.

Also known as: PIRE

Post-Isometric Relaxation Exercises Group (PIREG)

Reciprocal-Inhibiton Exercises OTHER

The participants in the RIE group; received 1 session RIE with 10 repetitions, about 30 min. The assessments were applied before and after the session.

Also known as: RIE

Reciprocal-Inhibition Exercises Group (RIEG)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 67 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Being 18 years or older
• Being a volunteer to participate into the study
• Not having diagnosed orthopedic and neurological problems
• Having Neck pain for at least four months

You may not qualify if:

• Having diagnosed with active infectious pathology
• Having cervical spine fracture/previous cervical or thoracic surgery
• Having a history of severe trauma to the cervical spine
• Having a history of malignant tumors
• Having diagnosed with structural deformity
• Being used of a medical orthopaedic prosthesis
• Having a pacemaker
• Having diagnosed with disc prolapse

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Izmir Democracy University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Izmir Democracy University

Izmir, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity; Neck Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Betul Taspinar, Prof. Dr.

  Izmir Democracy University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Study Director

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 30, 2023
• First Posted: January 10, 2024
• Study Start: February 4, 2023
• Primary Completion: April 14, 2023
• Study Completion: July 4, 2023
• Last Updated: January 10, 2024

Record last verified: 2023-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)