NCT06320249

Brief Summary

The evidence for different frequencies of rotation-traction manipulation treatment in cervical radiculopathy is insufficient. This study determined whether 3 sessions per week of rotation-traction manipulation treatment are superior to 1 session per week for symptomatic outcomes in cervical radiculopathy based on a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Trial Health

43
At Risk

Trial Health Score

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

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
216

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Apr 2024

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
not yet recruiting

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

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

February 24, 2024

Completed
25 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

March 20, 2024

Completed
12 days until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

April 1, 2024

Completed
1.1 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

April 30, 2025

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 30, 2025

Completed
Last Updated

March 20, 2024

Status Verified

March 1, 2024

Enrollment Period

1.1 years

First QC Date

February 24, 2024

Last Update Submit

March 15, 2024

Conditions

Keywords

Rotation-traction manipulationCervical radiculopathyTreatment frequencyDose effectRandomized controlled trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • The Visual Analog Scale for Pain

    The Visual Analog Scale for Pain is a tool used to assess the intensity of pain experienced by an individual. It consists of a straight line with "painless" marked at one end and "severe pain" at the other. The individual is asked to mark on the line the point that represents their current level of pain. Painless is represented by 0; 1-3 points represent mild pain; 4-6 points represent moderate pain, which is strong but tolerable; 7-10 points represent severe pain, gradually reaching intolerable level, which is severe pain. The higher score indicates more severe pain.

    4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (28)

  • The Visual Analog Scale for Pain

    2 weeks

  • The Visual Analog Scale for Pain

    8 weeks

  • The Visual Analog Scale for Pain

    12 weeks

  • The Visual Analog Scale for Pain

    16 weeks

  • The Visual Analog Scale for Pain

    20 weeks

  • +23 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (3)

The high-frequency manipulation group

EXPERIMENTAL

In the high-frequency manipulation group, patients will undergo rotation-traction manipulation three times weekly. A total of 12 treatments for four weeks.

Other: High-frequency rotation-traction manipulation

The low-frequency manipulation group

EXPERIMENTAL

In the low-frequency manipulation group, patients will undergo rotation-traction manipulation once time weekly. A total of 4 treatments for four weeks.

Other: Low-frequency rotation-traction manipulation

The cervical traction group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The cervical traction group will be subjected to cervical traction three times a week. A total of 12 treatments for four weeks.

Other: Cervical traction

Interventions

The procedure for rotation-traction manipulation is as follows: The patient is seated, and their neck is allowed to relax. The physician applies massage techniques to relax the muscles around the neck area for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. The patient is then instructed to rotate their head horizontally, flex it, and then rotate it again to its maximum limit while maintaining a sense of fixation. The physician supports the patient's chin with their elbow and gently pulls upward for 3 to 5 seconds. The patient is then asked to fully relax, and the physician applies a quick, short upward traction with the elbow, which may result in audible sounds. Subsequently, massage techniques are applied to further relax the muscles around the neck and shoulders, with each session lasting approximately 10 to 15 minutes. In the high-frequency manipulation group, patients will undergo rotation-traction manipulation three times weekly. A total of 12 treatments for four weeks.

The high-frequency manipulation group

The procedure for rotation-traction manipulation is as follows: The patient is seated, and their neck is allowed to relax. The physician applies massage techniques to relax the muscles around the neck area for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. The patient is then instructed to rotate their head horizontally, flex it, and then rotate it again to its maximum limit while maintaining a sense of fixation. The physician supports the patient's chin with their elbow and gently pulls upward for 3 to 5 seconds. The patient is then asked to fully relax, and the physician applies a quick, short upward traction with the elbow, which may result in audible sounds. Subsequently, massage techniques are applied to further relax the muscles around the neck and shoulders, with each session lasting approximately 10 to 15 minutes. In the low-frequency manipulation group, patients will undergo rotation-traction manipulation once time weekly. A total of 4 treatments for four weeks.

The low-frequency manipulation group

The procedure for cervical traction is as follows: The patient assumes a sitting position, and a cervical traction device with a chin strap is applied. The patient is instructed to slightly flex their head forward, approximately 10-15 degrees, based on their comfort level and symptom relief. Traction force starts at 3 kg and increases gradually in increments of 0.5 kg, with a maximum weight not exceeding 6 kg. The cervical traction group will be subjected to cervical traction three times a week. A total of 12 treatments for four weeks.

The cervical traction group

Eligibility Criteria

Age40 Years - 65 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Conforming to the diagnostic criteria outlined in the 2010 North American Spine Society "An evidence-based clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical radiculopathy from degenerative disorders".
  • Aged between 40 and 65 years.
  • VAS score ≥ 4 points.
  • Duration of the condition ≤ 5 years.
  • Voluntary signature of informed consent form.

You may not qualify if:

  • Combined with other types of cervical spondylosis.
  • Suspected or confirmed cases of cervical spine or intraspinal tumor, or intracranial tumor.
  • Patients with unclear diagnosis of spinal injury or symptoms of spinal cord injury.
  • Patients with developmental spinal canal stenosis (vertebral canal ratio = sagittal diameter of vertebral canal / sagittal diameter of vertebral body \< 0.75).
  • Those suffering from severe heart, lung, brain, liver, kidney, or hematopoietic system diseases.
  • Conditions such as spinal tuberculosis, osteomyelitis, and osteoporosis.
  • Individuals who have undergone cervical spine surgery and those with cervical spine deformities.
  • Pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding women.
  • Participants unable to complete this clinical study due to mental illness, cognitive, or emotional disorders.
  • Those who have participated in other clinical studies in the past 3 months.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100102, China

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Bono CM, Ghiselli G, Gilbert TJ, Kreiner DS, Reitman C, Summers JT, Baisden JL, Easa J, Fernand R, Lamer T, Matz PG, Mazanec DJ, Resnick DK, Shaffer WO, Sharma AK, Timmons RB, Toton JF; North American Spine Society. An evidence-based clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical radiculopathy from degenerative disorders. Spine J. 2011 Jan;11(1):64-72. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2010.10.023.

    PMID: 21168100BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Radiculopathy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Peripheral Nervous System DiseasesNeuromuscular DiseasesNervous System Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Xu Wei, Ph.D

CONTACT

Tianxiao Feng, Ph.D

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Masking Details
This study did not implement blinding for the manipulative therapists and participants. However, blinding procedures were employed for the outcome assessors and data analysts, meaning that they remained unaware of the group.
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

February 24, 2024

First Posted

March 20, 2024

Study Start

April 1, 2024

Primary Completion

April 30, 2025

Study Completion

June 30, 2025

Last Updated

March 20, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-03

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

The researchers do not currently plan to share IPD. Our team is also conducting some other studies on the rotation-traction manipulation. We will consider disseminating our data more openly after the results of these studies are published. However, if other researchers are interested in our research, they can contact the author team to obtain relevant information. Let's work together to contribute to the international dissemination of traditional Chinese medical manipulations.

Locations