Effectiveness of an Intervention Plan Aimed at the Diaphragm in Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain

Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Chronic Neck Pain

Treatments: Other: Placebo technique; Other: Diaphragm protocol

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06377995

OST1_013

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to analyse the effectiveness of an intervention plan targeting the diaphragm, namely stretching technique, neuromuscular diaphragm and phrenic centre inhibition, in the treatment of chronic non-specific neck pain.

Full description

Chronic neck pain is defined as pain and discomfort between the superior nuchal line and the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra, which may radiate to the scapula, anterior chest wall, skull or upper limbs. It is classified as chronic if the pain persists for more than 12 weeks. Associated symptoms include headache, dizziness and pain or paresthesia in the upper limbs. These symptoms interfere with daily life and have a negative impact on physical and mental health.

The aetiology of this pathology is multifactorial and the triggering factors may vary due to the close relationship that the cervical spine has with other structures, namely the diaphragm muscle.

Our aim is to verify the effectiveness of an osteopathic treatment protocol targeting the diaphragm in chronic non-specific neck pain in young adults. Specifically, to analyse whether the mechanical, fascial and neural pathways established by the defined manual techniques, namely stretching techniques, neuromuscular inhibition of the diaphragm and the phrenic centre, have any effect on active movements (rotations and inclinations) and chronic neck pain.

This study will analyse the effects of diaphragmatic techniques on the following variables: Numerical Pain Scale and Goniometer Pro© (G-pro©).

Enrollment: 45 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 35 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Present a negative Jackson test;
• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 20-29.9 kg/m2;
• Suffer from chronic non-specific neck pain for 3 months or more.

Exclusion criteria

• Have a history of cervical spine surgery, as well as any trauma or fracture of the cervical spine, clavicle, scapula and ribs;
• Have specific neck pain due to degenerative diseases (disc prolapse, scoliosis);
• Having a congenital cervical deformity, such as torticollis;
• Being pregnant;
• Having rheumatic, oncological or respiratory pathologies;
• Have liver or gallbladder pathologies;
• Receiving physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture or massage treatment for neck pain 3 months before and during participation in the study;
• Taking analgesics, anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxants 5 days prior to the intervention.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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45 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Placebo Comparator: Control group

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Participants in the control group first rate their pain from 0 to 10 using the Numerical Pain Scale, at rest and at the end of the available range of lateral flexion and rotation. The amplitude of these movements is then assessed using a Goniometer Pro© (G-pro©). This assessment takes 10 minutes. After the initial assessment, the researcher performs the placebo technique, which lasts 12 minutes. Finally, the initial assessment is carried out again.

Treatment:

Other: Placebo technique

Experimental: Diaphragm protocol

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in the experimental group first rate their pain from 0 to 10 using the Numerical Pain Scale, at rest and at the end of the available range of lateral flexion and rotation. The amplitude of these movements is then assessed using a Goniometer Pro© (G-pro©). This assessment takes 10 minutes. After the initial assessment, the researcher performs the diaphragm stretching, neuromuscular and phrenic centre inhibition technique; this treatment protocol lasts 12 minutes. Finally, the initial assessment is carried out again

Treatment:

Other: Diaphragm protocol