Evaluating Therapeutic Massage for Chronic Neck Pain

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2; Phase 1

Conditions: Cervicalgia; Neck Pain

Treatments: Procedure: massage

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: NIH

Identifiers

NCT00065416

R21AT001584-01

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will provide the basis for a full-scale trial to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of therapeutic massage for chronic neck pain (CNP).

Full description

Neck pain is one of the most common problems affecting the health of Americans and is a leading reason for using complementary or alternative medical (CAM) therapies. Therapeutic massage is one of the most popular CAM treatments for neck pain, but little is known about its effectiveness. This study will lay the groundwork for a full-scale trial that evaluates the effectiveness of therapeutic massage for chronic neck pain.

The study will involve two phases. During Phase I, researchers will develop and pre-test key components for a randomized clinical trial. In Phase II, the safety and efficacy of massage for CNP will be evaluated. The changes in symptoms, function, and quality of life in massage and self care groups will be evaluated midway through treatment, at the end of treatment and at 6 months post randomization.

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 64 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

The inclusion and exclusion criteria will be developed through consultation with a medical expert on neck pain and several massage consultants