Neurophysiologic Effects of Cervical Spinal Manipulation in Asymptomatic Individuals

Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto

Status: Completed

Conditions: Healthy Subjects

Treatments: Other: Placebo intervention; Other: Cervical spine mechanical manipulation; Other: Cervical spine manual manipulation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03463343

20122017

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study had the goal of analyse the neurophysiologic effects of both mechanical and manual cervical manipulation, in asymptomatic individuals.

Full description

In this study, the investigators compared the effects of manual manipulation and instrument assisted manipulation of C3/C4 on muscle tone, elasticity and stiffness and on pressure pain threshold , and pressure pain perception. The muscles evaluated were upper trapezius and biceps brachialis, bilaterally. The study also had a placebo and a control group. All individuals were asymptomatic.

Enrollment: 59 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy subjects.
• Minimum of 18 years old.

Exclusion criteria

• Pain in cervical region, shoulders or arms.
• History of trauma or disease in the cervical region or upper limb.
• Use of medication that could affect the outcomes (painkillers, NSAID, or anti depressives) during the last week.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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59 participants in 4 patient groups, including a placebo group

Manual manipulation

Experimental group

Description:

In the Manual manipulation group, the thrust was applied in the right side of C3/C4 with neutral flexion/extension, ipsilateral side bending and contralateral rotation. Then, a low amplitude, high velocity thrust in rotation was delivered.

Treatment:

Other: Cervical spine manual manipulation

Mechanical manipulation

Active Comparator group

Description:

In the Mechanical manipulation group, the Activator instrument was applied on the right transverse apophyses of C3.

Treatment:

Other: Cervical spine mechanical manipulation

Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

The subjects were positioned in the same pre-manipulative position as the manual manipulation group, but the thrust didn't occur. Instead, the position was hold for 3 seconds and then the subject's head returned passively to neutral position.

Treatment:

Other: Placebo intervention

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

The subjects stayed in supine position and no intervention occurred.