Real-time Ultrasound Imaging as Feedback for Deep Cervical Extensors Activation

University of Valencia

Status and phase

Unknown

Phase 3

Phase 2

Conditions

Neck Disorder

Treatments

Other: DCE + RUSI feedback about performance

Other: DCE without RUSI feedback

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT04201483

1574447392087

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study will be to determine the value of adding real-time ultrasound imaging (RUSI) as an external feedback tool for teaching the contraction of the deep cervical extensors (DCE) in healthy subjects. The potential benefit of RUSI to facilitate activation of the DCE during a specific motor task as well as the retention capacity of this motor task after a short period of training will be investigated

Full description

Participants will be randomly allocated into two exercise groups: "DCE exercise without RUSI feedback (DCE)" and "DCE exercise with RUSI feedback (DCE+RUSI)".

Participants assigned to DCE will perform an exercise known to selectively activate the semispinalis cervicis muscles. By the other hand, participants in the DCE+RUSI group will perform the same exercise as the DCE group to selectively activate the semispinalis cervicis muscle but receiving RUSI feedback about correct performance. In both groups, a total of 10 sets of 10 repetitions will be performed with one minute of rest between each set.

Ultrasound measurement will be used to asses the antero-posterior dimension (thickness) of the DCE both at rest and during contraction at the level of C4 at baseline, immediately after the DCE exercise activation protocol and one-week follow-up in order to evaluate retention capacity.

All participants will be asked to not perform any other cervical motor control exercise or exercise using RUSI feedback until the last time point assessment will be finished.

All participants will be asked to avoid any exercises or treatments for neck pain between sessions.

All ultrasound images will be analysed off-line using Image J software. Thickness and percent thickness change will be measured. The percent thickness change will be calculated by using the following equation: thickness contracted - thickness rest / thickness rest.

Enrollment

30 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 55 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

No actual neck pain
Being able to understand Spanish language

Exclusion criteria

Neck pain in the last 3 months
Previous surgery in the neck region
Neurological diseases or any other condition that may alter voluntary muscle contraction
Previous experience with cervical motor control training exercises
Previous experience using RUSI as an external feedback tool in any other body area