NCT06959160

Comparison of the Immediate Effects of Manual Therapy Techniques in Non-Specific Neck Pain

Comparison of the Immediate Effects of Manual Therapy Techniques on Joint Range of Motion, Grip Strength, Pressure Pain Threshold, and Functionality in Non-Specific Neck Pain

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 39 (actual)
• Sponsor: Halic University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of manual therapy techniques on joint range of motion, pain tolerance, grip strength, and functionality in individuals with non-specific neck pain. The study is experimental in design. Individuals aged between 18 and 55 who were diagnosed with non-specific neck pain and met the inclusion criteria participated in the study.

Detailed description

Participants who agreed to take part and signed the informed consent form were asked to complete the "Patient Assessment Form" during the initial interview. In addition, the following assessment tools were used: the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device to evaluate joint range of motion, a hand dynamometer to assess grip strength, an algometer to measure pain tolerance, and the "Neck Disability Index" to evaluate functionality. Participants were then randomly assigned to one of three groups: Group 1: Atlanto-occipital manipulation Group 2: Cervical mobilization Group 3: Trigger point therapy Participants in the first group received atlanto-occipital manipulation, those in the second group underwent Grade II-III mobilization techniques, and those in the third group received trigger point therapy, which consisted of ischemic compression followed by myofascial stretching on the upper trapezius muscle. Immediately after the treatments, joint range of motion, pain tolerance, and functionality were reassessed. The manual therapy interventions for all three groups were performed by different specialized physiotherapists trained in these techniques. The evaluations, however, were conducted by another physiotherapist who was blinded to the treatments (double-blind study). The data were statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences program, and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Conditions

• Manual Therapies
• Neck Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Atlanto-occipital manipulation	Participants in the first group received atlanto-occipital manipulation. The patient was positioned in a supine position, with the head rotated to one side. The therapist placed the middle and ring fingers of one hand on the patient's mastoid process, while the palm of the other hand made contact with the patient's jawline and cheek. A gentle traction force was applied to the cranial region using both hands. When the therapist sensed joint tension, a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust was delivered in the direction of the traction with a slight rotational force. The procedure was performed bilaterally and lasted approximately 5 minutes.
OTHER	Cervical mobilization	Participants in the second group underwent Grade II-III cervical mobilization techniques, administered over a period of 10 minutes. The patient was positioned in a supine position, and the physiotherapist performed 10 minutes of Grade II-III mobilizations with an upward and downward incline (postero-anterior and antero-posterior mobilizations following the movement plane of the cervical zygapophyseal joints).
OTHER	Trigger point therapy	Participants in the third group received trigger point therapy, which included ischemic compression followed by myofascial stretching on the upper trapezius muscle. The patient was positioned in a supine position, and the physiotherapist performed 10 minutes of Grade II-III mobilizations with an upward and downward incline (postero-anterior and antero-posterior mobilizations following the movement plane of the cervical zygapophyseal joints).

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-09-15
• Primary completion: 2024-12-30
• Completion: 2025-01-10
• First posted: 2025-05-06
• Last updated: 2025-08-03

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)