NCT07034144

Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain: Comparing Diversified Technique and Drop Table Method

Comparison of Chiropractic Diversified Technique and Drop Table Application in Patients With Neck Pain

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 45 (estimated)
• Sponsor: SEFA HAKTAN HATIK · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study aims to compare the effects of two different chiropractic techniques, Diversified and Drop Table, on pain levels, cervical joint range of motion, and neck muscle strength in individuals with non-specific neck pain.

Detailed description

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of two chiropractic techniques - the Diversified Technique and the Drop Table Technique - in individuals with mechanical neck pain. Mechanical neck pain is a common musculoskeletal condition associated with impaired cervical mobility, pain, and reduced quality of life. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three arms: (1) Diversified Technique group, (2) Drop Table Technique group, and (3) control group with no intervention. The interventions will be administered twice per week for four weeks by a chiropractor following standardized protocols. All participants will undergo evaluations at baseline and at the end of the 4-week intervention period. The primary outcome measure is pain intensity and quality, assessed using the full version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), which evaluates sensory, affective, and evaluative components of pain. Secondary outcomes include cervical range of motion (CROM) and isometric neck muscle strength, measured with a goniometer and handheld dynamometer, respectively. This study seeks to provide evidence on the comparative clinical effectiveness of two widely used chiropractic techniques for neck pain management. The findings may guide clinicians in selecting appropriate manual therapy approaches for patients with non-specific mechanical neck pain.

Conditions

• Spinal Manipulation
• Neck Pain
• Non Specific Neck Pain
• Chiropractic

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Drop Table Technique	The Drop Table Technique is a chiropractic intervention that utilizes a segmented treatment table with adjustable sections that can be elevated slightly and then dropped. During the procedure, a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust is applied while the specific segment of the table drops slightly in coordination with the thrust. This technique aims to reduce the resistance experienced during the adjustment and to enhance the mechanical effect on targeted spinal joints. In this study, the Drop Table Technique will be specifically applied to the cervical spine to address mechanical neck pain. All applications will be performed by a licensed chiropractor using standardized positioning and adjustment protocols to ensure consistency across sessions.
OTHER	Cervical Spine Manipulation	Cervical spinal manipulation (SM) will be applied with the participant supine to restrictions found on motion palpation, following the technique described by Bergmann and Peterson. The participant's head and neck will be simultaneously rotated and laterally flexed over the contact point-specifically, the posterior supramastoid groove or zygomatic arch (C0-C1), the posterior aspect of the transverse process (C1-C2), or the posterior articular pillar of superior vertebrae (C2-C7)-to the end of passive range of motion (ROM). Subsequently, a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust will be delivered in the direction of restricted movement. Participants with greater ROM restriction in the lateral plane will receive more laterally-to-medially directed thrusts. Participants with more restriction in rotation will be given thrusts in the direction of restricted axial rotation, and those with more restriction in extension will receive more anteriorly directed thrusts.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-06-14
• Primary completion: 2025-07-14
• Completion: 2025-08-14
• First posted: 2025-06-24
• Last updated: 2025-06-24

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)