Validating a Clinical Prediction Rule to Guide Manual Therapy and Exercise for Neck Pain Relief in 140 Participants With Neck Pain

NCT ID: NCT06906107

Last Updated: 2025-06-18

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

140 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-06-01

Study Completion Date

2026-12-31

Brief Summary

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Neck pain is a common issue that can lead to long-term disability and lost work time for many individuals. Despite numerous studies, finding effective treatment strategies has been challenging. One possible reason for this is that treatments may not have been tested on the specific groups of people who would benefit most. A method was developed to identify people with neck pain who are likely to see significant improvements from a manipulation technique used by physical therapists, called cervical spine thrust joint manipulation. The investigators believe that patients identified as likely responders to cervical spine manipulation will show greater improvements in disability. The investigators aim to test whether this method works with different patients and therapists across the country through a multicenter randomized clinical trial. In this study, 140 patients with primary complaints of neck pain will be enrolled from 20 clinical sites. Designed with stringent criteria for inclusion, this study is a testament to our commitment to participant safety and the effectiveness of the treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) one group will receive 2 sessions of cervical spine manipulation followed by 3 sessions of exercise, and (2) the other group will receive 2 sessions of gentle hands-on treatment followed by 3 sessions of exercise. The primary goal is to measure changes in disability 4 weeks after starting treatment, with follow-ups after one week, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months to assess both immediate and long-term effects. By providing crucial data on the reliability of our method in identifying patients who will benefit most from cervical spine manipulation, this study has the potential to significantly enhance decision-making leading to rapid improvement. Results from this study will provide clearer guidelines on the optimal use of cervical spine manipulation, potentially revolutionizing the way patients recover from neck pain.

Detailed Description

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This study's primary objective will examine whether a previously derived clinical prediction rule (CPR) exhibits validity for identifying a subgroup of patients who respond favorably to cervical thrust joint manipulation (C-TJM). The secondary objective will determine if patients who are positive on the derived CPR and receive C-TJM will exhibit reduced downstream healthcare costs. This multicenter randomized clinical trial will enroll 140 patients with primary complaints of neck pain. Participants will be randomized into two groups: (1) 2 sessions of C-TJM followed by 3 sessions of stretching and strengthening exercises, and (2) 2 sessions of low-grade mobilizations followed by 3 sessions of the same stretching and strengthening exercises. The primary outcome is the change in disability measured four weeks post-treatment, with pain as the secondary outcome. Follow-up assessments will occur at one week, 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months to evaluate both short-term and long-term effects. The exact inclusion and exclusion criteria from the CPR derivation study will be used within this validation study to determine participant eligibility. Data will be collected using standardized self-report measures and physical examination, and statistical analyses will be performed using a linear mixed model with repeated measures. The investigators hypothesize that patients identified by the clinical prediction rule to benefit from C-TJM will show substantial improvements in disability and pain. This study will offer valuable insight into the effectiveness of C-TJM for neck pain. Successful validation of the clinical prediction rule could lead to more efficient and cost-effective patient care, potentially reducing the burden of neck pain on healthcare systems and improving patient outcomes. As PI, responsibilities include protocol development, training, data collection, analysis, manuscript development and dissemination of findings.

Conditions

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Neck Pain Musculoskeletal Neck Pain Treatment Cervicalgia

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors
The initial investigator performing the baseline assessment is masked to the treatment. The investigator performing the treatment is masked to the initial investigator's assessment of the patient's categorization on the clinical prediction rule. The outcome assessor is masked to the intervention received and status on the clinical prediction rule.

Study Groups

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Cervical Manipulation

Patients will receive cervical manipulation on 2 visits, followed by 3 visits of therapeutic exercise.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Cervical Manipulation

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

High velocity low amplitude thrust joint manipulation to the cervical spine facet joints

Exercise

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Therapeutic exercises to the cervical, thoracic, and scapular musculature

Exercise and Mobilizations

Patients will receive low-grade cervical mobilizations on 2 visits, followed by 3 visits of therapeutic exercises

Group Type OTHER

Exercise

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Therapeutic exercises to the cervical, thoracic, and scapular musculature

Mobilization

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Low velocity, low amplitude movements applied to the cervical spine facet joints (Grade I or II)

Interventions

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Cervical Manipulation

High velocity low amplitude thrust joint manipulation to the cervical spine facet joints

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Exercise

Therapeutic exercises to the cervical, thoracic, and scapular musculature

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Mobilization

Low velocity, low amplitude movements applied to the cervical spine facet joints (Grade I or II)

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Ages 18 to 70
* Primary complaint of neck pain with or without unilateral upper extremity symptoms
* Neck Disability Index (NDI) score of 10 or greater
* Numeric Pain Rating Scale score of 2 or greater

Exclusion Criteria

* History of whiplash injury within the past 6 weeks
* Diagnosis of cervical spinal stenosis
* Bilateral upper extremity symptoms
* Red flags noted in the patient's Neck Medical Screening Questionnaire (i.e. tumor, fracture, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, severe atherosclerosis, dizziness, diplopia, drop attacks, bilateral numbness, nausea, prolonged history of steroid use)
* Evidence of central nervous system involvement, to include hyperreflexia, sensory disturbances in the hand, intrinsic muscle wasting of the hands, unsteadiness during walking, nystagmus, loss of visual acuity, impaired sensation of the face, altered taste, the presence of pathological reflexes (i.e. positive Hoffman's and/or Babinski reflexes)
* Two or more positive neurological signs consistent with significant nerve root compression, including any two of the following:

1. Muscle weakness involving a major muscle group of the upper extremity
2. Diminished upper extremity muscle stretch reflex (biceps, triceps, or brachioradialis)
3. Diminished or absent sensation to pinprick or light touch in any upper extremity dermatome
* Prior neck surgery
* Current pregnancy, pregnancy within 6 months, or currently lactating
* Pending legal action pertaining to their neck pain
* Inability to read English at the 8th grade reading level
* Inability to legally provide informed consent for any other reason
* Inability to comply with the treatment and follow-up schedule
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

70 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Foundation for Physical Therapy Research

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Baylor University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Jessica Feda

Clinical Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Jessica T Feda, DSc

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Baylor University

Emilio J Puentedura, PhD

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Baylor University

Locations

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ActivePT

Rochester, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

PROActivePT

Syracuse, New York, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

ActiveTherapy Alliance

Waco, Texas, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Jessica T Feda, DSc

Role: CONTACT

5079906446

Tiffany L Barrett, DSc

Role: CONTACT

702-321-2144

Facility Contacts

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Jessica Feda, DSc

Role: primary

507-990-6446

Jake Hoeppner, DPT

Role: backup

507-322-3460

Kyle R Adams, DSc

Role: primary

315-807-8160

Dan Gridley, DPT

Role: backup

315-458-2552

Tiffany Barrett, DSc

Role: primary

254-457-8654

Erika Sutton, DPT

Role: backup

254-300-1941

References

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Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol, Statistical Analysis Plan, and Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

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2240854-1

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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