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

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

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

45 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-06-14

Study Completion Date

2025-08-14

Brief Summary

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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.

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Detailed Description

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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

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Spinal Manipulation Neck Pain Non Specific Neck Pain Chiropractic

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

This study is designed as a double-blind, randomized controlled trial involving three groups: the Diversified technique group, the Drop Table application group, and a control group. Although the nature of manual therapy prevents complete blinding of participants, all were only informed that they would receive chiropractic care, without specifying the technique applied. Thus, participants were blinded to the specific intervention type. The practitioners administering the treatments were not blinded due to the need to apply the appropriate technique. However, all outcome assessments were performed by an independent evaluator who was blinded to group allocation and not involved in the intervention process, ensuring objective measurement.

Study Groups

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Diversified Group

Participants in this group will receive chiropractic treatment using the Diversified Technique.

The intervention will be applied twice per week for 4 weeks by a chiropractor. The treatment will focus on cervical spine adjustments targeting areas of joint dysfunction associated with mechanical neck pain.

Each session will last approximately 20 minutes. Standardized protocols will be followed to ensure consistency.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Cervical Spine Manipulation

Intervention Type OTHER

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.

Drop Table Group

Participants in this group will receive chiropractic treatment using the Drop Table Technique.

The intervention will be applied twice per week for 4 weeks by a chiropractor. The treatment will involve high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts delivered with the assistance of a segmented drop table designed to reduce resistance and enhance precision during spinal adjustments.

The focus will be on the cervical spine region related to mechanical neck pain. Each session will last approximately 20 minutes, following standardized protocols to ensure treatment consistency.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Drop Table Technique

Intervention Type OTHER

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.

Control Group

This group did not undergo any interventions.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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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.

Intervention Type 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.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Sign a voluntary informed consent form.
* Be between 18 and 65 years of age.
* Have previously consulted an orthopedist or physical therapist for neck pain.
* Have no contraindications to chiropractic interventions.
* Have no history of cervical surgery.
* Report neck pain lasting longer than 7 days.

Exclusion Criteria

* Are under 18 or over 65 years of age.
* Have experienced cervical trauma within the last month.
* Have any systemic illness.
* Have any contraindication for chiropractic intervention (e.g., brain tumor, cervical fracture).

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes