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CompletedNCT06396104Updated Jul 8, 2024

Mobilization With Movement Technique on the Stiffness of Cervical Muscles in Individuals With Mechanical Neck Pain

An interventional study of Mobilisation with movement and Sham mobilisation in Neck Pain, sponsored by Istanbul Gelisim University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey. Open to participants aged 20 Years to 50 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-07-08.

Sponsored by Istanbul Gelisim University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Registered 3 months after the study started (first participant enrolled Jan 2024, registered Apr 2024).
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
40
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
20 Years to 50 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Mobilisation with movement (Mulligan Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides (SNAG)). method has been shown to have significant effects on pain, joint range of motion, and functionality in patients with neck pain. However, there is a lack of studies examining the effects of this technique on muscle stiffness associated with neck pain. Considering the immediate effects of a single session of lumbar SNAG application on lumbar muscle stiffness in patients with low back pain, it raises curiosity about the effects it would have on cervical spinal segments and surrounding muscles. The aim of this study is to investigate the immediate effects of Mulligan SNAG application on muscle stiffness, pain, and joint range of motion in patients with mechanical neck pain.

Read the detailed description

This study is designed as a parallel double-blind randomized controlled trial. Patients will be divided into two groups: the Mobilization with Movement Group (MMG) and the Sham Group (SG). The MMG will receive cervical mobilization (SNAG) treatment. The SG, on the other hand, will receive active joint movements without the 'sliding' motion applied to the spinal segment. Prior to and immediately after the intervention, participants will undergo myometric evaluation of neck muscles, joint range of motion measurements, and pressure pain threshold measurements bilaterally, followed by assessment of the individual's pain and level of disability using questionnaires related to pain and pain-associated disability. A 2-minute break will be provided after the intervention before reassessment is conducted. Patients will not be followed up.

02

Conditions studied

  • Neck Pain

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Keywords

  • Neck Pain
  • Manual Therapy
  • Sham Treatment
03

In context

Neck Pain

1,232 studies on the registry are indexed under Neck Pain; 254 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 40 is below the median of 52 across 1,004 interventional studies indexed under Neck Pain.

Browse Neck Pain studies →

Lead sponsor

Istanbul Gelisim University is the lead sponsor of 59 studies on the registry; 7 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
20 Years to 50 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Having widespread neck pain lasting more than 3 months
  • Pain symptoms that increase with neck movements or palpation
  • Volunteering to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of neck trauma
  • Previous cervical surgery
  • Cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy
  • Fibromyalgia syndrome diagnosis
  • Any physiotherapy intervention in the previous 12 months
  • Sign of vertebrobasilar insufficiency
  • Upper cervical spine ligament instability
  • Those using steroids or muscle relaxants
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double (Participant, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
40 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Mobilization with movement group

    Other: Mobilisation with movement

  • Sham comparator
    Sham group

    Other: Sham mobilisation

Interventions

  • OtherMobilisation with movement

    The physiotherapist places the medial edge of the thumb of one hand on the upper facet joint of the relevant segment, then applies superior-anterior slide to the facet joint by providing support with the thumb of the other hand. The 'gliding' movement is maintained while the patient actively performs the unilateral neck rotation movement and maintains it for a few seconds at the end of the movement. If joint movement is painful, attempts are made on the other facet joint of the same segment or on the spinous process. If this attempt does not immediately improve the patient's active joint motion, Mulligan Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides (SNAG) will be applied to the upper part of the left zygapophysial joint, and in case of failure again, application will be made through the superior spinous process of the relevant segment. Painless joint movement will be applied in 6 repetitions and 3 sets.

  • OtherSham mobilisation

    While the patients are sitting in a chair with a supported back, the spinal segment where pain is felt in neck joint movements will be determined. Without applying a sliding movement to this segment over the facet joint, only sensory input will be given and the patient will be asked to continue the active rotation movement and wait a few seconds at the end of the movement. The application will be completed as 6 repetitions and 3 sets.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Muscle stiffness

    Muscle stiffness will be measured with MyotonPRO (Myoton SA, Tallinn, Estonia). A brief mechanical pulse is applied to the skin over the muscle and then quickly released. Stiffness (N/m) is a parameter related to the capacity to withstand an external force. The reliability of the device has been proven in healthy individuals.The measurement site will be marked on the skin with a pen. In all applications, MyotonPRO's probe will be placed perpendicular to the skin and 3 measurements will be recorded using the multi-scanning mode with 10 pulses 1 second apart, and the average of the 3 measurements will be used for analysis. Upper trapezius: Evaluation will be performed in prone position. Measurements are from the midpoint between the lateral edge of the acromion and the spinous process of C7. Sternocleidomastoid: Measurements will be made at the midpoint between the sternum and the mastoid protrusion, with individuals lying in a supine position with a soft pillow under the neck.

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after application.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Joint Range of Motion

    An dual digital inclinometer (ACUMAR Model 002; Lafayette Instrument Company, Lafayette, Indiana) will be used to measure cervical rotation. The device consists of two simple digital inclinometers connected to each other with the help of cables. Measured joint range of motions are displayed on the screen on the digital inclinometer.

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after application.

  2. Numeric Pain Rating Scale

    Pain intensity of patients with neck pain will be obtained with the Numerical Rating Scale, which is reported to be a reliable and valid scale in determining pain intensity in the literature. In the scale, 0 indicates no pain and 100 indicates unbearable pain.

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after application.

  3. Neck Disability Index

    Neck Disability Index (NDI) was used to evaluate the level of disability due to neck pain, which is a reliable and valid scale to determine the disability level of patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. NDI consists of 10 sections: pain intensity, personal care, weight lifting, reading, headaches, concentration, working, driving, sleep, and recreation. The score in each section varies between 0 (no disability) and 5 (complete disability). The total score ranges from 0 (no disability) to 50 (complete disability).

    Time frame: Baseline

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Istanbul Kent University
    Istanbul, 34320, Turkey
08

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jul 8, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06396104
Lead sponsor
Istanbul Gelisim University
Collaborators
Istanbul Kent University, Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa, Istanbul Demiroglu Bilim University
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
May 2, 2024
Start date
Jan 10, 2024
Primary completion
Jun 15, 2024
Completion
Jun 30, 2024
Last update
Jul 8, 2024

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Apr 2024. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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