The Effects of Thoracic Spine Mobilizations in Individuals With Neck Pain.
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Orthopedic, Pain |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Musculoskeletal, Orthopedics / Podiatry |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 60 |
| Updated: | 10/29/2017 |
| Start Date: | January 2015 |
| End Date: | December 2018 |
| Contact: | Steve Karas, DSc |
| Email: | skaras@chatham.edu |
| Phone: | 412 365 2798 |
To determine the affects of Physical Therapists clinical reasoning using thoracic spine
mobilization for neck pain compared to a standard protocol.
mobilization for neck pain compared to a standard protocol.
The purpose of this research is to compare the effects of two commonly used, safe, thoracic
spine treatments: grade 1-4 as performed by Cleland et. al. and grade 1-4 mobilization to the
thoracic spine as selected by the Physical Therapist for cervical spine pain. The immediate
effects of thoracic spine mobilization have been shown to facilitate greater range of motion
increases in the cervical spine and greater pain decreases within a treatment session and on
follow-up visits. There is no research utilizing pain threshold perception as an objective
outcome of these treatments. Only one study compared the two treatment techniques and
concluded that future research should be completed which includes manual therapy for the
thoracic spine. (Cleland 2007) If the PT identifies an appropriate patient they will ask if
they are interested in being a research subject. The Physical Theapist recruiting subjects
all have completed their Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree and have advanced training in
manual Physical Therapy. The techniques employed are considered standard practice and are
defined as entry level skills by the Comission of Accredicdation of Physical Therapy
Programs. These techniques are typically taught in DPT degree programs.
spine treatments: grade 1-4 as performed by Cleland et. al. and grade 1-4 mobilization to the
thoracic spine as selected by the Physical Therapist for cervical spine pain. The immediate
effects of thoracic spine mobilization have been shown to facilitate greater range of motion
increases in the cervical spine and greater pain decreases within a treatment session and on
follow-up visits. There is no research utilizing pain threshold perception as an objective
outcome of these treatments. Only one study compared the two treatment techniques and
concluded that future research should be completed which includes manual therapy for the
thoracic spine. (Cleland 2007) If the PT identifies an appropriate patient they will ask if
they are interested in being a research subject. The Physical Theapist recruiting subjects
all have completed their Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree and have advanced training in
manual Physical Therapy. The techniques employed are considered standard practice and are
defined as entry level skills by the Comission of Accredicdation of Physical Therapy
Programs. These techniques are typically taught in DPT degree programs.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients with Neck Pain
- Ages 18 - 60
Exclusion Criteria:
- Red flags: leg weakness, night pain, history of cancer, upper motor neuron signs,
infection, tumors, osteoporosis, fracture (Boissonnault, 2011) (Cleland, 2004),
cervical stenosis, CNS involvement, signs consistent with nerve root compression,
previous surgery, pending legal action
The inclusion and exclusion above represent a conservative approach based on combining
criteria of recent studies in published review articles. (Cross, 2011; Walser, 2009
We found this trial at
1
site
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15221
Principal Investigator: Steve A Karas, DSc
Phone: 412-365-2798
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