PROCO Neck: The Course and Neuroplasticity in Neck Pain-Associated Disorders and Whiplash-Associated Disorders

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES · Jul 18, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The PROCO Neck trial is studying neck pain and whiplash-related disorders to better understand why some people continue to experience pain long after their injury. Neck pain is a common issue, affecting more than half of people at some point in their lives, but while many recover quickly, others may suffer from chronic pain that impacts their daily lives. The trial aims to explore how both physical factors, like how our bodies move, and emotional factors, such as anxiety or depression, can influence pain and recovery. Researchers are particularly interested in how these factors interact and how changes in the brain might relate to ongoing pain.

To participate in this trial, individuals aged 18 to 65 who have experienced neck pain for less than a month may be eligible. There are two groups: one for those with neck pain not caused by an accident and another for those whose pain results from a recent injury, like a car accident. Participants will complete questionnaires to help researchers understand their experiences. This study is not yet recruiting, but it aims to gather important information that could improve treatment and support for people dealing with persistent neck pain and whiplash.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • NAD cohort; neck pain without an acceleration-deceleration mechanism, inclusion \< 1 month since onset of pain
• • WAD cohort; neck pain resulting from a traumatic acceleration-deceleration mechanism and classified as WAD Grade I-III on the modified Quebec Task Force Scale98, inclusion \< 1 month since onset of pain
• • In recurrence, no pain in the previous three months
• • Age between 18 and 65 years at baseline
• • Ability to read, write, and understand German for completing the questionnaires.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • For both cohorts; a clinically relevant anatomical anomaly in the cervical spine (e.g., carcinoma), spine surgery; peripheral or central neurological illness, pregnancy, or women who gave birth in the last year (to avoid the confounding effects of pregnancy-related NAD)
• • For the WAD cohort, WAD Grade IV on the modified Quebec Task Force Scale (Fracture of dislocation), patients who lost consciousness due to the traumatic event and post-traumatic amnesia to exclude mild traumatic brain injury.