The Comparative Effectiveness of Interventions in People With Neck Pain Who Exhibit Directional Preference

Launched by TUFTS UNIVERSITY · Nov 29, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on finding out which physical therapy treatment works better for people suffering from neck pain. Researchers will compare two types of treatment: one based on Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) and another following Cervical Spine Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs). The study aims to see how effective these treatments are over a year for patients who show a specific response to certain movements, known as directional preference.

To participate in this trial, you need to be between 18 and 90 years old and have neck pain that hasn’t been caused by serious medical conditions or previous spinal surgery. If you qualify, you’ll be randomly placed in one of the two treatment groups and will receive therapy for your neck pain. This study is currently not recruiting participants yet, but it’s designed to help improve treatment options for neck pain in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Patients who are consecutively referred to physical therapy for the treatment of neck pain will be recruited from three hospital-based outpatient physical therapy clinics. Patients will be included if they demonstrate directional preference in the physical therapy initial examination.
• • 2. Patients aged 18-90 years
• Exclusion Criteria:
• Patients will be excluded if they:
• • 1. Have a history of spinal surgery
• • 2. Have cervical instability, and/or vertebral basilar insufficiency
• • 3. Have a serious medical condition such as cancer, spondylolisthesis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or other related autoimmune diseases
• • 4. Are currently pregnant
• • 5. Are positive for upper motor neuron signs
• • 6. Are experiencing problems with dizziness, tinnitus, swallowing, or bowel and bladder dysfunction.
• • 7. Do not experience directional preference in the physical therapy initial examination.