Validation of a Clinical Prediction Rule to Identify Patients With Shoulder Pain Likely to Benefit From Cervicothoracic Manipulation: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Shoulder Pain
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Shoulder Pain focused on measuring Cervical, Clinical Prediction Rule, Exercise, Manipulation, Manual therapy, Mobilization, Physical Therapy, Prognosis, Shoulder pain, Thoracic
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Primary complaint of shoulder pain (defined as pain between the neck and the elbow at rest or during movement of the upper arm, see diagram to the right)
- Age between 18-65 years old
- Shoulder Pain and Disability (SPADI) score > 20 points
Exclusion Criteria:
- Medical red flags noted in the patient's Medical Screening Questionnaire (i.e. tumor, fracture, metabolic diseases, RA, osteoporosis, prolonged history of steroid use, etc.)
- Acute fractures in the shoulder region.
- Acute severe trauma in the cervical or thoracic region in the last 6 weeks.
- Contraindications to manipulative therapy (for example osteoporosis of the cervicothoracic spine).
- Evidence of central nervous system involvement, to include hyperreflexia, sensory disturbances in the hand, intrinsic muscle wasting of the hands, unsteadiness during walking, nystagmus, loss of visual acuity, impaired sensation of the face, altered taste, the presence of pathological reflexes (i.e. positive Hoffman's and/or Babinski reflexes), etc.
- Diagnosis of cervical spinal stenosis or bilateral upper extremity symptoms
Two or more positive neurologic signs consistent with nerve root compression, including any two of the following:
- Muscle weakness involving a major muscle group of the upper extremity
- Diminished upper extremity muscle stretch reflex (biceps brachii, brachioradialis, or triceps brachii reflexes)
- Diminished or absent sensation to pinprick in any upper extremity dermatome
- Prior surgery to the neck or thoracic spine involving fusion or open reduction internal fixation.
- Insufficient English language skills to complete all questionnaires
- Inability to comply with treatment and follow-up schedule
Sites / Locations
- University of Colorado Denver
- Waldron's Peak Physical Therapy
- Wardenburg Health Center at the University of Colorado
- Franklin Pierce University
- Northern Navajo Medical Center
- Temple University
- VCUHS- Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
- University of Puget Sound
- Gundersen Lutheran
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Manipulation + Exercise Group
Exercise Group
The treatment received by the manipulation+exercise group will differ from the exercise group for the first week only (two treatment sessions). During the first two sessions, patients in the manipulation+exercise group will receive cervicothoracic spine manipulations and range of motion (ROM) exercises only. Beginning on the third session these patients will receive the same exercise program as the exercise group.
The exercise group will be treated with a stretching and strengthening program.