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Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition, Muscle Energy and Strain Counter Strain Techniques in Neck Pain

Primary Purpose

Neck Pain

Status
Completed
Phase
Not Applicable
Locations
Pakistan
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Strain Counter Strain Technique
Muscle Energy Technique,
Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique
Sponsored by
Riphah International University
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Neck Pain focused on measuring Mechanical Neck Pain, Chronic Neck Pain, Muscle Energy Technique, Strain counter Strain, INIT

Eligibility Criteria

30 Years - 60 Years (Adult)All SexesAccepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Participants falling in this category would be recruited into the study.

    • Patients with chronic mechanical neck pain (symptoms for more than 3 months).
    • Age group between 30 - 60 years.
    • Patients willing to participate and take treatment.
    • Patients must have at least 1 active trigger point at upper trapezius, levator scapulae, SCM.
    • Gender (Both)
    • VAS >3

Exclusion Criteria:

  • • Patients having severe neck pain.

    • Patients having any systemic joint pathology, inflammatory joint disease (e.g rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis, psoriatic arthritis).
    • Patients who had any neurological deficit, myelopathy any mental illness.
    • Patients on medication like antidepressants, corticosteroid, anti-inflammatory medications.

Sites / Locations

  • Atta Memorial Hospital

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm 3

Arm Type

Experimental

Experimental

Experimental

Arm Label

Strain Counter Strain Technique

Muscle Energy Technique,

Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique

Arm Description

When general or local pain began to diminish, upper trapezius , levator scapulae and SCM was placed in a position of ease and was held for approximately 20 to 30 seconds. Moderate digital pressure was applied to the identified MTrP as participants rated their level of pain on a scale ranging from 1 to 10.3. Ease was defined as the point at which a reduction in pain of at least 70% was achieved.Once the position of ease was identified, it was held for 20 to 30 seconds.

After the ease position was maintained for 20 to 30sec an isometric contraction focused on the muscle fibers around the MTrP was performed. Each isometric contraction was held for 7 to 10 sec and was followed by a soft-tissue stretch for 15 seconds and then relax for 30 seconds. Each stretch was held for 30 seconds, and it was repeated 3 times during the treatment session. 3. Treatment was performed on the 3 most painful areas between the upper border of the upper trapezius muscle, the SCM, the levator scapulae, and the SC muscle.

1. Group c will receive Combination of exercise (strain counter strain , muscle energy & ischemic compression. In ischemic compression patient will receive compression,2. After MTrPs identification, 3. Ischemic compression was applied in an intermittent manner for up to 2 minutes for each MTrP. 4. The pincer grasp (for the trapezius muscle and SCM) or direct digital pressure (for the levator scapulae and SC muscle) was used with the patients in either the supine position or sitting upright.

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

• Visual analog scale.
Pain was assessed by the VAS, which is a card with an uncalibrated scale ranging from 0 to 10. 0 represent no pain and 10 represent the highest level of pain. A vertical line on the scale drawn by the patient marked their subjective pain estimation ranging from 0 to 10. Subsequently, a single ruler was used to record the exact pain level. The reliability of the scale is quite satisfactory, especially in people with moderate and high educational levels (r = .94, P = .001) (6). reference for tools should be added
• Neck disability index.
Disability was evaluated using the NDI questionnaire. It is a self-reported 10-item scale. Each item assesses different neck pain complaints. Most of the items are related to restrictions in activities of daily life, and each item is expressed by 6 different assertions in the range 0 to 5, with 0 indicating no disability and 5 indicating the highest disability. The total score ranges from 0 to 50. Its credibility in people with neck pain is moderate to high and has been considered a valid tool in patients with neck problems. NDI has high reliability i.e. ICC 0.97 and good internal validity i.e. Cronbach's alpha = 0.86.(6)
• 36-Item Short Form Health Survey score
SF-36 consists of 36 questions, selected from the Medical Outcomes Study. These questions are related to 8 different parameters of mental and physical health.SF-36 has satisfactory support in the literature.51 Total Physical and Mental Health, and the subcategory of Bodily Pain, were evaluated in this study. SF-36 shows a high rate of validity and reliability in patients with neck pain. In all 8 categories, both the ICC and the Cronbach's alpha index are high 0.75-0.94 and 0.69-0.88, correspondingly
• Goniometer
Goniometer measures the available range of motion of cervical flexion, extension, rotation and side bending. To see the restriction in cervical moments we compare the available ROM's to the normal ROM's.
algometer
Pressure pain threshold is measured by Pressure algometry was conducted using a Wagner digital algometer (Wagner FPX 25 Digital Algometer; Wagner Instruments, Greenwich, CT). PPT was assessed bilaterally over the upper border of the trapezius muscle, halfway between the midline and the lateral border of the acromion, the levator scapulae muscle 2 cm above the lower insertion and located in the upper medial border of the scapulae, the SCM upper insertion, and the SC 2 cm lateral to the spinous processes of the axis. The metal rod of the algometer was placed vertically on the site, and the examiner applied gradually increasing pressure at a rate of 1 kg/s. The examinees indicated when they began to feel pain or discomfort. Then, the examiner ceased the pressure and noted the value. Pressure algometry showed from satisfactory to fairly high reliability by various researchers both in repeated measurements of the same examiner and between measurements of different examiners.(14)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Full Information

First Posted
February 20, 2022
Last Updated
July 7, 2023
Sponsor
Riphah International University
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT05262062
Brief Title
Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition, Muscle Energy and Strain Counter Strain Techniques in Neck Pain
Official Title
Effect of Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition, Muscle Energy and Strain Counter Strain Techniques in the Management of Mechanical Neck Pain.
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
July 2023
Overall Recruitment Status
Completed
Study Start Date
October 25, 2021 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
March 24, 2022 (Actual)
Study Completion Date
March 28, 2022 (Actual)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor
Name of the Sponsor
Riphah International University

4. Oversight

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
No
Data Monitoring Committee
Yes

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
To determine effects of Neuromuscular Inhibition, Muscle energy and strain counter strain techniques on Pain, disability, pain pressure threshold, range of motion, and health-related quality of life in mechanical neck pain. To compare the effects of Integrated Neuromuscular inhibition, Muscle energy and strain counter strain techniques in the Management of mechanical neck pain.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Neck Pain
Keywords
Mechanical Neck Pain, Chronic Neck Pain, Muscle Energy Technique, Strain counter Strain, INIT

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Not Applicable
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Masking
None (Open Label)
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
51 (Actual)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Strain Counter Strain Technique
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
When general or local pain began to diminish, upper trapezius , levator scapulae and SCM was placed in a position of ease and was held for approximately 20 to 30 seconds. Moderate digital pressure was applied to the identified MTrP as participants rated their level of pain on a scale ranging from 1 to 10.3. Ease was defined as the point at which a reduction in pain of at least 70% was achieved.Once the position of ease was identified, it was held for 20 to 30 seconds.
Arm Title
Muscle Energy Technique,
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
After the ease position was maintained for 20 to 30sec an isometric contraction focused on the muscle fibers around the MTrP was performed. Each isometric contraction was held for 7 to 10 sec and was followed by a soft-tissue stretch for 15 seconds and then relax for 30 seconds. Each stretch was held for 30 seconds, and it was repeated 3 times during the treatment session. 3. Treatment was performed on the 3 most painful areas between the upper border of the upper trapezius muscle, the SCM, the levator scapulae, and the SC muscle.
Arm Title
Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
1. Group c will receive Combination of exercise (strain counter strain , muscle energy & ischemic compression. In ischemic compression patient will receive compression,2. After MTrPs identification, 3. Ischemic compression was applied in an intermittent manner for up to 2 minutes for each MTrP. 4. The pincer grasp (for the trapezius muscle and SCM) or direct digital pressure (for the levator scapulae and SC muscle) was used with the patients in either the supine position or sitting upright.
Intervention Type
Other
Intervention Name(s)
Strain Counter Strain Technique
Intervention Description
When general or local pain began to diminish, upper trapezius , levator scapulae and SCM was placed in a position of ease and was held for approximately 20 to 30 seconds. 2. Moderate digital pressure was applied to the identified MTrP as participants rated their level of pain on a scale ranging from 1 to 10. 3. Ease was defined as the point at which a reduction in pain of at least 70% was achieved. 4. Once the position of ease was identified, it was held for 20 to 30 seconds.
Intervention Type
Other
Intervention Name(s)
Muscle Energy Technique,
Intervention Description
After the ease position was maintained for 20 to 30sec an isometric contraction focused on the muscle fibers around the MTrP was performed. 2. Each isometric contraction was held for 7 to 10 sec and was followed by a soft-tissue stretch for 15 seconds and then relax for 30 seconds. Each stretch was held for 30 seconds, and it was repeated 3 times during the treatment session. 3. Treatment was performed on the 3 most painful areas between the upper border of the upper trapezius muscle, the SCM, the levator scapulae, and the SC muscle.
Intervention Type
Other
Intervention Name(s)
Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique
Intervention Description
Group c will receive Combination of exercise (strain counter strain , muscle energy & ischemic compression. In ischemic compression patient will receive compression, After MTrPs identification, Ischemic compression was applied in an intermittent manner for up to 2 minutes for each MTrP. The pincer grasp (for the trapezius muscle and SCM) or direct digital pressure (for the levator scapulae and SC muscle) was used with the patients in either the supine position or sitting upright
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
• Visual analog scale.
Description
Pain was assessed by the VAS, which is a card with an uncalibrated scale ranging from 0 to 10. 0 represent no pain and 10 represent the highest level of pain. A vertical line on the scale drawn by the patient marked their subjective pain estimation ranging from 0 to 10. Subsequently, a single ruler was used to record the exact pain level. The reliability of the scale is quite satisfactory, especially in people with moderate and high educational levels (r = .94, P = .001) (6). reference for tools should be added
Time Frame
4 weeks
Title
• Neck disability index.
Description
Disability was evaluated using the NDI questionnaire. It is a self-reported 10-item scale. Each item assesses different neck pain complaints. Most of the items are related to restrictions in activities of daily life, and each item is expressed by 6 different assertions in the range 0 to 5, with 0 indicating no disability and 5 indicating the highest disability. The total score ranges from 0 to 50. Its credibility in people with neck pain is moderate to high and has been considered a valid tool in patients with neck problems. NDI has high reliability i.e. ICC 0.97 and good internal validity i.e. Cronbach's alpha = 0.86.(6)
Time Frame
4 Weeks
Title
• 36-Item Short Form Health Survey score
Description
SF-36 consists of 36 questions, selected from the Medical Outcomes Study. These questions are related to 8 different parameters of mental and physical health.SF-36 has satisfactory support in the literature.51 Total Physical and Mental Health, and the subcategory of Bodily Pain, were evaluated in this study. SF-36 shows a high rate of validity and reliability in patients with neck pain. In all 8 categories, both the ICC and the Cronbach's alpha index are high 0.75-0.94 and 0.69-0.88, correspondingly
Time Frame
4 Week
Title
• Goniometer
Description
Goniometer measures the available range of motion of cervical flexion, extension, rotation and side bending. To see the restriction in cervical moments we compare the available ROM's to the normal ROM's.
Time Frame
4 Week
Title
algometer
Description
Pressure pain threshold is measured by Pressure algometry was conducted using a Wagner digital algometer (Wagner FPX 25 Digital Algometer; Wagner Instruments, Greenwich, CT). PPT was assessed bilaterally over the upper border of the trapezius muscle, halfway between the midline and the lateral border of the acromion, the levator scapulae muscle 2 cm above the lower insertion and located in the upper medial border of the scapulae, the SCM upper insertion, and the SC 2 cm lateral to the spinous processes of the axis. The metal rod of the algometer was placed vertically on the site, and the examiner applied gradually increasing pressure at a rate of 1 kg/s. The examinees indicated when they began to feel pain or discomfort. Then, the examiner ceased the pressure and noted the value. Pressure algometry showed from satisfactory to fairly high reliability by various researchers both in repeated measurements of the same examiner and between measurements of different examiners.(14)
Time Frame
4th Week

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
30 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
60 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Participants falling in this category would be recruited into the study. Patients with chronic mechanical neck pain (symptoms for more than 3 months). Age group between 30 - 60 years. Patients willing to participate and take treatment. Patients must have at least 1 active trigger point at upper trapezius, levator scapulae, SCM. Gender (Both) VAS >3 Exclusion Criteria: • Patients having severe neck pain. Patients having any systemic joint pathology, inflammatory joint disease (e.g rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis, psoriatic arthritis). Patients who had any neurological deficit, myelopathy any mental illness. Patients on medication like antidepressants, corticosteroid, anti-inflammatory medications.
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Lal Gul Khan, MSPT
Organizational Affiliation
Riphah International University Islamabad
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
Atta Memorial Hospital
City
Rawalpindi
State/Province
Punjab
ZIP/Postal Code
46222
Country
Pakistan

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Plan to Share IPD
No
Citations:
PubMed Identifier
32517732
Citation
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Results Reference
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Results Reference
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PubMed Identifier
8942688
Citation
Aker PD, Gross AR, Goldsmith CH, Peloso P. Conservative management of mechanical neck pain: systematic overview and meta-analysis. BMJ. 1996 Nov 23;313(7068):1291-6.
Results Reference
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PubMed Identifier
33679948
Citation
Ashfaq R, Riaz H. Effect of Pressure biofeedback training on deep cervical flexors endurance in patients with mechanical neck pain: A randomized controlled trial. Pak J Med Sci. 2021 Mar-Apr;37(2):550-555. doi: 10.12669/pjms.37.2.2343.
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PubMed Identifier
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6. Fryer G. Muscle energy technique: An evidence-informed approach. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. 2011 Mar 1;14(1):3-9.
Results Reference
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7. Paul J, Balakrishnan P. Effect of strain counter strain technique and stretching in treatment of patients with upper trapezius tenderness in neck pain. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY. 2018 Aug 1;5(4):141-4.
Results Reference
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8. Ganjave P, Shikrapurkar S. Prevalence of Neck Pain among Clinical Laboratory Technicians in Mumbai
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PubMed Identifier
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Citation
Lytras DE, Sykaras EI, Christoulas KI, Myrogiannis IS, Kellis E. Effects of Exercise and an Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique Program in the Management of Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2020 Feb;43(2):100-113. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2019.03.011. Epub 2020 May 30.
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11. Gohil D, Vaishy S, Baxi G, Samson A, Palekar T. Effectiveness of strain-counterstrain technique versus digital ischemic compression on myofascial trigger points. Archives of Medicine and Health Sciences. 2020 Jul 1;8(2):191.
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Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition, Muscle Energy and Strain Counter Strain Techniques in Neck Pain

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