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Cranial Laser Reflex Technique for Hamstring Function (CLRTHam)

Primary Purpose

Hamstring Injury, Muscle Tone Increased, Muscle Pain

Status
Completed
Phase
Not Applicable
Locations
United States
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
CLRT
Sponsored by
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Hamstring Injury focused on measuring hamstrings, flexibility, strength, pain pressure threshold, lllt, photobiomodulation, cranial reflex, cranial laser reflex technique, CLRT

Eligibility Criteria

18 Years - 35 Years (Adult)All SexesAccepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Between 18-35 years of age
  2. All genders
  3. Willing to complete two study visits over 2-3 weeks
  4. Able to read and communicate in English

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Current lower back condition with pain, numbness or tingling that radiates down the legs
  2. Active treatment for a major medical illness, such as heart disease, uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, malignancy, autoimmune, or immune deficiency disorder
  3. History of vasculitis, intracranial mass, clotting disorder (including medication-induced, e.g., warfarin)
  4. Current skin malignancy on scalp
  5. Cognitive dysfunction preventing informed consent
  6. Pending or currently receiving benefits from personal injury litigation, including worker's compensation
  7. Chronic long-term disability related to lumbosacral injury/symptoms
  8. Epilepsy

Sites / Locations

  • UNC- Chapel Hill

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm Type

Active Comparator

Sham Comparator

Arm Label

CLRT, Then Sham

Sham, Then CLRT

Arm Description

Subjects performed the KEA, HHD, PPT functional tests on their right hamstring before and after the CLRT intervention.

The Sham procedure was identical to CLRT except the laser device was placed in placebo mode: all device indicator lights and sounds will be functional but no laser light will be emitted from probe aperture.

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

90-90 Knee Extension Angle Test
Knee Extension Angle (KEA) test is a functional test designed to assess lower extremity flexibility and is considered the gold standard test for assessing hamstring length. Results will be recorded as degrees of knee flexion angle. A clinically significant effect size is an increase of 5 degrees.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Handheld Dynamometry
Handheld Dynamometry (HHD) is measures peak muscle contraction. The measurements will be recorded as kilograms (kg) and higher scores indicate higher muscle strength. The subject will be prone on the table with right leg bent to 90° and will maximally contract the hamstring muscle for 4-5 seconds against the HHD device. The investigator will record the mean value of three attempts. Higher scores indicate greater strength.
Pain Pressure Threshold
PPT is a reliable, accurate and valid method for measuring muscle pain sensitivity and response to treatment. In order to determine PPT, the researcher will apply the tip of the algometer to a tender spot in the participant's hamstrings and increase the amount of pressure until the participant verbally informs the researcher when the sensation of pressure became pain. At this point the algometer is removed and the peak force recorded. The mean of three repeated measures will be reported. An increase in PPT signifies an increase in pain tolerance and a decrease in pain sensitivity.
Mean Difference Pre/Post KEA, Stratified by History of Prior Hamstring Strain
Mean difference between active CLRT and Sham in hamstring flexibility (KEA) stratified by a history of prior hamstring injury. 8 participants reported prior injuries, 36 reported having no prior hamstring strain.

Full Information

First Posted
February 2, 2017
Last Updated
January 28, 2019
Sponsor
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Collaborators
North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT03044106
Brief Title
Cranial Laser Reflex Technique for Hamstring Function
Acronym
CLRTHam
Official Title
The Effects of Cranial Laser Reflex Technique on Hamstring Flexibility, Strength, and Pain Pressure Threshold: a Pilot Study
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
October 2017
Overall Recruitment Status
Completed
Study Start Date
March 4, 2017 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
July 31, 2017 (Actual)
Study Completion Date
July 31, 2017 (Actual)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor
Name of the Sponsor
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Collaborators
North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH)

4. Oversight

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
Yes
Product Manufactured in and Exported from the U.S.
No
Data Monitoring Committee
No

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
Purpose: To conduct a pilot study of the effect of Cranial Laser Reflex Technique (CLRT) compared with sham laser on hamstring muscle flexibility, strength, and pain pressure threshold. Participants: Active, young adults ages 18 to 35. Procedures: A two-visit, assessor and participant-blinded crossover study with 1-week washout. Subjects will complete three functional hamstring tests before and after CLRT and sham laser treatment. Subjects will also complete questionnaires to assess their expectations and perceptions of the interventions.
Detailed Description
First Visit: Subjects who met the inclusion criteria and gave consent completed a brief questionnaire on their activity level, history of hamstring injuries, and perceived hamstring tightness and were randomized to one of the following for the first treatment period: 1) active CLRT; or 2) sham laser. After randomization, subjects were asked to complete the three functional hamstring tests: 90-90 Knee Extension Angle (KEA) to assess flexibility, handheld dynamometry (HHD) for strength, and pain pressure threshold (PPT). Assessments. KEA: The 90-90 Knee Extension Angle test is a functional assessment designed to assess lower extremity flexibility and is considered the gold standard for hamstring length. The participant began in the supine position on a treatment table. The tested extremity (the right leg in each subject) was placed in a 90° hip and 90° knee position with the contralateral lower extremity placed flat on the table. A digital inclinometer was consistently placed at the level of the medial malleoli and the superior pole of the patella. The examiner maintained 90° of hip flexion. Pelvic position was monitored by palpation of the anterior superior iliac spine and lumbar spinous processes to maintain a neutral pelvic position. The examiner passively extended the knee to the point of a ''strong, but tolerable stretch," as reported by the subject. The examiner read the angle of the inclinometer and recorded the mean value of three attempts. A greater angle indicates greater degree of flexibility. Hand held Dynamometry (HHD) is currently considered a reliable and valid measurement of peak muscle contraction. The subject began prone on the table with right leg bent to 90°. The tester placed the dynamometer (microFET2; Hoggan Health Industries, Salt Lake City, UT) at the heel of the participant and applied force to the heel, gradually increasing in 3 to 5 seconds. Participants was instructed to resist the applied force and maximally contract the hamstring muscle against the HHD device. The test ended once they are no longer able to resist the force and the leg begins to move (break point). The investigator recorded the mean value of three attempts. Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT) is a reliable, accurate and valid method for measuring muscle pain sensitivity and response to treatment. The digital algometer (FDX, Wagner Instruments, Greenwich, CT) is a hand-held muscle tester with a range of 0-100 lbf that consists of a padded disc with a diameter of 0.5" attached to a microprocessor-control unit that measures peak force (pounds or kilograms). The unit has a digital readout for peak-applied pressure and provides a built-in calibration routine that verifies a valid calibration. In order to determine PPT, the researcher applied the tip of the algometer to a tender spot in the participant's hamstrings and increased the amount of pressure until the participant verbally informed the researcher when the sensation of pressure became pain. At this point the algometer was removed and the peak force recorded. The mean of three repeated measures was reported. Intervention: Cranial Laser Reflex Technique (CLRT) is a novel complementary and alternative (CAM) medicine intervention for musculoskeletal conditions that incorporates principles of laser acupuncture with chiropractic cranial reflexology. Subjects wore protective eyewear. The hamstring reflexes are two lines on the posterior portion of the top of the head, approximately 2 cm long and 2 cm apart, running parallel to the sagittal suture. The posterior end of the reflexes can be located by finding the vertex, or CZ point in the standardized 10-20 EEG system, and moving laterally approximately 1 cm. The aperture of the laser probe was placed at the posterior end of the reflex (b), turned on and moved anteriorly to point (a) at a speed of approximately 2 cm/s. The laser was turned off and quickly returned to the starting point, turned on and moved again. This was repeated for a total of 30 times. The probe skimmed the surface of the scalp, moving aside as much hair as possible. Device: The treatment device used in this study is a Class IIIB 810nm 200 milliwatts (mW) near-infrared diode laser (THOR Photomedicine Ltd, Great Britain) that is currently marketed in the US. The laser probe is FDA-cleared and classified as a non-significant risk device. The spot size is 0.0364 cm^2, and the treatment time is 30 seconds. Current best-practice recommendations for laser acupuncture recommend a dosage between 1-4 J/cm^2 per point. Since the CRP is a line of 2 cm, for the purposes of calculating dosage, it was treated as a series of 10 connected points each with a diameter of 2mm. With the scanning rate of 2cm/s, each "point" on the line received 1/10 of each pass, totaling 3s (out of 30s total) exposure time per point. The dose per point for this intervention is calculated to be approximately 1.65 J/cm^2. There was a one-week washout and the subject will return for the second treatment period. Primary Outcome: Hamstring flexibility (90-90 Knee Extension Angle, KEA) A clinically significant effect size is an increase of 5 degrees. The investigator recorded the mean value of three attempts. Hypothesis: CLRT will increase hamstring flexibility. Secondary Outcomes: Hamstring Strength as assessed by Handheld Dynamometry. HHD . The investigator recorded the mean value of three attempts. Hypothesis: CLRT will have a neutral to positive effect on hamstring strength. Pain Pressure Threshold. The mean of three repeated measures was reported. An increase in PPT signifies an increase in pain tolerance. Hypothesis: CLRT will increase pain tolerance. Age, gender, activity level, perceived hamstring tightness, perceived hamstring flexibility and perceived hamstring strength were assessed at baseline and subsequent follow up visit. Results were stratified by these variables to assess interaction with treatment. Sample Size and Power: Based on previously published results, a mean increase of 5º on the KEA (e.g., from 135º to 140º) is considered to be clinically meaningful, assuming a common standard deviation of 15º. It is also assumed that correlation between repeated measurements from the same individual will be at least 0.75 (likely a conservative assumption). Under these assumptions, enrolling 38 participants would provide at least 80% power using a two-sided test at the 0.05 level.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Hamstring Injury, Muscle Tone Increased, Muscle Pain, Muscle Weakness
Keywords
hamstrings, flexibility, strength, pain pressure threshold, lllt, photobiomodulation, cranial reflex, cranial laser reflex technique, CLRT

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Not Applicable
Interventional Study Model
Crossover Assignment
Model Description
Subjects who meet the inclusion criteria and give consent were randomized to one of the following for the first treatment period: 1) active CLRT; or 2) sham laser. At the first intervention visit, the research assistant entered the subject's assigned identification into an online computer program (selected by study biostatistician) to determine assignment to one of the two periods. The study biostatistician used computer-generated random numbers to generate the allocation sequence using random blocks of random sizes. A one-week washout period minimized carryover effects.
Masking
ParticipantOutcomes Assessor
Masking Description
Subjects and assessors were blinded to treatment allocation. The subject was face down, eyes closed, and wearing protective eyewear that blocks the specific wavelength of the laser light during the intervention. After each treatment session, the participants completed a de-blinding questionnaire administrated by the assessor providing a dichotomous 'yes' or 'no' answer as to whether active treatment was received. This response was followed by a second question regarding how certain they were that active treatment was received on a 0-10 numeric rating scale (NRS), where 0 represents absolutely uncertain and 10 represents absolutely certain.
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
44 (Actual)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
CLRT, Then Sham
Arm Type
Active Comparator
Arm Description
Subjects performed the KEA, HHD, PPT functional tests on their right hamstring before and after the CLRT intervention.
Arm Title
Sham, Then CLRT
Arm Type
Sham Comparator
Arm Description
The Sham procedure was identical to CLRT except the laser device was placed in placebo mode: all device indicator lights and sounds will be functional but no laser light will be emitted from probe aperture.
Intervention Type
Device
Intervention Name(s)
CLRT
Other Intervention Name(s)
Cranial Laser Reflex Technique
Intervention Description
CLRT is a novel method of laser stimulation on specific cranial reflex points that modulate muscle tone.
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
90-90 Knee Extension Angle Test
Description
Knee Extension Angle (KEA) test is a functional test designed to assess lower extremity flexibility and is considered the gold standard test for assessing hamstring length. Results will be recorded as degrees of knee flexion angle. A clinically significant effect size is an increase of 5 degrees.
Time Frame
At baseline and immediately after intervention
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Handheld Dynamometry
Description
Handheld Dynamometry (HHD) is measures peak muscle contraction. The measurements will be recorded as kilograms (kg) and higher scores indicate higher muscle strength. The subject will be prone on the table with right leg bent to 90° and will maximally contract the hamstring muscle for 4-5 seconds against the HHD device. The investigator will record the mean value of three attempts. Higher scores indicate greater strength.
Time Frame
At baseline and immediately after intervention
Title
Pain Pressure Threshold
Description
PPT is a reliable, accurate and valid method for measuring muscle pain sensitivity and response to treatment. In order to determine PPT, the researcher will apply the tip of the algometer to a tender spot in the participant's hamstrings and increase the amount of pressure until the participant verbally informs the researcher when the sensation of pressure became pain. At this point the algometer is removed and the peak force recorded. The mean of three repeated measures will be reported. An increase in PPT signifies an increase in pain tolerance and a decrease in pain sensitivity.
Time Frame
At baseline and immediately after intervention
Title
Mean Difference Pre/Post KEA, Stratified by History of Prior Hamstring Strain
Description
Mean difference between active CLRT and Sham in hamstring flexibility (KEA) stratified by a history of prior hamstring injury. 8 participants reported prior injuries, 36 reported having no prior hamstring strain.
Time Frame
At baseline and immediately after intervention

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
18 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
35 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Between 18-35 years of age All genders Willing to complete two study visits over 2-3 weeks Able to read and communicate in English Exclusion Criteria: Current lower back condition with pain, numbness or tingling that radiates down the legs Active treatment for a major medical illness, such as heart disease, uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, malignancy, autoimmune, or immune deficiency disorder History of vasculitis, intracranial mass, clotting disorder (including medication-induced, e.g., warfarin) Current skin malignancy on scalp Cognitive dysfunction preventing informed consent Pending or currently receiving benefits from personal injury litigation, including worker's compensation Chronic long-term disability related to lumbosacral injury/symptoms Epilepsy
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Nicholas A Wise, D.C.
Organizational Affiliation
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
UNC- Chapel Hill
City
Chapel Hill
State/Province
North Carolina
ZIP/Postal Code
27514
Country
United States

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Plan to Share IPD
No

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Cranial Laser Reflex Technique for Hamstring Function

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