Active clinical trials for "Neck Pain"

This study investigates one of the mechanism factors of neck pain. Cervical lordotic angle alterations affect the tension of serratus anterior muscle. Expected result that the long thoracic nerve can be affected in this situation, and could be observed the functional changes of the nerve with serratus anterior electromyographic findings.

This study is focused on people with chronic spinal pain. To investigate the impact of sleep problems on pain and function, 45 people with chronic spinal pain and comorbid insomnia will be compared to 45 people with chronic spinal pain without insomnia.

The goal of is this study is to investigate the reliability and validity of a classification system for neck pain patients. In a previous study clinical experts were asked about the clinical criteria they considered to be determinative for 5 predefined dysfunction patterns in patients with neck problems: 1) articular, 2) myofascial, 3) neural, 4) central, and 5) sensorimotor control dysfunction pattern. This Delphi survey revealed a list of pertinent anamnestic and clinical criteria per dysfunction pattern. In the present study we will collect anamnestic and clinical data of 200 neck pain patients. This will be obtained by approximately 20 clinicians that fill out a standardized registration form at the intake of their patients with neck pain. The therapists and patients will receive an informed consent that clarifies the purpose of the study and what happens next with the collected data. Per patient the therapist indicates the dominant clinical pattern based on his/her experience. Prior to the data analysis, the researchers will be blinded to the patient identification data. Subsequent, the registration forms will be screened for the presence of clinical criteria (obtained from previous Delphi study), independent of the therapist's diagnosis/conclusions. A second independent researcher will gather this information, which will be used for statistical analysis, in order to investigate which clinical criteria can be considered as determinative for a particular pattern. Outcome measures for these analysis are: sensitivity and classification specificity (positive and negative) likelihood ratios odds ratios diagnostic accuracy

Neck pain (NP) is one of the most common and costly musculoskeletal complaints in today's societies. Cervical muscles endurance has been commonly associated with the development of NP. Real-time ultrasound imaging is a reliable and valid technique recently used by physical therapists to evaluate muscle structure, function and activation patterns. The aim of this study is if change in muscle thickness can correlate with the results of the endurance testing.

The aim of this study was to examine the validity and test-retest reliability of unsupported upper extremity exercise test (UULEX) in individuals with chronic neck pain. Patients with neck pain lasting at least 3 months will be included in the study. It is planned to examine the validity and test-retest reliability of the UULEX test in that patient groups.

A correlation study was conducted to correlate between the convergence insufficiency and postural stability at three different cervical positions in patients with non-specific cervical pain.

Neck pain is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder in Norway among older adolescents and young adults. Despite this, little research exist on risk factors for neck pain in the transitional life phase from adolescence to young adulthood. In this prospective cohort study, already collected data from The Nord-Trøndelag Health study, Young HUNT 3 and HUNT 4 will be used to investigate possible risk factors and risk profiles developed in adolescence.

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a collective term for pain and dysfunction of the masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Typical signs and symptoms of TMD includes regional pain, noises from the TMJs and limitations in jaw movements. Altered jaw kinematics and muscle activity have also been reported. TMD may be related to neck problems. Over 50% of patients with TMD suffer from nonspecific neck pain. Patients with TMD often have symptoms over neck, including upper cervical spine movement impairment and reduced cervical muscles endurance. Conversely, TMD may also develop in patients with neck pain. Twenty to thirty-three percent of patients with neck pain also have TMD. Subjects with neck pain present with a twofold higher prevalence of TMD than those without neck pain. In patients with neck pain, the development or perpetuation of TMD may be due to the anatomical connection between TMJ and neck: neck posture affects the mandible position and sensory inputs from the cervical-mandibular region converge at the trigemino-cervical nucleus. Early identification of TMD is essential but to our knowledge, no study has investigated whether patients with neck pain demonstrate altered jaw movement and muscle activity, which is associated with TMD. The purposes of this proposal are to compare the jaw kinematics, muscle activity and muscle sensitivity in healthy individuals and patients with non-specific chronic neck pain (NCNP). This study also aimed to investigate the relationship between forward-head posture and the jaw kinematics, muscle activity as well as muscle sensitivity. With a cross-sectional exploratory study design, 30 healthy control subjects and 30 subjects with NCNP will be recruited. Clinical assessments will include cervical range of motion (CROM), pressure pain threshold (PPT) over the cervical-mandibular region and the cranial-cervical angle (CCA). Jaw kinematics will be measured by Ultrasonic Jaw Motion Analyzer (Zebris GmbH) during functional jaw movements. Muscle activities are record from bilateral anterior temporalis, masseter, sternocleidomastoid muscle and upper trapezius by surface electromyography during resting and clenching.

This study will use microdialysis to investigate myofascial pain. This pain is characterized by "trigger points" (exquisitely tender spots) in a group of tense muscle fibers that extend from the trigger point to the muscle attachments. Trigger points in the trapezius, a large muscle lying between the neck and shoulder, are typically caused by emotional stress, postures such as hunching shoulders, certain activities like using a telephone receiver without elbow support, or by wearing certain articles such as a heavy coat or heavy purse. Microdialysis uses a very thin needle probe (about the size and shape of an acupuncture needle) to collect and measure chemicals directly from soft tissue. Analysis of these chemicals will show whether changes in the tissue around a muscle with trigger points are confined to that muscle, or if these changes also occur in more distant muscles. The study will examine two types of trigger points. An "active" trigger point causes pain or other abnormal symptoms and often causes problems with movement. A "latent" trigger point often causes movement problems without causing pain. Many healthy adults have latent trigger points. People between 21 and 65 years of age with the following characteristics may be eligible for this study: 1) no neck pain or trigger points in either upper trapezius muscle; 2) no neck pain but a latent trigger point in at least one upper trapezius muscle; or 3) neck pain of less than 3 months' duration and an active trigger point in at least one upper trapezius muscle. Participants undergo the following procedures: Physical examination of the muscles of the neck and shoulder area, testing strength and range of motion, and response to palpation to find trigger points. Pain inventory. Subjects complete a questionnaire for measuring pain and its intensity, location, quality, causes, relievers, and associated symptoms. The questionnaire is filled in before and after each microdialysis procedure. Microdialysis in upper trapezius muscle. An electrode patch is placed on either side of the site for insertion of the microdialysis probe and another electrode is placed on the outer edge of the shoulder. The electrodes are used to measure any electrical activity that occurs with insertion or movement of the probe. The subject lies face down and the probe is inserted in the upper trapezius muscle. It remains in place for 5 minutes while chemical substances are collected from the muscle. It is then advanced about 1.5 cm deeper into the muscle until a twitch response is obtained and remains in place for 10 more minutes while substances are collected. Microdialysis in the gastrocnemius muscle (large muscle of the calf). The same procedure for the upper trapezius muscle is done in the calf muscle.

Some cases of acute antero-lateral cervical pain cannot be accurately classified by medical imaging (ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging and/or CT-scan) : imaging rules out carotid dissection, carotid occlusion or vasculitis as well as musculoskeletal causes and thus the pain is considered "of unknown origin". The investigators hypothesize that in such cases perivascular inflammation of the carotid may be involved. This study aims at systematically reviewing medical files (including imaging) of patients suffering from acute cervical pain in which carotid dissection, carotid occlusion or vasculitis as well as musculoskeletal causes have been ruled out by ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging and/or CT-scan