Effectiveness of manual therapy, computerised mobilisation plus home exercise, and home exercise only in treating work-related neck pain: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Author:

Wang Weiming,Ji Chang,Andersen Lars Louis,Wang Yafei,Lin Yangyang,Jiang Li,Chen Shuwei,Xu Yangfan,Zhang Ziping,Shi Le,Wang YulingORCID

Abstract

Abstract Background Work-related neck pain (WRNP) is a leading cause of disability and absenteeism. Patients with neck pain often have neck muscle tenderness and decreased cervical mobility, which are sometimes combined with psychosocial issues, such as pain catastrophising, thereby reducing their work ability. Whilst multidisciplinary treatments, including pharmacological interventions, manual therapy and specific neck exercises, have produced positive outcomes, effective personalised treatment modalities are still needed. Furthermore, manual therapies using the hands can bring fatigue to therapist. Occiflex is a computerised device that can provide personalised segmental joint mobilisation based on symptoms and injury of the patient and then provide a medium range of joint activities to improve range of cervical motion. This study aims to compare the effect of computerised mobilisation performed with Occiflex with that of traditional manual therapy on WRNP. Methods We will conduct a prospective randomised controlled trial including 150 patients with WRNP. These patients will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (i) home exercise (TE), (ii) home exercise plus Occiflex therapy and (iii) home exercise plus manual therapy delivered by a physical therapist. Ten treatment sessions will be performed in four weeks. During the trial, these patients will receive only the assigned treatment and the standard patient education and will be asked not to use any analgesics unless strictly necessary. Assessments by trained evaluators will occur at baseline, week 4 and week 12. The primary outcome measures will include visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and neck disability index (NDI) at each time point. Secondary outcome measures will include cervical range of motion (CROM), pressure pain threshold (PPT), global perceived effect (GPE) and sick leave. Group by time differences will be analysed using linear mixed models with repeated measures. Discussion This protocol describes the methods for a randomised controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of computerised versus manual mobilisation techniques in treating WRNP. The results will provide an alternative method (Occiflex) that is possibly effective for treating neck pain whilst minimising the manual work done by therapists. Trial registration The study protocol was retrospectively registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn (registration number: ChiCTR2100053076) on November 10, 2021.

Funder

Shanghai Xiboy Global Health & Technology Development Co., Ltd.

Guangdong Hopson-Pearl River Education Development Foundation

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Subject

Orthopedics and Sports Medicine,Rheumatology

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