Evaluation of the immediate effect of acupuncture on pain, cervical range of motion and electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius muscle in patients with nonspecific neck pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Current controlled trials in cardiovascular medicine Vol. 16; no. 1; p. 100
• Main Authors: Calamita, Simone Aparecida Penimpedo, Biasotto-Gonzalez, Daniela Aparecida, De Melo, Nivea Cristina, dos Santos, Douglas Meira, de Lassa, Roberta, de Mendonça, Fabiana Sarilho, Oliveira, Claudia Santos, Amorim, César Ferreira, Gonzalez, Tabajara Oliveira, Fumagalli, Marco Antônio, de Gomes, Cid André Fidelis Paula, Politti, Fabiano
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 19.03.2015; BioMed Central
• Subjects: Acupuncture; Acupuncture Therapy; Adolescent; Adult; Analysis; Biomechanical Phenomena; Care and treatment; Cervical Vertebrae - physiopathology; Clinical Protocols; Clinical trials; Cross-Over Studies; Disability Evaluation; Electromyography; Evidence-based medicine; Female; Fibromyalgia; Health aspects; Humans; Hypotheses; Male; Manipulative therapy; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Neck pain; Neck Pain - diagnosis; Neck Pain - physiopathology; Neck Pain - therapy; Pain Measurement; Patients; Physical therapy; Predictive Value of Tests; Range of motion; Range of Motion, Articular; Research Design; Single-Blind Method; Study Protocol; Superficial Back Muscles - physiopathology; Therapeutics, Physiological; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult; Brazil
• ISSN: 1745-6215; 1745-6215
• DOI: 10.1186/s13063-015-0623-3

Nonspecific neck pain can cause considerable suffering, possible disability and reductions in quality of life and productivity. The aim of the proposed study is to evaluate the immediate effect of acupuncture on pain, cervical range of motion and electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius muscle in patients with nonspecific neck pain. A total of 12 patients with nonspecific neck pain and 12 healthy subjects will be enrolled in a randomized, single-blind crossover study. Each subject will receive two forms of treatment in random order: a single session of traditional acupuncture (acupoints: triple energizer 5, 'Wai-guan' and large intestine 11, 'Qu-chi') and sham acupuncture. To eliminate carry-over treatment effects, a one-week wash-out period will be respected between sessions. Surface electromyography will be used to determine motor control in the upper trapezius muscle before and after treatment. The outcome measures in the group with neck pain will be a numerical pain rating scale (range: 0 (no pain) to 10 (maximum pain)), documentation of the pain area on a body chart and cervical range of motion. Comparisons before and after acupuncture treatment will demonstrate whether acupoints affect the activity of the upper trapezius muscle, pain and cervical range of motion. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the immediate effect of acupuncture on pain, cervical range of motion and electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius muscle in patients with nonspecific neck pain. Data will be published after the study is completed. The study will support the practice of evidence-based physical therapy for individuals with nonspecific neck pain. This trial was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (identifier: NCT0984021 ) on 7 November 2013 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01984021 ).