Affiliations: [a] International School of Osteopathy, Bilbao, Spain | [b] Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, Navarra, Spain | [c] Clinical Research Department, Orthopaedic Surgery and Advanced Rehabilitation Centre, Spain | [d] Centre for Studies on Measurement of Physical Activity, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, D.C, Colombia | [e] National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark | [f] Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark | [g] University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Mikel Izquierdo, Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, Campus of Tudela, Av. de Tarazona, s/n. 31500 Tudela (Navarra), Spain. Tel.: +34 948 417876; E-mail: mikel.izquierdo@gmail.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: While both manipulative treatment and physical exercises are used to treat cervical pain, it remains unclear which is most effective. OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term effects of high-velocity, low-amplitude manipulation techniques (MT) with those of home-exercise (HE) with stretching and low-intensity (10% of max) isometric contractions on pain and function. METHODS: Single-blind randomized clinical trial was performed. A total of 27 asymptomatic subjects were randomly assigned to 2 groups: manipulation techniques (MT, n= 13) and home exercise (HE, n= 14). The visual analogue scale (VAS); neck disability index (NDI); pressure pain thresholds; cervical spine range of motion and electromyography during the cranio-cervical flexion test was measured before and one week after the intervention. RESULTS: After the intervention, both groups showed improved (P< 0.05) NDI and VAS scores and flexion in both rotation ranges compared with the pre-intervention values. For the NDI, pain intensity, and neck flexion, the effects sizes were large; for the majority of the other measurements, the effect sizes were small to moderate. The MT group showed significantly better results than the HE group for 2 out of 17 tests. CONCLUSIONS: Both interventions improved function and pain after one week, with only marginal between-group differences in favor of MT.
