Neck pain is very
common, afflicting 10% of the population at any given
time. Despite its significant socioeconomic impact,
neck pain has been poorly investigated. The broad, long
term objective of this interdisciplinary research is
to identify effective therapies for neck pain and to
increase our knowledge of this problematic condition.
This multidisciplinary, randomized clinical
trial is based on the investigators' previous
neck pain research and will assess three treatment approaches
for chronic neck pain:
- rehabilitative exercise
- chiropractic spinal manipulation combined with
rehabilitative exercise
- self-care education (a minimal intervention control)
The primary aim of this study is to examine the relative
efficacy of the three interventions in terms
of patient-rated outcomes in the short
term (after 12 weeks) and long term (after 52 weeks)
for chronic neck pain.
A total of 270 participants with
chronic neck pain were recruited. Self-reported outcome
measures will be collected at baseline and 4, 12, 26
and 52 weeks; objective outcome measures will be assessed
by blinded examiners at baseline and 12 weeks.
Chiropractic investigators from Northwestern Health
Sciences University are collaborating with medical clinicians
from the University of Minnesota, and the Minneapolis
Medical Research Foundation. |
