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Molina-Álvarez M, Arribas-Romano A, Rodríguez-Rivera C, García MM, Fernández-Carnero J, Armijo-Olivo S, Goicoechea Garcia C. Manual Therapy Effect in Placebo-Controlled Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14021. [PMID: 36360901 PMCID: PMC9654326 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Background: Evaluate whether the design of placebo control groups could produce different interpretations of the efficacy of manual therapy techniques. METHODS Nine databases were searched (EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed, SCOPUS, WEB of SCIENCE, COCHRANE, and PEDro). Randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials that used manual therapy as a sham treatment on subjects suffering from pain were included. Data were summarized qualitatively, and meta-analyses were conducted with R. RESULTS 53 articles were included in the qualitative analysis and 48 were included in the quantitative analyses. Manipulation techniques did not show higher effectiveness when compared with all types of sham groups that were analyzed (SMD 0.28; 95%CI [-0.24; 0.80]) (SMD 0.28; 95%CI [-0.08; 0.64]) (SMD 0.42; 95%CI [0.16; 0.67]) (SMD 0.82; 95%CI [-0.57; 2.21]), raising doubts on their therapeutic effect. Factors such as expectations of treatment were not consistently evaluated, and analysis could help clarify the effect of different sham groups. As for soft tissue techniques, the results are stronger in favor of these techniques when compared to sham control groups (SMD 0.40; 95%CI [0.19, 0.61]). Regarding mobilization techniques and neural gliding techniques, not enough studies were found for conclusions to be made. CONCLUSIONS The literature presents a lack of a unified placebo control group design for each technique and an absence of assessment of expectations. These two issues might account for the unclear results obtained in the analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Molina-Álvarez
- Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
- Area of Pharmacology, Nutrition and Bromatology, Department of Basic Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Unidad Asociada I+D+i Instituto de Química Médica (IQM) CSIC-URJC, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Alberto Arribas-Romano
- Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Carmen Rodríguez-Rivera
- Area of Pharmacology, Nutrition and Bromatology, Department of Basic Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Unidad Asociada I+D+i Instituto de Química Médica (IQM) CSIC-URJC, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
- High Performance Experimental Pharmacology Research Group, Rey Juan Carlos University (PHARMAKOM), 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Miguel M. García
- Area of Pharmacology, Nutrition and Bromatology, Department of Basic Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Unidad Asociada I+D+i Instituto de Química Médica (IQM) CSIC-URJC, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
- High Performance Experimental Pharmacology Research Group, Rey Juan Carlos University (PHARMAKOM), 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
- Grupo Multidisciplinar de Investigación y Tratamiento del Dolor, Grupo de Excelencia Investigadora URJC-Banco de Santander, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Josué Fernández-Carnero
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
- Grupo Multidisciplinar de Investigación y Tratamiento del Dolor, Grupo de Excelencia Investigadora URJC-Banco de Santander, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
- La Paz Hospital Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Susan Armijo-Olivo
- Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, University of Applied Sciences, 30A, 49076 Osnabruck, Germany
- Faculties of Rehabilitation Medicine and Medicine and Dentistry, 3-48 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada
| | - Carlos Goicoechea Garcia
- Area of Pharmacology, Nutrition and Bromatology, Department of Basic Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Unidad Asociada I+D+i Instituto de Química Médica (IQM) CSIC-URJC, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
- High Performance Experimental Pharmacology Research Group, Rey Juan Carlos University (PHARMAKOM), 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
- Grupo Multidisciplinar de Investigación y Tratamiento del Dolor, Grupo de Excelencia Investigadora URJC-Banco de Santander, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
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Gevers-Montoro C, Provencher B, Descarreaux M, Ortega de Mues A, Piché M. Clinical Effectiveness and Efficacy of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation for Spine Pain. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2021; 2:765921. [PMID: 35295422 PMCID: PMC8915715 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2021.765921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Spine pain is a highly prevalent condition affecting over 11% of the world's population. It is the single leading cause of activity limitation and ranks fourth in years lost to disability globally, representing a significant personal, social, and economic burden. For the vast majority of patients with back and neck pain, a specific pathology cannot be identified as the cause for their pain, which is then labeled as non-specific. In a growing proportion of these cases, pain persists beyond 3 months and is referred to as chronic primary back or neck pain. To decrease the global burden of spine pain, current data suggest that a conservative approach may be preferable. One of the conservative management options available is spinal manipulative therapy (SMT), the main intervention used by chiropractors and other manual therapists. The aim of this narrative review is to highlight the most relevant and up-to-date evidence on the effectiveness (as it compares to other interventions in more pragmatic settings) and efficacy (as it compares to inactive controls under highly controlled conditions) of SMT for the management of neck pain and low back pain. Additionally, a perspective on the current recommendations on SMT for spine pain and the needs for future research will be provided. In summary, SMT may be as effective as other recommended therapies for the management of non-specific and chronic primary spine pain, including standard medical care or physical therapy. Currently, SMT is recommended in combination with exercise for neck pain as part of a multimodal approach. It may also be recommended as a frontline intervention for low back pain. Despite some remaining discrepancies, current clinical practice guidelines almost universally recommend the use of SMT for spine pain. Due to the low quality of evidence, the efficacy of SMT compared with a placebo or no treatment remains uncertain. Therefore, future research is needed to clarify the specific effects of SMT to further validate this intervention. In addition, factors that predict these effects remain to be determined to target patients who are more likely to obtain positive outcomes from SMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Gevers-Montoro
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Cognition, Neurosciences, Affect et Comportement (CogNAC) Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Madrid College of Chiropractic—Real Centro Universitario (RCU) María Cristina, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain
| | - Benjamin Provencher
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Cognition, Neurosciences, Affect et Comportement (CogNAC) Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Martin Descarreaux
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- GRAN Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Arantxa Ortega de Mues
- Madrid College of Chiropractic—Real Centro Universitario (RCU) María Cristina, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain
| | - Mathieu Piché
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Cognition, Neurosciences, Affect et Comportement (CogNAC) Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Mathieu Piché
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Gevers-Montoro C, Provencher B, Descarreaux M, Ortega de Mues A, Piché M. Neurophysiological mechanisms of chiropractic spinal manipulation for spine pain. Eur J Pain 2021; 25:1429-1448. [PMID: 33786932 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Together, neck pain and back pain are the first cause of disability worldwide, accounting for more than 10% of the total years lived with disability. In this context, chiropractic care provides a safe and effective option for the management of a large proportion of these patients. Chiropractic is a healthcare profession mainly focused on the spine and the treatment of spinal disorders, including spine pain. Basic studies have examined the influence of chiropractic spinal manipulation (SM) on a variety of peripheral, spinal and supraspinal mechanisms involved in spine pain. While spinal cord mechanisms of pain inhibition contribute at least partly to the pain-relieving effects of chiropractic treatments, the evidence is weaker regarding peripheral and supraspinal mechanisms, which are important components of acute and chronic pain. This narrative review highlights the most relevant mechanisms of pain relief by SM and provides a perspective for future research on SM and spine pain, including the validation of placebo interventions that control for placebo effects and other non-specific effects that may be induced by SM. SIGNIFICANCE: Spinal manipulation inhibits back and neck pain partly through spinal segmental mechanisms and potentially through peripheral mechanisms regulating inflammatory responses. Other mechanisms remain to be clarified. Controls and placebo interventions need to be improved in order to clarify the contribution of specific and non-specific effects to pain relief by spinal manipulative therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Gevers-Montoro
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada.,CogNAC Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada.,Madrid College of Chiropractic - RCU María Cristina, Madrid, Spain
| | - Benjamin Provencher
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada.,CogNAC Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Martin Descarreaux
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada.,GRAN Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | | | - Mathieu Piché
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada.,CogNAC Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
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Chiropraktische Behandlung von Kopfschmerzen. MANUELLE MEDIZIN 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00337-017-0327-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Puhl AA, Reinhart CJ, Doan JB, Vernon H. The quality of placebos used in randomized, controlled trials of lumbar and pelvic joint thrust manipulation-a systematic review. Spine J 2017; 17:445-456. [PMID: 27888138 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) has been attributed with substantial non-specific effects. Accurate assessment of the non-specific effects of SMT relies on high-quality studies with low risk of bias that compare with appropriate placebos. PURPOSE This review aims to characterize the types and qualities of placebo control procedures used in controlled trials of manually applied, lumbar and pelvic (LP)-SMT, and to evaluate the assessment of subject blinding and expectations. STUDY DESIGN This is a systematic review of randomized, placebo-controlled trials. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Index to Chiropractic Literature, and relevant bibliographies. We included randomized, placebo or sham-controlled trials where the index treatment was manually applied LP-SMT. There were no restrictions on the type of condition being investigated. Two independent reviewers selected the studies, assessed study quality, and extracted the data. Relevant data were the type and quality of placebo control(s) used, the assessment of blinding and expectations, and the results of those assessments. RESULTS Twenty-five randomized, placebo-controlled trials were included in this review. There were 18 trials that used a sham manual SMT procedure for their placebo control intervention; the most common approach was with an SMT setup but without the application of any thrust. One small pilot study used an unequivocally indistinguishable placebo, two trials used placebos that had been validated as inert a priori, and eight trials reported on the success of subject blinding. Risk of bias was high or unclear, for all included studies. CONCLUSIONS Imperfect placebos are ubiquitous in clinical trials of LP-SMT, and few trials have assessed for successful subject blinding or balanced expectations of treatment success between active and control group subjects. There is thus a strong potential for unmasking of control subjects, unequal non-specific effects between active and control groups, and non-inert placebos in existing trials. Future trials should consider assessing the success of subject blinding and ensuring inertness of their placebo a priori, as a minimum standard for quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron A Puhl
- Private Practice, Able Body Health Clinic, 1212 - 3rd Ave South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 0J9, Canada.
| | - Christine J Reinhart
- Private Practice, Able Body Health Clinic, 1212 - 3rd Ave South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 0J9, Canada
| | - Jon B Doan
- Engineering and Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 6T5, Canada
| | - Howard Vernon
- Division of Research, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, 6100 Leslie Street North York, Toronto, Ontario M2H 3J1, Canada
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Gorrell LM, Beath K, Engel RM. Manual and Instrument Applied Cervical Manipulation for Mechanical Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2016; 39:319-329. [PMID: 27180949 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2016.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Revised: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 2 different cervical manipulation techniques for mechanical neck pain (MNP). METHODS Participants with MNP of at least 1 month's duration (n = 65) were randomly allocated to 3 groups: (1) stretching (control), (2) stretching plus manually applied manipulation (MAM), and (3) stretching plus instrument-applied manipulation (IAM). MAM consisted of a single high-velocity, low-amplitude cervical chiropractic manipulation, whereas IAM involved the application of a single cervical manipulation using an (Activator IV) adjusting instrument. Preintervention and postintervention measurements were taken of all outcomes measures. Pain was the primary outcome and was measured using visual analogue scale and pressure pain thresholds. Secondary outcomes included cervical range of motion, hand grip-strength, and wrist blood pressure. Follow-up subjective pain scores were obtained via telephone text message 7 days postintervention. RESULTS Subjective pain scores decreased at 7-day follow-up in the MAM group compared with control (P = .015). Cervical rotation bilaterally (ipsilateral: P = .002; contralateral: P = .015) and lateral flexion on the contralateral side to manipulation (P = .001) increased following MAM. Hand grip-strength on the contralateral side to manipulation (P = .013) increased following IAM. No moderate or severe adverse events were reported. Mild adverse events were reported on 6 occasions (control, 4; MAM, 1; IAM, 1). CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that a single cervical manipulation is capable of producing immediate and short-term benefits for MNP. The study also demonstrates that not all manipulative techniques have the same effect and that the differences may be mediated by neurological or biomechanical factors inherent to each technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay M Gorrell
- Sessional Academic, Department of Chiropractic, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kenneth Beath
- Lecturer, Department of Statistics, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Roger M Engel
- Senior Lecturer, Department of Chiropractic, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Boucher MP, Lefebvre C, Chapados NA. The effects of PCB126 on intra-hepatic mechanisms associated with non alcoholic fatty liver disease. J Diabetes Metab Disord 2015; 14:88. [PMID: 26693162 PMCID: PMC4676123 DOI: 10.1186/s40200-015-0218-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Background Non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) results from alteration in lipid synthesis and elimination mechanisms such as very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL) production and de novo lipogenesis. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are chemicals that were mostly used historically as pesticides, solvents, flame retardant, and other applications. Among POPs, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) have been recognized to be of environmental and potential toxicologic concerns. Specifically, PCB126 could act as endocrine disruptors and has recently been associated with hepatic fat accumulation. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of PCB126 on the molecular development of NAFLD using hepatocyte and rat models. Methods Hepatocytes were exposed to PCB 126 for 72 h and lipid accumulation in cells was quantified by Oil-Red-O. Rats were injected with a single dose of PCB126 or vehicle. Seven days later, liver triglycerides (TAG) content was measured along with protein quantification of hepatic microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) and diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT-2). Results Exposure to PCB126 resulted in significant increases of lipid accumulation in hepatocytes (38 %, P <0.05) and hepatic TAG concentrations (64 %, P <0.001) in rats compared to respective control groups. Rats with fatty livers depicted lower MTP (40 %, P <0.02), higher SREBP1c (27 %, P < 0.05) and DGAT-2 (120 %, P < 0.02) protein content levels compared to Placebo group in rats. Conclusions It seems that exposure to PCB126 has an important emerging role in the pathophysiology of NAFLD by 1) altering elimination mechanisms such as VLDL synthesis and secretion, through MTP; and 2) increasing hepatic TAG synthesis mechanisms through DGAT 2 and SREBP1c.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Natalie Ann Chapados
- Institut de recherche de l`Hôpital Montfort, Hôpital Montfort, 713 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON K1K 0T2 Canada ; School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON Canada
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Vernon H, Triano JT, Soave D, Dinulos M, Ross K, Tran S. Retention of blinding at follow-up in a randomized clinical study using a sham-control cervical manipulation procedure for neck pain: secondary analyses from a randomized clinical study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2013; 36:522-6. [PMID: 24011656 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2013.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2012] [Revised: 06/25/2013] [Accepted: 06/27/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Participants in clinical trials of spinal manipulation have not been rigorously blinded to group assignment. This study reports on secondary analyses of the retention of participant blinding beyond the immediate posttreatment time frame following a single-session, randomized clinical study. A novel control cervical manipulation procedure that has previously been shown to be therapeutically inert was contrasted with a typical manipulation procedure. METHODS A randomized clinical study of a single session of typical vs sham-control manipulation in patients with chronic neck pain was conducted. Findings of self-reported group registration at 24 to 48 hours posttreatment were computed. The Blinding Index (BI) of Bang et al was then applied to both the immediate and post-24- to 48-hour results. RESULTS Twenty-four to 48 hours after treatment, 94% and 22% of participants in the typical and control groups, respectively, correctly identified their group assignment. When analyzed with the BI of Bang et al, the immediate posttreatment BI for the group receiving a typical manipulation was 0.22 (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.03 to 0.47); for the group receiving a control manipulation, it was 0.19 (95% CI, -0.06 to 0.43). The BI at post-24 hours was as follows: typical = 0.75 (95% CI, 0.59-0.91) and control = -0.34 (95% CI, -0.58 to -0.11). CONCLUSIONS This study found that the novel sham-control cervical manipulation procedure may be effective in blinding sham group allocation up to 48 hours posttreatment. It appears that, at 48 hours posttreatment, the modified form of the typical cervical manipulation was not. The sham-control procedure appears to be a promising procedure for future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard Vernon
- Professor, CMCC, Research Division, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Srbely JZ, Vernon H, Lee D, Polgar M. Immediate Effects of Spinal Manipulative Therapy on Regional Antinociceptive Effects in Myofascial Tissues in Healthy Young Adults. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2013; 36:333-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2013.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2012] [Revised: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/15/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Vernon H, Triano JJ, Ross K, Tran S, Soave D, Dinulos M. Validation of a novel sham cervical manipulation procedure. Spine J 2012; 12:1021-8. [PMID: 23158966 PMCID: PMC3513586 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2012.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2011] [Revised: 07/31/2012] [Accepted: 10/09/2012] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT No clinical trial of spinal manipulation for chronic neck pain (NP), for either single or multiple intervention session(s), has used an effective manual sham-manipulation control group. PURPOSE Validate a practical sham cervical high-velocity low-amplitude spinal manipulation. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Randomized experimental validation study in an institutional clinical research laboratory. PATIENT SAMPLE Eligible subjects were males and females, 18 to 60 years of age with mechanical NP (as defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain Classification) of at least 3 months' duration. Subjects with arm pain, any pathologic cause of NP, or any contraindication to spinal manipulation were excluded. OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the patient's self-report or registration of group allocation after treatment. Secondary outcomes were numerical rating scale-101 for NP, range of motion (ROM; by goniometer), and tenderness (by pressure algometry). METHODS Eligible subjects were randomly allocated to one of two groups: real cervical manipulation (RM) or sham cervical manipulation (SM). All subjects were given two procedures in sequence, either RM+SM or SM+SM. Immediately after the two procedures, subjects were asked to register any pain experienced during the procedures and to identify their treatment group allocation. Force-time profiles were recorded during all procedures. Secondary clinical outcome measures were obtained at baseline, 5 and 15 minutes after the intervention, including ROM, self-report of pain, and local spinous process tenderness. Data for each variable were summarized and tested for normality in distribution. Summary statistics were obtained for each variable and statistically tested. RESULTS Sixty-seven subjects were randomized. Data from 64 subjects (32 per group) were available for analysis. There were no significant differences between the groups at baseline. One adverse event occurred in the "real" group, which was a mild posttreatment pain reaction lasting less than 24 hours. In the RM group, 50% of subjects incorrectly registered their treatment allocation; in the sham group, 53% did so. For the SM group, none of the procedures resulted in cavitation, whereas in the RM group, 87% of procedures resulted in cavitation. There were no significant changes between groups on pain, tenderness, or ROM. Force-time profiles of the RM and SM procedures demonstrated fidelity with significant differences between components as intended. CONCLUSIONS The novel sham procedure has been shown to be effective in masking subjects to group allocation and to be clinically inert with respect to common outcomes in the immediate posttreatment stage. Further research on serial applications and for multiple operators is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard Vernon
- Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, 6100 Leslie Street, Toronto, Ontario, M2H 3J1,Corresponding Author: , Tel: 416-482-2340; FAX: 416-482-2560
| | - John J. Triano
- Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, 6100 Leslie Street, Toronto, Ontario, M2H 3J1,Rehabilitation Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S4L8
| | - Kim Ross
- Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, 6100 Leslie Street, Toronto, Ontario, M2H 3J1
| | - Steven Tran
- Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, 6100 Leslie Street, Toronto, Ontario, M2H 3J1
| | - David Soave
- Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, 6100 Leslie Street, Toronto, Ontario, M2H 3J1
| | - Maricelle Dinulos
- Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, 6100 Leslie Street, Toronto, Ontario, M2H 3J1
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