Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
The Alexander technique addresses the distribution and adaptivity of postural tone during everyday activity. This is thought to ameliorate pains and problems brought about by faulty habits of posture and movement. The goal of this study is to determine if group Alexander technique classes are as effective as a targeted exercise program for reducing chronic neck pain.
Who can participate?
Any adults over the age of 18 who score above 16% on a neck pain questionnaire, have had neck pain for over 3-months, are not receiving specialized care, and can attend the classes are welcome to participate.
What does the study involve?
The study involves an initial baseline screening, either 10 Alexander Technique classes or exercises class, a screening immediately following the classes, and a final screening 6 weeks after the classes end. Each screening will take 1-hour and involves 2 questionnaires, an assessment to record neck muscle activity, and playing a video-game for 5 minutes.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The possible benefits of the study are decreased neck pain and progressing the knowledge of interventions that may help with neck pain. The possible risks are increased neck pain or injury.
Where is the study run from?
North Idaho Athletic Club (USA) and the University of Idaho (USA)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
From September 2017 to May 2018
Who is funding the study?
University of Idaho (USA)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Rajal Cohen
rcohen@uidaho.edu
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Dr Rajal Cohen
ORCID ID
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6691-2561
Contact details
Department of Psychology & Communication Studies
University of Idaho MS 3043
Moscow
83844
United States of America
+1 208-885-1073
rcohen@uidaho.edu
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
Nil known
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Nil known
Protocol/serial number
17-164
Study information
Scientific title
Alexander technique versus targeted exercise for neck pain
Acronym
Study hypothesis
The Alexander Technique group, relative to the exercise group, will show reduced activity of the superficial neck flexors and reduced neck pain after the intervention.
Ethics approval
Approved 08/09/2017, University of Idaho Institutional Review Board (875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, Idaho, 83844, USA; +1 208-885-6340; irb@uidaho.edu), ref: 010629
Study design
Two-group quasi-randomized pretest-posttest design
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Quasi-randomized controlled trial
Trial setting
Community
Trial type
Treatment
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet.
Condition
Neck pain
Intervention
Participants will be assigned quasi-randomly to groups, based in part on their availability to attend either Monday-Wednesday or Tuesday-Thursday evening class sessions. One group will receive ten Alexander technique classes and the other group will ten receive exercise classes, over 5 weeks.
The AT classes will include information on basic biomechanical and ergonomic principles (including the anatomy of the neck, spine, and major joints of the upper and lower limbs) and benefits of widening awareness to include both the self and the environment during activity. In addition, participants will be guided in self-observation during common daily activities such as standing, sitting, computer work, personal care tasks, and household chores.
The exercise intervention exercises will be aimed at retraining the use of the deep cervical flexors, strengthening postural muscles, and increasing range of motion. The therapeutic retraining component will be based on an adaptation of the protocol described by Jull et al. Participants will place the backs of their necks on a rolled towel and gently rotated their heads as if nodding ‘yes’, with a goal of activating the deep cervical flexors rather than surface neck flexors. Postural strengthening exercises will include the use of dumbbells and resistance bands (Theraband®, Akron, OH) to target the trapezius and upper-back muscles. The trapezius and anterior neck muscles will be stretched to increase mobility. Each exercise class will include 10 minutes of light stretching, followed by 45 minutes of retraining and strength exercises aimed at promoting a more upright posture.
Follow-up measurements will be taken immediately after the interventions end, and 6 weeks after the interventions end.
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
Neck disability measured using the Northwick park questionnaire at baseline, 5, and 11 weeks
Secondary outcome measures
1. Superficial muscle activity will be measured using the CCFT at baseline, 5, and 11 weeks
2. Self-efficacy will be measured using the Pain Self Efficacy questionnaire at baseline, 5, and 11 weeks
3. Intervention assessment will be measured using a questionnaire assessing impressions of the interventions will be administered after completion of the course
4. Video-game posture will be measured using photos at baseline, 5, and 11 weeks
Overall trial start date
08/09/2017
Overall trial end date
01/05/2018
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Score 16% or higher on the Neck Disability Index
2. Had at least 3 months of neck pain
3. Not currently receiving specialized care
4. Available for the scheduled class times
Participant type
Healthy volunteer
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
30
Total final enrolment
16
Participant exclusion criteria
Does not meet inclusion criteria
Recruitment start date
01/01/2018
Recruitment end date
01/02/2018
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United States of America
Trial participating centre
North Idaho Athletic Club
408 S Main St
Moscow
83843
United States of America
Trial participating centre
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Dr
Moscow
83844
United States of America
Sponsor information
Organisation
University of Idaho
Sponsor details
875 Perimeter Drive
Moscow
83844
United States of America
+1 208-885-6340
irb@uidaho.edu
Sponsor type
Research council
Website
Funders
Funder type
University/education
Funder name
University of Idaho
Alternative name(s)
UI, U of I
Funding Body Type
private sector organisation
Funding Body Subtype
Universities (academic only)
Location
United States of America
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Planned publication in an open-access journal.
IPD sharing statement:
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Rajal Cohen (rcohen@uidaho.edu) and will be shared by email. Individual requesting data may access the data indefinitely. Consent from participants was obtained and all the data has been de-identified.
Intention to publish date
01/11/2020
Participant level data
Available on request
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list