Effectiveness of cervical osteopathic manipulation techniques of high velocity and low amplitude in patients with whiplash-associated disorders
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN87221762 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN87221762 |
| Protocol serial number | N/A |
| Sponsor | The Osteopathic Centre, Terrassa (Centre d'osteopatia Terrassa) (Spain) |
| Funders | The Osteopathic Centre, Terrassa (Centre d'osteopatia Terrassa) (Spain), Health Consortium of Terrassa (Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa) (Spain) |
- Submission date
- 14/05/2014
- Registration date
- 21/07/2014
- Last edited
- 18/12/2017
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Musculoskeletal Diseases
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden movement forward, backward or sideways movement of the head. It often happens after a sudden impact from, for example, a road traffic accident and results in damage to the ligaments and tendons in the neck. Road traffic accidents and their effects on social-health costs are an important problem for society. Whiplash and whiplash associated disorders (WAD for example pain, reduced range of neck movement, neurological damage and even fracture) are the number one reason for people visiting the emergency room after being involved in a road traffic accident. Osteopathic high velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) techniques, and mobilization techniques of the cervical spine, either alone or combined with other treatments, are methods used to treat neck problems. Both treatments result in similar short term changes, but there is not enough data to assess their long-term effects, making it difficult to develop the best technique and when and how long the treatments should be applied. The aim of this study is to precisely and objectively contribute to the knowledge available on how good HVLA techniques are at treating whiplash and WAD. HVLA techniques are compared with other physiotherapy techniques, looking at how long the treatments are needed, the degree of pain relief they offer, how much they improve the function and mobility of the spine and analysing radiological changes in cervical curvature.
Who can participate?
Patients aged 18 to 65 with WAD admitted to the Osteopathic Centre in Terrassa.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated into one of two groups. Those in the study group receive HVLA treatment and the control group receive conventional manual osteopathic therapy and therapeutic exercises. The results from the two groups are then compared to assess how well they treat whiplash and WAD.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants are unlikely to directly benefit from the study, but the results could help future sufferers of whiplash, resulting in better management of their symptoms and avoiding excessive procedures. The risks associated with this study are rare and generally mild, but include some neurodegenerative reactions (sweating, low blood pressure, feeling sick and/or rapid heart rate) during, or immediately after, the therapy.
Where is the study run from?
Health Consortium of Terrassa (Spain)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
May 2014 to December 2015
Who is funding the study?
The Osteopathic Centre, Terrassa and the Health Consortium of Terrassa (Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa) (Spain)
Who is the main contact?
Mr Joan Parera
Joanpt1@gmail.com
Contact information
Scientific
Sant Marian 99 5-2
Terrassa
08221
Spain
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-3969-2433 |
|---|---|
| joanpt1@gmail.com |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomized controlled single-blind trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Research project on the effectiveness of cervical OSTEOpathic manipulation techniques of high velocity and low amplitude in patients with whiplash-associated disorders: a Randomized Controlled single-blind Trial |
| Study acronym | OSTEO-RCT |
| Study objectives | Patients who have suffered cervical whiplash, specific osteopathic techniques to adjust the treatment, of high velocity and low amplitude (SAT-HVLA) of the cervical spine, obtain better results than those treated with combined treatments found in cervical therapeutic exercise manuals. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Ethics Committee at the Health Consortium of Terrassa - Terrassa Hospital (Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa Hospital de Terrassa), 20/12/2013 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Whiplash associated disorders (WAD) |
| Intervention | The participants are randomised to two groups: 1. Treatment: The technique of choice, will be the Specific Adjusting Technique (SAT). This is a High Velocity Low Amplitude Technique, whose objective is to reverse the injury caused by the trauma. Throughout the trial we will make three interventions with SAT (one every two weeks) In the first intervention, we will manipulate the upper cervical segment (C2/C3) In the second intervention, we will manipulate the low cervical segment (C5/C6) In the third intervention, we will manipulate the upper thoracic segment (T1/T2) 2. Control: The participants will receive conventional treatment, consisting in manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercises, over four weeks. Participants are followed up at 11 days, 30 days, and 110 days after treatment. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Current primary outcome measures as of 01/02/2017: |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Current secondary outcome measures as of 01/02/2017: |
| Completion date | 31/12/2015 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 148 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Patients ages 18 to 65 years presenting whiplash syndrome (WAD) 2. They must have radiological studies (A-P and lateral projections) with previous signed informed consent |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Chronic cervical pain 2. Bone pathology 3. Systemic pathologies (acute infections, cancerous or inflammatory processes) |
| Date of first enrolment | 22/05/2014 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/07/2015 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Spain
Study participating centre
Spain
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan | The current data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic results | 31/01/2017 | 15/02/2017 | No | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Additional files
- ISRCTN87221762_BasicResults_31Jan17.docx
- Uploaded 15/02/2017
Editorial Notes
18/12/2017: Internal review.
15/02/2017: Results summary uploaded.
