Real-time Ultrasound Imaging as Feedback for Deep Cervical Extensors Activation

NCT04201483 — Phase 2 / Phase 3, Unknown, 30 participants, University of Valencia

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Registry	NCT04201483
Status	Unknown
Phase	Phase 2 / Phase 3
Study type	Interventional; randomized, parallel, masking: single, treatment
Enrollment	30 (Estimated)
Sponsor	University of Valencia (Other)
Conditions	Neck Disorder
Interventions	DCE without RUSI feedback, DCE + RUSI feedback about performance (Other)
Dates	start 2019-12-05, primary completion 2020-02-20 (estimated), completion 2020-04-20 (estimated), first posted 2019-12-17, last updated 2019-12-17
Locations	1 site in Spain

-Summary

The aim of this study will be to determine the value of adding real-time ultrasound imaging (RUSI) as an external feedback tool for teaching the contraction of the deep cervical extensors (DCE) in healthy subjects. The potential benefit of RUSI to facilitate activation of the DCE during a specific motor task as well as the retention capacity of this motor task after a short period of training will be investigated

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+Detailed description

Participants will be randomly allocated into two exercise groups: "DCE exercise without RUSI feedback (DCE)" and "DCE exercise with RUSI feedback (DCE+RUSI)".

Participants assigned to DCE will perform an exercise known to selectively activate the semispinalis cervicis muscles. By the other hand, participants in the DCE+RUSI group will perform the same exercise as the DCE group to selectively activate the semispinalis cervicis muscle but receiving RUSI feedback about correct performance. In both groups, a total of 10 sets of 10 repetitions will be performed with one minute of rest between each set.

Ultrasound measurement will be used to asses the antero-posterior dimension (thickness) of the DCE both at rest and during contraction at the level of C4 at baseline, immediately after the DCE exercise activation protocol and one-week follow-up in order to evaluate retention capacity.

All participants will be asked to not perform any other cervical motor control exercise or exercise using RUSI feedback until the last time point assessment will be finished.

All participants will be asked to avoid any exercises or treatments for neck pain between sessions.

All ultrasound images will be analysed off-line using Image J software. Thickness and percent thickness change will be measured. The percent thickness change will be calculated by using the following equation: thickness contracted - thickness rest / thickness rest.

+Arms and interventions

Arm	Type	Interventions	Description
DCE group	Active comparator	Other: DCE without RUSI feedback	DCE exercise without RUSI feedback
DCE + RUSI group	Experimental	Other: DCE + RUSI feedback about performance	DCE exercise with RUSI feedback

DCE without RUSI feedback (Other): Participants assigned to this group will perform an exercise known to selectively activate the semispinalis cervicis muscle
DCE + RUSI feedback about performance (Other): Participants in this group will perform the same exercise as the DCE group to selectively activate the semispinalis cervicis muscle but receiving RUSI feedback about correct performance

+Outcome measures

Primary outcomes

Deep cervical extensors function at baseline [Baseline]: Ultrasound measurements will be used to asses the antero-posterior dimension (thickness) of the deep cervical extensors both at rest and during contraction at the level of C4
Change of the deep cervical extensors function from baseline to immediately after intervention [From baseline to immediately after intervention]: Ultrasound measurements will be used to asses the antero-posterior dimension (thickness) of the deep cervical extensors both at rest and during contraction at the level of C4
Change of the deep cervical extensors function from baseline to one week after intervention [From baseline to one week after intervention]: Ultrasound measurements will be used to asses the antero-posterior dimension (thickness) of the deep cervical extensors both at rest and during contraction at the level of C4

+Eligibility

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to 55 Years, accepts healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

* No actual neck pain
* Being able to understand Spanish language

Exclusion Criteria:

* Neck pain in the last 3 months
* Previous surgery in the neck region
* Neurological diseases or any other condition that may alter voluntary muscle contraction
* Previous experience with cervical motor control training exercises
* Previous experience using RUSI as an external feedback tool in any other body area

+Locations (1)

Facility	City	Country	Status
Faculty of Physiotherapy. University of Valencia	Valencia	Spain	Recruiting