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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Study protocol

The effectiveness and cost-evaluation of manual therapy and physical therapy in patients with sub-acute and chronic non specific neck pain. Rationale and design of a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

Authors: Ruud Groeneweg, Hans Kropman, Huco Leopold, Luite van Assen, Jan Mulder, Maurits W van Tulder, Rob AB Oostendorp

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

Manual Therapy applied to patients with non specific neck pain has been investigated several times. In the Netherlands, manual therapy as applied according to the Utrecht School of Manual Therapy (MTU) has not been the subject of a randomized controlled trial. MTU differs in diagnoses and treatment from other forms of manual therapy.

Methods/Design

This is a single blind randomized controlled trial in patients with sub-acute and chronic non specific neck pain. Patients with neck complaints existing for two weeks (minimum) till one year (maximum) will participate in the trial. 180 participants will be recruited in thirteen primary health care centres in the Netherlands.
The experimental group will be treated with MTU during a six week period. The control group will be treated with physical therapy (standard care, mainly active exercise therapy), also for a period of six weeks.
Primary outcomes are Global Perceived Effect (GPE) and functional status (Neck Disability Index (NDI-DV)). Secondary outcomes are neck pain (Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)), Eurocol, costs and quality of life (SF36).

Discussion

This paper presents details on the rationale of MTU, design, methods and operational aspects of the trial.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00713843
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
The effectiveness and cost-evaluation of manual therapy and physical therapy in patients with sub-acute and chronic non specific neck pain. Rationale and design of a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Authors
Ruud Groeneweg
Hans Kropman
Huco Leopold
Luite van Assen
Jan Mulder
Maurits W van Tulder
Rob AB Oostendorp
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-11-14

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