The effectiveness of physiotherapy on patients with dizziness and pain caused by a neck problem
The identification and treatment with manual therapy of patients with cervicogenic dizziness and pain
University of Newcastle
90 participants
Apr 27, 2010
Interventional
Conditions
Summary
The aim of this study is to conduct a randomised controlled trial to compare two forms of manual therapy against each other and to a placebo in reducing symptoms of cervicogenic dizziness (imbalance and neck pain) in the longer term. Although these are standard treatments in physiotherapy practice they have not been fully evaluated. Outcome measures will be five self-report questionnaires, keeping a diary and measurements of neck range-of-motion, head repositioning and balance.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria3
- -90 years old
- has dizziness described as imbalance related to neck movements or positions and/or with a stiff and/or painful neck
- has had the symptoms greater than three months
Exclusion Criteria15
- The participant should be free of any known conditions that would put them at risk of injury:
- a history of inflammatory joint disease
- spinal cord pathology
- cervical spine infection
- bony disease or marked osteoporosis
- marked cervical spine disc protrusion
- cervical spine cancer
- acute nerve root symptoms (severe pain, weakness, pins and needles or numbness in the arm or hand for less than 6 weeks)
- recent fracture/dislocation of the neck (in the last 3 months)
- previous surgery to the upper cervical spine
- Participants will also be excluded if they have other compounding factors:
- physiotherapy or similar treatment to the neck in the previous month
- pregnancy
- compensable cases
- inability to speak or read English
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Interventions
Participants will be randomly allocated to cervical Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides (SNAGs) as described by Brian Mulligan, passive joint mobilisation as described by Geoff Maitland or placebo groups. AThe first group of participants will receive SNAGS as described by Brian Mulligan (Mulligan, 2004). The participant, in the sitting position, is asked to move his head in the direction that produces their symptoms. The participant is to stop if any dizziness is reproduced. During the application of the mobilization, the participant should stay symptom-free. As the patient moves their head the physiotherapist gently glides the C1 or C2 vertebra and sustains the glide through the movement. passive joint mobilisation or Maitland mobilisation is where the therapist uses his thumbs to rhythmically apply pressure to a vertebra. Participants will receive two to six treatments (15 -45 mins) by an experienced physiotherapist over three to six weeks at the discretion of the treating therapist.
Locations(1)
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ACTRN12611000073909