Clinical Trial: Thoracic Paraspinal Soft Tissue Mobilizations in Treatment of Patients With Upper Limb Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Thoracic Paraspinal Soft Tissue Mobilizations in Treatment of Patients With Upper Limb Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Brief Summary: This study examines the prevalence of trigger points in muscles in the thorax in upper limb Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) patients, compared to healthy subjects. In addition, we will examine if adding treatment to muscles in the thoracic area (to the regular physical therapy treatment) will alleviate some of the sensitivity in the upper limb in CRPS patients.

Detailed Summary:

This study examines the prevalence of trigger points in muscles in the thorax in upper limb Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) patients, compared to healthy subjects. The muscles that will be examined are: Subclavius, Pectoralis minor, Rhomboids, Infraspinatus and Serratus superior posterior.

In addition, we will examine if adding treatment to muscles in the thoracic area (to the regular physical therapy treatment) will alleviate some of the sensitivity in the upper limb in CRPS patients.This will be examined in an A-B-A design: at first the patients will be examined. Then they will recieve conventional physiotherapy treatment for a month. After a month, they will be examined again, and then they will recieve soft tissue massage to the thoracic area for 15 minutes in addition to the conventional physiotherapy treatment. After a month of the combined treatment, the patients will be examined a third and final time.


Sponsor: Reuth Medical Center

Current Primary Outcome: Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire [ Time Frame: 10 minutes ]

Questionnaire that examines upper limb function


Original Primary Outcome:

  • Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire [ Time Frame: 10 minutes ]
    Questionnaire that examines upper limb function
  • NPRS [ Time Frame: 1 minute ]
    Numerical Pain Rating Scale
  • Pressure algometer [ Time Frame: 10 minutes ]
    pressure pain threshold
  • Allodynia in scapula, arm and forearm [ Time Frame: 5 minutes ]
    von Frey filaments


Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Goniometer [ Time Frame: 1 minute ]
    shoulder flexion range of motion
  • CRPS severity score (CSS) [ Time Frame: 20 minutes ]
    form filled by an MD after an interview and examination of a patient
  • skin rolling test [ Time Frame: 1 minute ]
  • trigger point examination [ Time Frame: 5 minutes ]
  • NPRS [ Time Frame: 1 minute ]
    Numerical Pain Rating Scale
  • Pressure algometer [ Time Frame: 10 minutes ]
    pressure pain threshold
  • Allodynia in scapula, arm and forearm [ Time Frame: 5 minutes ]
    von Frey filaments


Original Secondary Outcome:

  • Goniometer [ Time Frame: 1 minute ]
    shoulder flexion range of motion
  • CRPS severity score (CSS) [ Time Frame: 20 minutes ]
    form filled by an MD after an interview and examination of a patient
  • skin rolling test [ Time Frame: 1 minute ]
  • trigger point examination [ Time Frame: 5 minutes ]


Information By: Reuth Medical Center

Dates:
Date Received: April 7, 2017
Date Started: June 6, 2016
Date Completion: October 30, 2017
Last Updated: April 19, 2017
Last Verified: April 2017