Heat Versus Ice in the Acute Management of Neck and Back Strain Injuries

Stony Brook University60 enrolled

Overview

Muscle sprains of the back and neck are very common. In addition to pain and antiinflammatory medications the use of either cold or hot packs has been recommended. In the current study we will compare ice packs and heat packs to see which is more effective at relieving pain from back and neck sprains while in the Emergency Department.

as above

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Back Strain Neck Strain

Interventions

HeatOTHER

Application of heat pack to the back or neck sprain.

ColdOTHER

Application of ice pack to the back or neck sprain.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Adult Patients with acute neck or back pain who are able to consent and are in pain on arrival to Emergency Department. Exclusion Criteria: * Those unable or unwilling to consent, those with suspected fractures or neurologic deficits.

Locations (1)

Stony Brook University Medical Center

Stony Brook, New York, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Pain Score After Treatment

Pain measured with validated 100 mm VAS with 0 representing no pain and 100 representing most severe pain imaginable

Time frame: 30 minutes

Secondary Outcomes

Request for Rescue Analgesia

Number of participants requesting a rescue analgesic be given

Time frame: 30 minutes

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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