The purpose of this study is to termine if a different attentional focus would alter the motor control in cervical muscles during the cranio-cervical test.
Asymptomatic subjects will be recruited to this study. Superficial electromyography of the Sternocleidomastoid, Range of Motion (ROM) and Cranio-Cervical Flexion Test (CCFT) will be measured before, immediately after change in focus of attention, 2 days after training under a particular focus of attention, and 7 days after training the task under the same focus of attention. Subjects will be randomized into three groups: Internal focus of attention, external focus of attention and control group.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
90
Information already included in arm/group descriptions.
Information already included in arm/group descriptions.
Information already included in arm/group descriptions.
Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde
Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Change from baseline in Electromyographic Activity of Sternocleidomastoid
The Electromyography (EMG) signal amplitude will be determined by the root mean square (RMS) value computed over intervals of 1 s during each 10-s contraction. RMS will be expressed as a percentage of the maximum RMS value during the reference voluntary contraction.
Time frame: Baseline, Immediately after baseline, Post-Training (2 days after the baseline), Retention (7 days after finished training)
Cranio-cervical Range of Motion
A neutral position and full range of active cranio-cervical flexion photograph will be taken using a digital camera. That camera will be positioned on a tripod horizontally parallel to the subject's head/neck region at a distance of 80 cm, anatomical markers positioned on the tragus of the ear, the mental protuberance of the mandible and the lateral aspect of the neck. Photos will be taken when the subject reached each level of the craniocervical flexion test. The Cranio-cervical Range of Motion will be expressed as relative percentage of degrees compared to the full range of motion.
Time frame: Baseline, Immediately after baseline, Post-Training (2 days after the baseline), Retention (7 days after finished training)
Cranio-Cervical Flexion Test Performance
Subjects will instructed to reach each one of the five stages (22-30 mmHg) of the test and hold the pressure as steady as possible for 10s. The stage will be mark as successful if the participant reaches the stage level and hold steady the pressure during the 10-s contrition. However, the individuals that reaches the stage-aimed pressure but are unable to maintain the pressure stable during the 10s contraction or use compensating strategies will be marked as unsuccessful.
Time frame: Baseline, Immediately after baseline, Post-Training (2 days after the baseline), Retention (7 days after finished training)
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