This study aims to assess the immediate effects of action observation therapy on the cervical muscles' strength, pain intensity, tactile acuity and pain pressure threshold in individuals with chronic nonspecific neck pain.
This study is a randomized controlled trial with two arms: action observation group vs control group. The action observation group will be asked to watch videos of neck exercises with full attention and concentration and not perform any motion or execute any movement during the observation time. The control group will be asked to watch videos of a landscape. Participants will be assessed at baseline and at post-intervention for muscle strength, pain intensity, pressure pain threshold and tactile acuity.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
Action observation therapy involves the observation and perception of human movement performed by others. The observation of actions performed by others activates in the perceiver the same neural structures responsible for the actual execution of those same actions.
Participants will watch a natural landscape without any human.
School of Health Sciences, University of Aveiro
Aveiro, Portugal
Pressure pain thresholds
Pressure pain thresholds are the minimum amount of pressure applied with an algometer that is perceived as being painful; is measured in Kgf
Time frame: Baseline
Pressure pain thresholds
Pressure pain thresholds are the minimum amount of pressure applied with an algometer that is perceived as being painful; is measured in Kgf
Time frame: Post-intervention (within the same session of the baseline assessment but approximately 30 minutes after that).
Pain intensity
Measured with a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale
Time frame: Baseline
Pain intensity
Measured with a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale
Time frame: Post-intervention (within the same session of the baseline assessment but approximately 30 minutes after that).
Tactile acuity
Assessed as the ability of the participant to distinguish two points using a caliper and the measurement units is millimetres.
Time frame: Baseline
Tactile acuity
Assessed as the ability of the participant to distinguish two points using a caliper and the measurement units is millimetres.
Time frame: Post-intervention (within the same session of the baseline assessment but approximately 30 minutes after that).
Neck flexors strength
A dynamometer will be used against the forehead of the participants to quantify the isometric strength and units of measurement will be Newtons.
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Time frame: Baseline
Neck flexors strength
A dynamometer will be used against the forehead of the participants to quantify the isometric strength and units of measurement will be Newtons.
Time frame: Post-intervention (within the same session of the baseline assessment but approximately 30 minutes after that).
Neck extensors strength
A dynamometer will be used against the posterior part of the head of the participants to quantify the isometric strength and units of measurement will be Newtons.
Time frame: Baseline
Neck extensors strength
A dynamometer will be used against the posterior part of the head of the participants to quantify the isometric strength and units of measurement will be Newtons.
Time frame: Post-intervention (within the same session of the baseline assessment but approximately 30 minutes after that).
Neck lateral flexors strength
A dynamometer will be used against the lateral aspect of the head of the participants to quantify the isometric strength and units of measurement will be Newtons.
Time frame: Baseline
Neck lateral flexors strength
A dynamometer will be used against the lateral aspect of the head of the participants to quantify the isometric strength and units of measurement will be Newtons.
Time frame: Post-intervention (within the same session of the baseline assessment but approximately 30 minutes after that).