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Chiropractic Care + Tai Chi for Chronic Neck Pain (CONNECKTCARE Trial)

N/A

Recruiting

Research Sponsored by Harvard University Faculty of Medicine

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Neck pain averaged over past week of 3 or more on numerical rating scale ranging from 0 to 10, with 10 described as 'worst neck pain imaginable'

Chronic nonspecific neck pain at least 5 days a week for at least 3 consecutive months

Must not have

Any disability precluding exercise practice

Currently, or having received chiropractic care in past 12 months

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up through study completion (an average of 18 months)

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests if combining chiropractic care and Tai Chi can reduce chronic neck pain in adults.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for adults with chronic non-specific neck pain that occurs at least 5 days a week for over 3 months, with moderate to severe intensity. Participants must not have had chiropractic care or practiced Tai Chi regularly in the past year and should be free from major illnesses, unstable medical conditions, recent spinal procedures, or involvement in litigation related to disability/accident claims.

What is being tested?

The study is testing if combining chiropractic care with Tai Chi training can help reduce pain and disability in people suffering from chronic non-specific neck pain. It's a feasibility project where participants will receive either this combined treatment or enhanced usual care.

What are the potential side effects?

While specific side effects are not listed for this trial, typical risks may include temporary soreness from chiropractic adjustments and muscle strain from Tai Chi exercises.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

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My neck pain has been 3 or more on a scale of 0 to 10 over the last week.

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I have had neck pain almost every day for the last 3 months.

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My neck pain affects my daily activities.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

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I have a disability that prevents me from exercising.

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I have seen a chiropractor within the last year.

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I do not have any major illness or mental health condition that needs immediate treatment.

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I have neck pain with unstable nerve pain.

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I have had a stroke or an artery dissection.

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I have signs of spinal cord issues, neck artery sounds, or a condition causing extra flexible joints.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ through study completion (an average of 18 months)

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~through study completion (an average of 18 months)

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and through study completion (an average of 18 months) for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Intervention adherence

Recruitment rate

Retention rate

Secondary study objectives

Bothersomeness of pain

Disability

Fear of Movement

+8 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

3Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Chiropractic Care, Tai Chi, and EUCExperimental Treatment3 Interventions

Participants assigned to this arm will receive 10 sessions of chiropractic care over 16 weeks, administered by chiropractors at collaborating clinics in the Greater Boston area. Participants assigned to this arm will also be enrolled in a community-based TC program. Participants will also be given a neck-pain self-care book that explains common causes and management strategies for neck pain.

Group II: EUCActive Control1 Intervention

Individuals assigned to the EUC alone group will be asked to continue their usual medical care as prescribed by their physician for 16 weeks. In addition, they will be asked to not seek chiropractic care or TC during the study. Participants will also be given a neck-pain self-care book that explains common causes and management strategies for neck pain. We will also provide this arm of participants with increased attention in the form of biweekly calls from the study research assistants.

Group III: Chiropractic care and EUCActive Control2 Interventions

Participants assigned to the chiropractic care+EUC arm will receive 10 sessions of chiropractic care over 16 weeks administered by chiropractors at collaborating clinics in the Greater Boston area. Participants will also be given a neck-pain self-care book that explains common causes and management strategies for neck pain.

0 / 9Eligibility criteria met