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Balance, PosturalManEqNCT05475652

The Influence of Manual Therapy Applied to the Cervical Spine in the Prevention of Balance Disorders in the Elderly

A study testing Manual therapy in people with Balance, Postural and Gait, run by EZUS-LYON 1 at 1 site in France.

Unknown status

Status not confirmed. The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.

Official record
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Trial summary

Falling is a major trauma that can occur with aging, leading to very significant psychological and physical health effects with financial and societal consequences. It is therefore essential to explore therapeutic treatments that can reduce this risk. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 65 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Balance, Postural, Gait, Elderly
What is being tested?
Manual therapy
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
40 participants
Where
1 siteFrance
Study dates
4 Feb 2020to Dec 2022
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 65 years and older
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • 65 years of age or older, of either sex
  • Autonomous, able to walk ten meters alone without walking aid
  • Able to understand instructions necessary for the correct performance of the measurements.

Who cannot join

  • Patients suffering from a locomotor handicap or severe chronic progressive pathologies preventing the protocol from being carried out correctly
  • Patient who has an history of surgery - fracture - dislocation of the cervical spine
  • Patient who has cognitive impairments (Mini Mental Statement <20)
  • Patient who has life expectancy less than 6 months.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

France1 site
  • Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse

    Lyon, Rhône, 69004

Other trials in France

About this study

Official title: The Influence of Manual Therapy Applied to the Cervical Spine (Versus Light Touch) in the Prevention of Balance Disorders in the Elderly: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Falling is a major trauma that can occur with aging, leading to very significant psychological and physical health effects with financial and societal consequences. It is therefore essential to explore therapeutic treatments that can reduce this risk. Some recognized effective treatments exist, concerning in particular the re-education of the muscles of the lower limbs. However, to our knowledge, none of them focus on the cervical spine although the latter is located at an essential physiological crossroads. Manual therapy, which has already demonstrated its impact on pain and balance parameters in the elderly, could be a painless and non-invasive tool of choice in addressing this problem.

Read the detailed description

The main hypothesis of the present study is therefore that manual therapy applied to the cervical spine may have a beneficial impact on the balance and motor performance of seniors. The study also aims to propose an assessment of the physical parameters of balance, in order to validate the contribution of the cervical spine in compensatory mechanisms.

To do so, an interventional study was designed, monocentric, prospective, controlled, randomized double-blind (patient and evaluator performing the measurements). The experiment will take place over three measurement periods on D0, D7 and D21.

Being tested
Manual therapy, Placebo intervention
Keywords
senior;, gait, neck, myofascial release

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Manual therapyOther

    The manual therapy intervention is performed twice on the experimental group, once on day 0 (D0) and the second time on day 7 (D7). This intervention consists of a manual therapy protocol (base on myofascial release) applied to the cervical spine. Protocol consists of succession of techniques: suboccipital decompression, disengagement of Cervical 0-1-2,vibratory stimulation at C4 level and myofascial release technique of the cervical aponeuroses. Outcomes are evaluated before and after intervention.The same schedule will be reproduced on D7. On D21, only one assessment will be done at the beginning of the session.

  • Placebo interventionOther

    The Sham group receives placebo treatment twice (D0 and D7). This placebo treatment also called "light touch" treatment consists of applying light pressure with broad support from both hands on either side of the joint, in contact with the skin, without equal bone pressure or therapeutic intention, for a duration comparable to that of manual therapy. Outcomes are evaluation before and after placebo intervention. The same schedule will be reproduced at D7. On D21, only one assessment will be done at the beginning of the session and a manual therapy treatment on the cervical spine is provided to balance access to care in the two group

Study groups in NCT05475652
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Sham (ligth touch)Sham comparatorPlacebo intervention composed of light touch treatment on the cervical spine.
Receives: Other: Placebo intervention
Manual therapyExperimentalManual therapy applied to the cervical spine.
Receives: Other: Manual therapy

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. change of SPPB (Short Physical Performance Battery test) score at day 0 after 1 intervention

    The subject will then be asked to stand up and perform the different steps of the Short Physical Performance Battery test following the instructions of the evaluator, leading to a score between 0 (worse score) and 12 (best score)

    Measured: at Day 0 before and immediately after intervention in both groups

  2. change of SPPB (Short Physical Performance Battery test) score at day 7 after a second intervention

    The subject will then be asked to stand up and perform the different steps of the Short Physical Performance Battery test following the instructions of the evaluator, leading to a score between 0 (worse score) and 12 (best score)

    Measured: at Day 7 before and immediately after intervention in both groups

  3. SPPB (Short Physical Performance Battery test) score at day 21

    The subject will then be asked to stand up and perform the different steps of the Short Physical Performance Battery test following the instructions of the evaluator, leading to a score between 0 (worse score) and 12 (best score)

    Measured: at Day 21 in both groups before the intervention for sham group

  4. change of walking speed at day 0 after 1 intervention

    The subject will performed a 4m gait measurement

    Measured: at Day 0 before and immediately after intervention in both groups

  5. change of walking speed at day 7 after a second intervention intervention

    The subject will performed a 4m gait measurement

    Measured: at Day 7 before and immediately after intervention in both groups

  6. walking speed at day 21

    The subject will performed a 4m gait measurement

    Measured: at Day 21 in both groups, before the intervention for sham group

Secondary outcomes (18)
  1. change in Heart Rate Variability at day 0 after 1 intervention

    Participants will be equipped with a heart rate monitor (Polar RS800) and a heart belt to collect HRV. The watch will be placed on the subjects' wrists and the belt on the chest (under the pectoral muscles for men and under the bra for women). The skin under the sensor will be slightly moistened to ensure good electrical contact and to avoid artifacts. The belt must be tight enough to ensure that the sensor is in perfect contact with the skin but must remain comfortable. Thus, a total recording time of 5 minutes, in the supine position and with spontaneous breathing, will be performed on each patient.

    Measured: at Day 0 before and immediately after intervention in both groups

  2. change in Heart Rate Variability at day 7 after the second intervention

    Participants will be equipped with a heart rate monitor (Polar RS800) and a heart belt to collect HRV. The watch will be placed on the subjects' wrists and the belt on the chest (under the pectoral muscles for men and under the bra for women). The skin under the sensor will be slightly moistened to ensure good electrical contact and to avoid artifacts. The belt must be tight enough to ensure that the sensor is in perfect contact with the skin but must remain comfortable. Thus, a total recording time of 5 minutes, in the supine position and with spontaneous breathing, will be performed on each patient.

    Measured: at Day 7 before and immediately after intervention in both groups

  3. Heart Rate Variability at day 21

    Participants will be equipped with a heart rate monitor (Polar RS800) and a heart belt to collect HRV. The watch will be placed on the subjects' wrists and the belt on the chest (under the pectoral muscles for men and under the bra for women). The skin under the sensor will be slightly moistened to ensure good electrical contact and to avoid artifacts. The belt must be tight enough to ensure that the sensor is in perfect contact with the skin but must remain comfortable. Thus, a total recording time of 5 minutes, in the supine position and with spontaneous breathing, will be performed on each patient.

    Measured: at Day 21 before the intervention for sham group

  4. change in cervical range of motion at day 0 after 1 intervention

    the patients will be seated in a neutral position, with their backs against the back of the chair, and will perform the cervical range of motion tests. For this, the experimenter will use the anatomical points previously identified: ear tragus, chin symphysis, anterior angle of the acromion, sternal incisure. The subject will be asked to perform movements of flexion, extension, right rotation, left rotation, right tilt, and left tilt, returning to the neutral position each time. All movements will be performed 3 times. The measurement will retain the difference between the neutral position and the maximum position of the movement

    Measured: at Day 0 before and immediately after intervention in both groups

  5. change in cervical range of motion at day 7 after the second intervention

    the patients will be seated in a neutral position, with their backs against the back of the chair, and will perform the cervical range of motion tests. For this, the experimenter will use the anatomical points previously identified: ear tragus, chin symphysis, anterior angle of the acromion, sternal incisure. The subject will be asked to perform movements of flexion, extension, right rotation, left rotation, right tilt, and left tilt, returning to the neutral position each time. All movements will be performed 3 times. The measurement will retain the difference between the neutral position and the maximum position of the movement

    Measured: at Day 7 before and immediately after intervention in both groups

  6. cervical range of motion at day 21

    the patients will be seated in a neutral position, with their backs against the back of the chair, and will perform the cervical range of motion tests. For this, the experimenter will use the anatomical points previously identified: ear tragus, chin symphysis, anterior angle of the acromion, sternal incisure. The subject will be asked to perform movements of flexion, extension, right rotation, left rotation, right tilt, and left tilt, returning to the neutral position each time. All movements will be performed 3 times. The measurement will retain the difference between the neutral position and the maximum position of the movement

    Measured: at Day 21 before the intervention for sham group

  7. change in cervical muscle strength at day 0 after 1 intervention

    the cervical strength tests will be performed seated too, using a manual dynamometer (Micro FET2, Hoggan, Salt Lake City, USA). To obtain the maximum isometric force of the neck muscles in the 6 movements, a "make test" will be performed: the experimenter will resist the subject's force without trying to exceed it. The subject will be asked to perform progressively and as hard as possible, from the neutral position, a flexion movement (resistance applied under the chin), an extension movement (resistance applied to the back of the occiput), a right and left rotation movement (resistance applied along the horizontal side of the right and left mandibles), and a right and left tilt movement (resistance applied above the right and left ears).

    Measured: at Day 0 before and immediately after intervention in both groups

  8. change in cervical muscle strength at day 7 after the second intervention

    the cervical strength tests will be performed seated too, using a manual dynamometer (Micro FET2, Hoggan, Salt Lake City, USA). To obtain the maximum isometric force of the neck muscles in the 6 movements, a "make test" will be performed: the experimenter will resist the subject's force without trying to exceed it. The subject will be asked to perform progressively and as hard as possible, from the neutral position, a flexion movement (resistance applied under the chin), an extension movement (resistance applied to the back of the occiput), a right and left rotation movement (resistance applied along the horizontal side of the right and left mandibles), and a right and left tilt movement (resistance applied above the right and left ears).

    Measured: at Day 7 before and immediately after intervention in both groups

  9. cervical muscle strength at day 21

    the cervical strength tests will be performed seated too, using a manual dynamometer (Micro FET2, Hoggan, Salt Lake City, USA). To obtain the maximum isometric force of the neck muscles in the 6 movements, a "make test" will be performed: the experimenter will resist the subject's force without trying to exceed it. The subject will be asked to perform progressively and as hard as possible, from the neutral position, a flexion movement (resistance applied under the chin), an extension movement (resistance applied to the back of the occiput), a right and left rotation movement (resistance applied along the horizontal side of the right and left mandibles), and a right and left tilt movement (resistance applied above the right and left ears).

    Measured: at Day 21 before the intervention for sham group

  10. change in quadriceps strength at day 0 after 1 intervention

    to measure the maximal isometric extension force of the dominant quadriceps by applying the dynamometer to the lower tibia and requesting leg extension from a 90° flexion position

    Measured: At Day 0 before and immediately after intervention in both groups

  11. change in quadriceps strength at day 7 after the second intervention

    to measure the maximal isometric extension force of the dominant quadriceps by applying the dynamometer to the lower tibia and requesting leg extension from a 90° flexion position

    Measured: At Day 7 before and immediately after intervention in both groups

  12. quadriceps strength at day 21

    to measure the maximal isometric extension force of the dominant quadriceps by applying the dynamometer to the lower tibia and requesting leg extension from a 90° flexion position

    Measured: At Day 21 before the intervention for sham group

  13. change in static posturography at day 0 after 1 intervention

    the static posturography test will be performed under standard conditions using the WIN-POSTURO platform (Medicapteur, Balma, France) allowing the measurement of displacements of the center of pressure in a static standing position at a frequency of 40 Hz for 25.6 seconds

    . The measurement will be repeated 3 times. The data collected will be processed using WIN-POSTURO software (Medicapteur, Balma, France)

    Measured: At Day 0 before and immediately after intervention in both groups

  14. change in static posturography at day 7 after the second intervention

    the static posturography test will be performed under standard conditions using the WIN-POSTURO platform (Medicapteur, Balma, France) allowing the measurement of displacements of the center of pressure in a static standing position at a frequency of 40 Hz for 25.6 seconds

    . The measurement will be repeated 3 times. The data collected will be processed using WIN-POSTURO software (Medicapteur, Balma, France)

    Measured: At Day 7 before and immediately after intervention in both groups

  15. static posturography at day 21

    the static posturography test will be performed under standard conditions using the WIN-POSTURO platform (Medicapteur, Balma, France) allowing the measurement of displacements of the center of pressure in a static standing position at a frequency of 40 Hz for 25.6 seconds

    . The measurement will be repeated 3 times. The data collected will be processed using WIN-POSTURO software (Medicapteur, Balma, France)

    Measured: At Day 21 before the intervention for sham group

  16. change in plantar support at day 0 after 1 intervention

    The subject will perform the 4 m gait measurement part (which will measure walking speed) equipped with W-INSHOE plantar sensors (Medicapteur, Balam, France) which will be analyzed using the software of the same name. The sensors are attached to the skin with hypoallergenic tape

    Measured: At Day 0 before and immediately after intervention in both groups

  17. change in plantar support at day 7 after the second intervention

    The subject will perform the 4 m gait measurement part (which will measure walking speed) equipped with W-INSHOE plantar sensors (Medicapteur, Balam, France) which will be analyzed using the software of the same name. The sensors are attached to the skin with hypoallergenic tape

    Measured: At Day 7 before and immediately after intervention in both groups

  18. plantar support at day 21

    The subject will perform the 4 m gait measurement part (which will measure walking speed) equipped with W-INSHOE plantar sensors (Medicapteur, Balam, France) which will be analyzed using the software of the same name. The sensors are attached to the skin with hypoallergenic tape

    Measured: At Day 21 before the intervention for sham group

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted27 Jul 2022
  2. Study start4 Feb 2020
  3. Primary completionSep 2022 (estimated)
  4. Study completionDec 2022 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
40 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05475652
Sponsor's protocol ID
002B2019
Acronym
ManEq
Status last verified
Jul 2022
First submitted
20 May 2022
Last updated
28 Jul 2022
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Pinloche L, Souvignet S, Germain M, Monteil K, Hautier C. The short-term effect of a myofascial protocol versus light touch applied to the cervical spine towards the prevention of balance disorders in the elderly: protocol of a randomised controlled trial. Chiropr Man Therap. 2022 Aug 31;30(1):33. doi: 10.1186/s12998-022-00446-0.

    PubMed 36045446

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Manual therapy in people with Balance, Postural and Gait, run by EZUS-LYON 1 at 1 site in France.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Jul 2022. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

change of SPPB (Short Physical Performance Battery test) score at day 0 after 1 intervention (time frame: at Day 0 before and immediately after intervention in both groups). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05475652, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Jul 2022.

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