Cervical SpineNCT06903793
Effects of Cervical Manipulation on Cervical Rotation Motion and Shoulder Rotational Motion and Strength in Overhead Athletes
A study testing cervical manipulation in people with Cervical Spine and Manipulation, Spinal, run by Sacred Heart University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This study will examine the effects of a single session of a quick stretch technique delivered to the neck on neck and shoulder motion as well as shoulder strength in collegiate overhead athletes. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Cervical Spine, Manipulation, Spinal, Shoulder
- What is being tested?
- cervical manipulation
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 7 Apr 2025to 13 May 2025
- 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 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 18 years old and above
- Current overhead college athlete
- No mental health considerations such as generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, and schizophrenia
Who cannot join
- Upper extremity surgery in the last year
- Current shoulder pain
- Current neck pain
- Recent episodes of vertigo, dizziness, and migraines
- Recent motor vehicle accident
- History of cardiovascular disease such as hypertension, heart attack, stroke, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, arrhythmias, heart valve disease, congenital heart defects, and aortic aneurysm
- Fear or unwillingness to undergo cervical manipulation
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, Connecticut, 06825
About this study
Official title: Effects of Cervical Manipulation on Cervical Rotation Range of Motion and Shoulder Rotational Range of Motion and Strength in Overhead Athletes
This study will examine the effects of a single session of a quick stretch technique delivered to the neck on neck and shoulder motion as well as shoulder strength in collegiate overhead athletes.
Read the detailed description
Athletes participating in sports such as baseball, softball, tennis, swimming, and volleyball, are uniquely predisposed to cervical and shoulder dysfunction due to repetitive, high-intensity movements that require coordination between the cervical spine, shoulder, and upper extremities. These repetitive motions involve extreme glenohumeral (GH) range of motion (ROM) as well as high angular velocities, often leading to adaptations such as Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit (GIRD). Overhead athletes with GIRD are at a higher risk of developing shoulder injuries.
This study aims to assess the effects of cervical spinal manipulation on cervical rotation ROM, GH rotational ROM and strength in overhead athletes. The current body of literature suggests an association between cervical rotation ROM deficits and arm injury risk in professional and collegiate-level baseball players. Restrictions in the cervical spine may alter neural and muscular pathways, potentially contributing to decreased shoulder ROM, compromised strength, and impaired performance. Given the complex interplay of cervical spine and shoulder function, understanding how cervical manipulation impacts the kinetic chain can play a vital role in developing shoulder rehabilitation and preventative programs for overhead athletes.
- Conditions
- Cervical Spine, Manipulation, Spinal, Shoulder, Overhead Athlete
- Being tested
- cervical manipulation
- Keywords
- cervical manipulation, shoulder motion, shoulder strength, overhead athlete
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
cervical manipulationOther
Cervical upglide/rotation manipulation targeted to C5/C6 on the dominant shoulder side
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical manipulation | Experimental | All participants will be enrolled in the experimental group Receives: Other: cervical manipulation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Cervical rotation active range of motion
Cervical rotation active ROM will be measured using the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device
Measured: from baseline to immediately post-intervention
Shoulder Rotational range of motion
Dominant shoulder external rotation and internal rotation passive ROM at 90° of shoulder abduction will be measured using a digital inclinometer
Measured: from baseline to immediately post-intervention
Shoulder Rotational strength
Dominant shoulder external rotation and internal rotation strength will be measured using the Hoggan MicroFET2 handheld dynamometer
Measured: from baseline to immediately post-intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted1 Apr 2025
- Study start7 Apr 2025
- Primary completion13 May 2025
- Study completion13 May 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Cervical SpineStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Sacred Heart University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Jason Grimes, PT, PhD, OCS, ATC, Sacred Heart University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06903793
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB-FY2025-216
- Status last verified
- Aug 2025
- First submitted
- 25 Mar 2025
- Last updated
- 3 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Laudner KG, Stanek JM, Meister K. Assessing posterior shoulder contracture: the reliability and validity of measuring glenohumeral joint horizontal adduction. J Athl Train. 2006 Oct-Dec;41(4):375-80.
PubMed 17273461Keller RA, De Giacomo AF, Neumann JA, Limpisvasti O, Tibone JE. Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit and Risk of Upper Extremity Injury in Overhead Athletes: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review. Sports Health. 2018 Mar/Apr;10(2):125-132. doi: 10.1177/1941738118756577. Epub 2018 Jan 30.
PubMed 29381423Bullock GS, Thigpen CA, Zhao H, Devaney L, Kline D, Noonan TJ, Kissenberth MJ, Shanley E. Neck range of motion prognostic factors in association with shoulder and elbow injuries in professional baseball pitchers. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2025 Feb;34(2):421-429. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2024.08.026. Epub 2024 Oct 11.
PubMed 39396612Devaney LL, Denegar CR, Thigpen CA, Lepley AS, Edgar C, DiStefano LJ. Preseason Neck Mobility Is Associated With Throwing-Related Shoulder and Elbow Injuries, Pain, and Disability in College Baseball Pitchers. Orthop J Sports Med. 2020 May 18;8(5):2325967120920556. doi: 10.1177/2325967120920556. eCollection 2020 May.
PubMed 32523967Cools AM, De Wilde L, Van Tongel A, Ceyssens C, Ryckewaert R, Cambier DC. Measuring shoulder external and internal rotation strength and range of motion: comprehensive intra-rater and inter-rater reliability study of several testing protocols. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2014 Oct;23(10):1454-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2014.01.006. Epub 2014 Apr 13.
PubMed 24726484
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Cervical Manipulation on Cervical Rotation Range of Motion and Shoulder Rotational Range of Motion and Strength in Overhead Athletes
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06903793
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB-FY2025-216
- Conditions
- Cervical Spine, Manipulation, Spinal, Shoulder, Overhead Athlete
- Keywords
- cervical manipulation, shoulder motion, shoulder strength, overhead athlete
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Sacred Heart UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 7 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 13 May 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 13 May 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 1 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study will examine the effects of a single session of a quick stretch technique delivered to the neck on neck and shoulder motion as well as shoulder strength in collegiate overhead athletes.
Detailed description
Athletes participating in sports such as baseball, softball, tennis, swimming, and volleyball, are uniquely predisposed to cervical and shoulder dysfunction due to repetitive, high-intensity movements that require coordination between the cervical spine, shoulder, and upper extremities. These repetitive motions involve extreme glenohumeral (GH) range of motion (ROM) as well as high angular velocities, often leading to adaptations such as Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit (GIRD). Overhead athletes with GIRD are at a higher risk of developing shoulder injuries.
This study aims to assess the effects of cervical spinal manipulation on cervical rotation ROM, GH rotational ROM and strength in overhead athletes. The current body of literature suggests an association between cervical rotation ROM deficits and arm injury risk in professional and collegiate-level baseball players. Restrictions in the cervical spine may alter neural and muscular pathways, potentially contributing to decreased shoulder ROM, compromised strength, and impaired performance. Given the complex interplay of cervical spine and shoulder function, understanding how cervical manipulation impacts the kinetic chain can play a vital role in developing shoulder rehabilitation and preventative programs for overhead athletes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical manipulation | Experimental | Other: cervical manipulationAll participants will be enrolled in the experimental group |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- 18 years old and above
- Current overhead college athlete
- No mental health considerations such as generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, and schizophrenia
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Upper extremity surgery in the last year
- Current shoulder pain
- Current neck pain
- Recent episodes of vertigo, dizziness, and migraines
- Recent motor vehicle accident
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| cervical manipulationCervical upglide/rotation manipulation targeted to C5/C6 on the dominant shoulder side | Other | Cervical manipulation |
Primary outcome
Cervical rotation active range of motion
Time frame: from baseline to immediately post-intervention
Cervical rotation active ROM will be measured using the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device
Shoulder Rotational range of motion
Time frame: from baseline to immediately post-intervention
Dominant shoulder external rotation and internal rotation passive ROM at 90° of shoulder abduction will be measured using a digital inclinometer
Shoulder Rotational strength
Time frame: from baseline to immediately post-intervention
Dominant shoulder external rotation and internal rotation strength will be measured using the Hoggan MicroFET2 handheld dynamometer
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Sep 2025.
- Background: PubMed 17273461Laudner KG, Stanek JM, Meister K. Assessing posterior shoulder contracture: the reliability and validity of measuring glenohumeral joint horizontal adduction. J Athl Train. 2006 Oct-Dec;41(4):375-80.
- Background: PubMed 29381423Keller RA, De Giacomo AF, Neumann JA, Limpisvasti O, Tibone JE. Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit and Risk of Upper Extremity Injury in Overhead Athletes: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review. Sports Health. 2018 Mar/Apr;10(2):125-132. doi: 10.1177/1941738118756577. Epub 2018 Jan 30.
- Background: PubMed 39396612Bullock GS, Thigpen CA, Zhao H, Devaney L, Kline D, Noonan TJ, Kissenberth MJ, Shanley E. Neck range of motion prognostic factors in association with shoulder and elbow injuries in professional baseball pitchers. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2025 Feb;34(2):421-429. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2024.08.026. Epub 2024 Oct 11.
- Background: PubMed 32523967Devaney LL, Denegar CR, Thigpen CA, Lepley AS, Edgar C, DiStefano LJ. Preseason Neck Mobility Is Associated With Throwing-Related Shoulder and Elbow Injuries, Pain, and Disability in College Baseball Pitchers. Orthop J Sports Med. 2020 May 18;8(5):2325967120920556. doi: 10.1177/2325967120920556. eCollection 2020 May.
- Background: PubMed 24726484Cools AM, De Wilde L, Van Tongel A, Ceyssens C, Ryckewaert R, Cambier DC. Measuring shoulder external and internal rotation strength and range of motion: comprehensive intra-rater and inter-rater reliability study of several testing protocols. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2014 Oct;23(10):1454-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2014.01.006. Epub 2014 Apr 13.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing cervical manipulation in people with Cervical Spine and Manipulation, Spinal, run by Sacred Heart University at 1 site in United States.
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 7 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Sep 2025. 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 United States. 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. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
Cervical rotation active range of motion (time frame: from baseline to immediately post-intervention). The study lists 3 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 NCT06903793, which also lists 5 linked publications.
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 3 Sep 2025.