Continuation Grant
Awarded 2023
Title: Neck hypoalgesic effects of cervical retraction exercises
Principal Investigator: Takasaki Hiroshi, PhD, M.Sc., B.Sc.
The craniocervical flexion exercise that aims selective deep neck flexor muscle activation has been considered to be different from cervical retraction exercises. This study aimed to preliminarily compare the immediate analgesic effect between craniocervical flexion and cervical retraction exercises in individuals with non-acute, directional preference for cervical retraction or extension. A two-arm, assessor-blinded, pretest-posttest randomized experiment was conducted. Nine minutes exercises were conducted in the two groups. The primary outcome measure was pressure pain thresholds at the C2 and C5-C6 levels. A total of 10 and nine participants undertook craniocervical flexion and retraction exercises, respectively. One-way analysis
of variance demonstrated no statistically significant (p > 0.05) interaction effect regardless of the neck level. In the pre-post change percentages, retraction exercises provided greater analgesic effects compared to craniocervical flexion exercises at the C2 (Hedges’ g = 0.679) and C5-C6 levels (g = 0.637).
Awarded 2019
Title: SAFE – Secondary Prevention of a Recurrence of Low Back Pain – a Randomised Controlled Trial
Principal Investigator: de Campos, Tarcisio, F, BSC PT, PhD candidate
Abstract
Low Back Pain (LBP) is the health condition that carries the greatest burden worldwide. Although many people recover quickly from an episode of LBP, recurrence is very common and costly. There is limited evidence on effective prevention strategies for recurrences of LBP. For that reason, we proposed to conduct a high-quality pragmatic randomized, controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of McKenzie-based self-management program compared to minimal intervention in preventing recurrences of LBP, in people who have recently recovered from an episode of LBP. To our knowledge, this will be the first large, high-quality RCT investigating the effectiveness of a McKenzie approach for preventing secondary recurrences of LBP. If this approach is found to be effective, it will offer a low-cost, simple method for reducing the personal and societal burden of LBP. Study results will be disseminated at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals (e.g. BJM or BJSM).
Awarded 2017
Title: Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy for lumbar radiculopathy and sciatica- A systematic review of randomised controlled trials and prospective cohort studies
Principal Investigator: Long, Audrey L, BSc PT
Abstract
There is a plethora of literature on back disorders and clinicians are increasingly reliant on systematic reviews and meta analyses (SRs and MAs) to help them interpret this growing body of evidence. It is important that data from MDT trials be included in these projects so that MDT trials can be scientifically compared to other studies in the field.
This proposal aims to provide funding for statistician services required for data retrieval for Markus Ernst and his work titled: Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy for lumbar radiculopathy and sciatica- A systematic review of randomised controlled trials and prospective cohort studies.
SRs are important dissemination tools and have the ability to impact future guidelines for the care of patients with lumbar radicular pain.
It is essential that MDT trials be included in future guidelines in order to bring the evidence supporting MDT to a wider audience of clinicians, patients, and payers.