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Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Neck Pain

This study is looking at how spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) affects neck pain. Researchers want to see if SMT can help normalize the way your neck moves. You might be able to join if you are 18-39 years old, have had non-specific neck pain for over 12 weeks, and your pain is rated above 3 on a 0-10 scale. The study will compare SMT, given by an experienced chiropractor, to a light massage. Success will be measured by changes in how your neck moves, both globally and between individual bones, one hour after treatment. The study aims to enroll 60 participants, but its current status is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 60 participants. It compares spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) to a light massage.
What's involved
Treatment sessions will last 15 to 20 minutes and include a brief history and examination of your cervical spine (neck).
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your neck movement will be measured one hour after treatment.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06312696

Normalizing Cervical Intersegmental Kinematics With Spinal Manipulative Therapy

Recruiting
NAAges 18–39InterventionalDiagnostic
University of Minnesota
~60 participants
Updated 2026-04-06 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:SMTLight Massage

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Intersegmental and Global Range of Motion
Measured over 1 hr

Conditions

Neck Pain

Explore related trials

Neck Pain

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Minnesota1

Study leadership

  • Arin Ellingson, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Minnesota

Who to contact

Stephany Nathe
[email protected]
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Nonspecific, mechanical neck pain equivalent to grades I or II (Bone and Joint Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders classification2 for \>12 weeks
Ages 18 to 39
Pain intensity \>3 (0-10 scale)

Exclusion

American Society of Anesthesiology Class III conditions and/or serious mental health conditions
Botox injections (which resulted in clinical relief) in the past 3 months
Chronic opioid use
Contraindications to spinal manipulation (e.g. cervical instability; complicating neurological conditions) Spinal manipulation or mobilization of cervical spine in prior 6 months
Ongoing non-pharmacological treatment for neck pain
History of cervical spine surgery
Pregnancy, currently trying to get pregnant, lactation
Contraindications to radiation exposure

What this trial measures

  • Intersegmental and Global Range of Motion1 hr

    analysis will consist of calculating the percent contribution of each functional spinal unit to the overall global motion. To do that, cervical spine ROM (global and intersegmental), angular change between the beginning and end of motion, will be quantified for all planar bending directions.