Tai Chi and chiropractic care for chronic neck pain

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This pilot project evaluates the effectiveness of combining chiropractic care with Tai Chi training to alleviate chronic non-specific neck pain in adults. The study involves 48 participants who will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: chiropractic care with Tai Chi training, chiropractic care alone, or enhanced usual care. Participants will receive treatments over 16 weeks and will be monitored for an additional 8 weeks to assess long-term outcomes. The study aims to measure feasibility, safety, and various patient-centered outcomes related to pain and disability.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Chronic nonspecific neck pain at least 5 days a week for at least 3 consecutive months
* 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'
* Neck Disability Index score of 5 or greater
* Agreeable to participate in all study procedures and be randomized to all intervention groups
* Fluent in English

Exclusion Criteria:

* Currently, or having received chiropractic care in past 12 months
* Regular practice (on average, weekly) of Yoga, Tai Chi or Qigong in the past 6 months
* Any major systemic illness or unstable medical condition (e.g. Parkinson's disease, cancer) or psychiatric condition requiring immediate treatment or that could lead to difficulty complying with the protocol
* Any disability precluding exercise practice
* History of stroke, carotid artery dissection, or vertebral artery dissection
* Signs of myelopathy or carotid bruits or evidence of pathological hypermobility (e.g. Ehlers Danlos Syndrome) during the clinical exam
* Neck pain caused by congenital deformity of the spine that contraindicate treatment, neck pain related to neoplasm, inflammatory rheumatic disease, neurological disorder, active oncologic disease, severe affective disorder, addiction, or psychosis
* Neck pain associated with unstable radicular pain or radiculopathy
* Pregnancy
* Recent spinal injections (in the past 4 weeks)
* Neck pain with litigation
* Any prior cervical surgery/spinal surgery within previous year
* Persons currently involved in a disability/accident claim

Where it's running

• Osher Clinical Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital
  Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Jacqui Guzman, BA
• Email: jguzman5@bwh.harvard.edu
• Phone: 617-732-9418

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.