Tongue pressure in middle-aged and older adults with 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 cross-sectional study will compare maximal tongue pressure between 40 middle-aged and elderly participants (age 50–65) with chronic cervical pain and matched healthy controls. Tongue pressure will be measured during a single in-person visit in different cranio-cervical positions at the Orthopedic Laboratory of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. Demographic and oral status data (including denture use) will be recorded and analyses will use t-tests and mixed ANOVA to examine group differences and posture effects. The protocol excludes participants with recent head/neck surgery, neurological disease, or severe recent injuries and is designed as a single-session assessment to minimize missing data.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

1\. Inclusion Criteria (chronic cervical pain group):

1. Aged between 50-65 year olds
2. Chronic neck pain (caused by specific neck movements or prolonged neck posture)
3. Cervical pain duration: at least 3 months within the past year
4. Cervical pain intensity: during activity or rest, as measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, must have an average score of at least 3 over the past two weeks
5. No anti-inflammatory or painkillers can be used within 48 hours prior to the test

2\. Inclusion Criteria (healthy group):

1. Matching gender, age, and body mass index with those in the chronic cervical pain group
2. No cervical pain has occurred within the past 6 months

3\. Exclusion Criteria:

1. Neurological diseases that may affect tongue pressure readings, such as stroke or Parkinson's disease
2. Head or neck surgery in the past year
3. Severe head or neck injuries (e.g., whiplash from a car accident) in the past year
4. Diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy with symptoms in the form of numbness or tingling, or fail relative clinical tests (spurling's/ cervical distraction/ cervical rotation test/ upper limb tension test-1/ Hoffman sign)
5. History of head or neck deformities or cancer
6. History of head or neck radiation therapy
7. Diagnosed with dysphagia
8. Experience pain or restricted movement in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) during chewing in the last 6 months
9. Require anticonvulsants or antidepressant medications
10. Cognitive impairments preventing understanding of the test order or communication

Where it's running

• National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
  Taipei, Taiwan Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Yi-Fen Shih, Professor
• Email: yfshih@nycu.edu.tw
• Phone: +886-0228267340

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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.