Manual Therapy
Volume 15, Issue 4 , Pages 315-333 , August 2010

Manipulation or mobilisation for neck pain: A Cochrane Review

  • Anita Gross

      Affiliations

    • School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, 1400 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 1C7, Canada
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author.
    • ,
  • Jordan Miller

      Affiliations

    • School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, 1400 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 1C7, Canada
    • ,
  • Jonathan D’Sylva

      Affiliations

    • School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, 1400 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 1C7, Canada
    • ,
  • Stephen J. Burnie

      Affiliations

    • Department of Clinical Education, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, Canada
    • ,
  • Charles H. Goldsmith

      Affiliations

    • Department of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
    • ,
  • Nadine Graham

      Affiliations

    • School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, 1400 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 1C7, Canada
    • ,
  • Ted Haines

      Affiliations

    • Department of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
    • ,
  • Gert Brønfort

      Affiliations

    • Wolfe-Harris Center for Clinical Studies, Northwestern Health Sciences University, Bloomington, MN, USA
    • ,
  • Jan L. Hoving

      Affiliations

    • Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
    • ,
  • COG

      Affiliations

    • COG – Cervical Overview Group: Bronfort G, Burnie SJ, Cameron ID, D’Sylva J, Dumoulin-White R, Eddy A, Ezzo J, Goldsmith CH, Graham N, Gross A, Haines T, Haraldsson B, Hildebrand C, Hoving J, Kay T, Kroeling P, Lilge L, Miller J, Morien A, Peloso P, Perry L, Radylovick Z, Santaguida P, Trinh K, Voth S, Wang E.

Received 16 February 2010 ,Revised 13 April 2010 ,Accepted 20 April 2010.

References 

  1. Assendelft WJ, Bouter LM, Knipschild PG. Complications of spinal manipulation: a comprehensive review of the literature. Journal of Family Practice. 1996;42(5):475–480
  2. Beattie P. Measurement of health outcomes in the clinical setting: applications to physiotherapy. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2001;17:173–185
  3. Bitterli J, Graf R, Robert F, Adler R, Mumenthaler M. Zur objectivierung der manualtherapeutischen beeinflussbarkeit des spondylogenen kopfschmerzes. Nervenarzt. 1977;48:259–262
  4. Bodgduk N. Whiplash: why pay for what does not work?. Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain. 2001;8(1/2):29–53
  5. Borghouts JAJ, Koes BW, Bouter LM. The clinical course and prognostic factors of non-specific neck pain: a systematic review. Pain. 1998;77:1–13
  6. Borghouts JAJ, Koes BW, Bouter LM. Cost-of-illness in neck pain in the Netherlands in 1996. Pain. 1999;80:629–636
  7. Brønfort G, Haas M, Evans RL, Boutar LM. Efficacy of manipulation and mobilization for low back pain and neck pain: a systematic review and best evidence synthesis. The Spine Journal. 2004;4(3):335–356
  8. Cassidy JD, Lopes AA, Yong-Hing K. The immediate effect of manipulation versus mobilization on pain and range of motion in the cervical spine: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 1992;15(9):570–575
  9. Carlesso L, Gross A, Santaguida PL, Burnie S, Voth S, Sadi J. Adverse events associated with the use of cervical manipulation and for the treatment of neck pain in adults: a systematic review. Manual Therapy, in press, doi:10.1016/j.math.2010.02.006.
  10. Cicchetti DV. Assessing inter-rater reliability for rating scales: resolving some basic issues. British Journal of Psychiatry. 1976;129:452–456
  11. Chen L, Zhang XL, Ding H, Tao YQ, Zhan HS. Comparative study on effects of manipulation treatment and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on patients with cervicogenic headache. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine. 2007;5(4):403–406
  12. Cleland JA, Childs JD, McRae M, Palmer JA, Stowell T. Immediate effects of a thoracic manipulation in patients with neck pain: a randomized clinical trial. Manual Therapy. 2005;10:127–135
  13. Cleland JA, Childs JD, Fritz JM, Whitman JM, Eberhart SL. Development of a clinical prediction rule for guiding treatment of a subgroup of patients with neck pain: use of thoracic spine manipulation, exercise, and patient education. Physical Therapy. 2007;87(1):9–23
  14. Cohen J. Statistical power analysis for the behavioural sciences. 2nd ed.. Hillsdale, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; 1988;
  15. Coppieters MW, Stappaerts KH, Wouters LL, Janssens K. Aberrant protective force generation during neural provocation testing and the effect of treatment in patients with neurogenic cervicogenic pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2002;26(2):99–106
  16. Coppieters MW, Stappaerts KH, Wouters LL, Janssens K. The immediate effects of a cervical lateral glide treatment technique in patients with neurogenic cervicobrachial pain. Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy. 2003;33:369–378
  17. Côté P, Cassidy D, Carroll L. The Saskatchewan health and back pain survey. The prevalence of neck pain and related disability in Saskatchewan adults. Spine. 1998;23(15):1689–1698
  18. Côté P, Kristman V, Vidmar M, Van Eerd D, Hogg-Johnson S, Beaton D, et al. The prevalence and incidence of work absenteeism involving neck pain: a cohort of Ontario lost-time claimants. Spine. 2008;33(4 Suppl.):S192–S198
  19. David J, Modi S, Aluko AA, Robertshaw C, Farebrother J. Chronic neck pain: a comparison of acupuncture treatment and physiotherapy. British Journal of Rheumatology. 1998;37:118–122
  20. D’Sylva J, Gross A, Miller J, Burnie S, Goldsmith C, Graham N, et al. Manual therapy with or without physical medicine modalities: a systematic review. Manual Therapy, in press.
  21. Dupont WD, Plummer WD. Power and sample size calculations: a review and computer program. Controlled Clinical Trials. 1990;11:116–118
  22. Egwu MO. Relative therapeutic efficacy of some vertebral mobilization techniques in the management of unilateral cervical spondylosis: a comparative study. Journal of Physical Therapy and Science. 2008;20:103–108
  23. Farrar JT, Young JP, LaMoureaux L, Worth JL, Poole RM. Clinical importance of changes in chronic pain intensity measured on an 11-point numerical rating scale. Pain. 2001;94:149–158
  24. Felson DT, Anderson JJ, Boers M, et al. American college of rheumatology: preliminary definition of improvement in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis and Rheumatism. 1995;38(6):727–735
  25. Fernandez-de-las-Penas C, Fernandez-Carnero J, Plaza Fernandez A, Lomas-Vega R, Miangolarra-Page JC. Dorsal manipulation in whiplash injury treatment: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Whiplash & Related Disorders. 2004;3:55–71
  26. Finch E, Brooks D, Stratford P, Mayo N. Physical rehabilitation outcome measures: a guide to enhanced clinical decision making. 2nd ed.. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2002;
  27. Furlan AD, Pennick V, Bombardier C, van Tulder M, Editorial Board Cochrane Back Review Group . 2009 Updated method guidelines for systematic reviews in the Cochrane Back Review Group. Spine. 2009;34(18):1929–1941
  28. Gemmel H, Miller B. Comparative effectiveness of manipulation, mobilisation and the activator instrument in the treatment of non-specific neck pain: a systematic review. Chiropractic and Osteopathy. 2006;14(7):15–21
  29. Giles LGF, Muller R. Chronic spinal pain syndromes: a clinical pilot trial comparing acupuncture, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and spinal manipulation. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 1999;22(6):376–381
  30. Goldsmith CH, Boers M, Bombardier C, Tugwell P. Criteria for clinically important changes in outcomes. Development, scoring and evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis patients and trial profiles. Journal of Rheumatology. 1993;20(3):561–565
  31. Gonzalez-Iglesias J, Fernandez-de-las-Penas C, Cleland JA, Del Rosario Gutierrez-Vega M. Thoracic spine manipulation for the management of patients with neck pain: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. 2009;39(1):20–27
  32. Gross AR, Aker PD, Goldsmith CH, Peloso P. Conservative management of neck disorders. A systematic overview and meta-analysis. Doc No. 200-201 Online Journal of Current Clinical Trials. 1996;[accessed 20.01.02]
  33. Gross AR, Kay T, Hondras M, Goldsmith C, Haines T, Peloso P, et al. Manual therapy for mechanical neck disorders: a systematic review. Manual Therapy. 2002;7(3):131–149
  34. Gross AR, Kay T, Kennedy C, Gasner D, Hurley L, Yardley K, et al. Clinical practice guideline on the use of manipulation or mobilization in the treatment of adults with mechanical neck disorder. Manual Therapy. 2002;7(4):193–205
  35. Gross AR, Bronfort G, Hoving J, Goldsmith CH, Kay T, Aker P, et al. Manipulation and mobilisation for mechanical neck disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2004;(1):CD004249;[accessed 20.03.10]
  36. Gross AR, Hoving JL, Haines TA, Goldsmith CH, Kay T, Aker P, et al. A Cochrane review of manipulation and mobilization for mechanical neck disorders. Spine. 2004;29(14):1541–1548
  37. Gross AR, Goldsmith C, Hoving JL, Haines T, Peloso P, Aker P, et al. Cervical Overview Group. Conservative management of mechanical neck disorders: a systematic review. Journal of Rheumatology. 2007;34(5):1083–1102
  38. Gross AR, Miller J, D’Sylva J, Burnie SJ, Goldsmith CH, Graham N, et al. Manipulation or mobilisation for neck pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2010;(1):CD004249;[accessed 6.04.10]
  39. Guzman J, Hurwitz EL, Carroll LJ, Haldeman S, Côté P, Carragee EJ, et al. A new conceptual model of neck pain: linking onset, course, and care: the bone and joint decade 2000–2010 task force on neck pain and its associated disorders. Spine. 2008;33(4 Suppl.):S14–S23
  40. Haas M, Groupp E, Aickin M, Fairweather A, Ganger B, Attwood M, et al. Dose response for chiropractic care of chronic cervicogenic headache and associated neck pain: a randomized pilot study. Journal Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2004;27:547–553
  41. In:  Higgins JPT,  Green S editor. Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions version 5.0.1. 2008;www.cochrane-handbook.org[accessed 14.11.09]
  42. Headache Classification Committee. The international Calssification of headache disorders. Cephalalgia. 2004;24(Suppl. 1):9–160
  43. Hogg-Johnson S, van der Velde G, Carroll LJ, Holm LW, Cassidy JD, Guzman J, et al. The burden and determinants of neck pain in the general population: results of the bone and joint decade 2000–2010 task force on neck pain and its associated disorders. Spine. 2008;33(4 Suppl.):S39–S51
  44. Hoving JL, Gross AR, Gasner D, Kay T, Kennedy C, Hondras MA, et al. A critical appraisal of review articles on the effectiveness of conservative treatment of neck pain. Spine. 2001;26(2):196–205
  45. Howe DH, Newcombe RG, Wade MT. Manipulation of the cervical spine – a pilot study. Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners. 1983;33:574–579
  46. Hurwitz EL, Morgenstern H, Harber P, Kominski GF, Yu F, Adams AH. A randomized trial of chiropractic manipulation and mobilization for patients with neck pain: clinical outcomes from the UCLA neck-pain study. Research and Practice. 2002;92(10):1634–1641
  47. Hurwitz EL, Carragee JEJ, van der Velde G, Carroll LJ, Nordin M, Guzman J, et al. Treatment of neck pain: noninvasive interventions: results of the bone and joint decade 2000–2010 task force on neck pain and its associated disorders. Spine. 2008;33(4 Suppl.):S123–S152
  48. Kanlayanaphotporn R, Chiradejnant A, Vachalathiti R. The immediate effects of mobilization technique on pain and range of motion in patients presenting with unilateral neck pain; a randomized controlled trial. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2009;90:187–192
  49. Kanlayanaphotporn R, Chiradejnant A, Vachalathiti R. Immediate effects of the central posteroanterior mobilization technique on pain and range of motion in patients with mechanical neck pain. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2010;32(8):622–628
  50. Kendal MG, Stuart A. 2nd ed.. The advanced theory of statistics. vol. 1. New York: Hofner Publishing Co; 1963;
  51. Karlberg M, Magnusson M, Eva-Maj M, Melander A, Moritz U. Postural and symptomatic improvement after physiotherapy in patients with dizziness of suspected cervical origin. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 1996;77:874–882
  52. Krauss J, Creighton D, Ely JD, Podlewska-Ely J. The immediate effects of upper thoracic translatoric spinal manipulation on cervical pain and range of motion: a randomized clinical trial. The Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy. 2008;16(2):93–99
  53. Lee CE, Simmonds MJ, Novy DM, Jones S. Self-reports and clinician-measured physical function among patients with low back pain: a comparison. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2001;82:227–231
  54. Linton SJ, Hellsing AL, Hallden K. A population-based study of spinal pain among 35–45 year old individuals. Prevalence, sick leave and health care use. Spine. 1998;23(13):1457–1463
  55. MacDermid JC, Walton DM, Avery S, Blanchard A, Etruw E, McAlpine C, et al. Measurement properties of the neck disability index: a systematic review. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. 2009;39(5):400–417
  56. Martinez-Segura R, Fernandez-de-las-Penas C, Ruiz-Saez M, Lopez-Jimenez C, Rodriguez-Blanco C. Immediate effects on neck pain and active range of motion after a single cervical high-velocity low amplitude manipulation in subjects presenting with mechanical neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2006;29:511–517
  57. Miller J, Gross A, D’Sylva J, Burnie SJ, Goldsmith CH, Graham N, et al. Manual therapy and exercise for neck pain: a systematic review. Manual Therapy. 2010;15(4):334–354
  58. Muller R, Giles LGF. Long-term follow-up of a randomized clinical trail assessing the efficacy of medication, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation for chronic mechanical spinal pain syndromes. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2005;28:3–11
  59. Nilsson N. A randomized controlled trial of the effect of spinal manipulation in the treatment of cervicogenic headache. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 1995;18(7):435–440
  60. Nilsson N, Christensen HW, Hartvigsen J. Lasting changes in passive range of motion after spinal manipulation: a randomized, blind, controlled trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 1996;19(3):165–168
  61. Nilsson N, Christensen HW, Hartvigsen J. The effect of spinal manipulation in the treatment of cervicogenic headache. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 1997;20(5):326–330
  62. Olesen J. Classification and diagnostic criteria for headache disorders, cranial neuralgias and facial pain. Cephalalgia. 1988;8(7):61–62
  63. Olesen J, Gobel H. ICD-10 guide for headaches. Guide to the classification, diagnosis and assessment of headaches in accordance with the tenth revision of the international classification of diseases and related health problems and its application to neurology. Cephalalgia. 1997;17(Suppl. 19):29–30
  64. Parkin-Smith GF, Penter CS. A clinical trial investigating the effect of two manipulative approaches in the treatment of mechanical neck pain: a pilot study. Journal of the Neuromusculoskeletal System. 1998;6(1):6–16
  65. Peeters GGM, Verhagen AP, deBie RA, Oostendorp RAB. The efficacy of conservative treatment in patients with whiplash injury. Spine. 2001;26(4):E64–E73
  66. Rubinstein SM, Pool JJM, van Tulder MW, Riphagen II, de Vet HCW. A systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy of provocative tests of the neck for diagnosing cervical radiculopathy. European Spine Journal. 2007;16:307–319
  67. Savolainen A, Ahlberg J, Nummila H, Nissinen M. Active or passive treatment for neck–shoulder pain in occupational health care? A randomized controlled trial. Occupational Medicine. 2004;54:422–424
  68. Schultz KF, Altman DG, Moher D, for the Consort Group . CONSORT 2010 statement: updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomized trials. Annals Internal Medicine. 2010;152(11):1–8www.consort-statement.org[accessed 7.04.10]
  69. In:  Schumacher HR,  Klippel JH,  Koopman WJ editor. Primer on the rheumatic diseases. 10th ed.. Atlanta: Arthritis Foundation; 1993;
  70. Sjaastad O, Fredriksen TA, Pfaffenrath V. Cervicogenic headache: diagnostic criteria. Headache. 1990;30:725–726
  71. Skargren EI, Oberg BE. Predictive factors for 1-year outcome of low-back and neck pain in patients treated in primary care: comparison between the treatment strategies chiropractic and physiotherapy. Pain. 1998;77:201–207
  72. Sloop PR, Smith DS, Goldenberg E, Dore C. Manipulation for chronic neck pain: a double-blind controlled study. Spine. 1982;7(6):532–535
  73. Souvlis T, Vicenzino B, Wright A. Neurophysiological effects of spinal manual therapy. In:  Boyling JD,  Jull GA editor. Grieve’s modern manual therapy, the vertebral column. 3rd ed.. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 2004;p. 367–380
  74. Spitzer WO, Leblanc FE, Dupuis M. Scientific approach to the assessment and management of activity related spinal disorders. Spine. 1987;7:S1–S59
  75. Spitzer WO, Skovron ML, Salmi LR, et al. Scientific monograph of the Quebec task force on whiplash-associated disorders: redefining “whiplash” and its management. Spine. 1995;20:S1–S73
  76. Stratford PW, Riddle DL, Binkley JM, Spadoni G, Westaway MD, Padfield B. Using the neck disability index to make decisions concerning individual patients. Physiotherapy Canada. 1999 Spring;107–119
  77. Strunk RG, Hondras MA. A feasibility study assessing manual therapies to different regions of the spine for patients with subacute or chronic neck pain. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 2008;7:1–8
  78. van Schalkwyk R, Parkin-Smith GF. A clinical trial investigating the possible effect of the supine cervical rotatory manipulation and the supine lateral break manipulation in the treatment of mechanical neck pain: a pilot study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2000;23(5):324–331
  79. Verhagen AP, Scholten-Peeters GGGM, van Wijngaarden S, de Bie R, Bierma-Zeinstra SMA. Conservative treatment for whiplash. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2007;(2):CD003338;[accessed 20.03.10]
  80. Vernon HT, Aker P, Burns S, Viljakaanen S, Short L. Pressure pain threshold evaluation of the effect of spinal manipulation in the treatment of chronic neck pain: a pilot study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 1990;13(1):13–16
  81. Vernon HT, Humphreys BK, Hagino CA. A systematic review of conservative treatments for acute neck pain not due to whiplash. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2005;28:443–448
  82. Vernon HT, Humpherys BK, Hagino CA. The outcome of control groups in clinical trials of conservative treatments for chronic mechanical neck pain: a systematic review. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2006;7(58):1–10
  83. Vernon HT, Humphreys BK, Hagino CA. Chronic mechanical neck disorders in adults treated by manual therapy: a systematic review of change scores in randomized clinical trials. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2007;30:215–227
  84. Wood TG, Colloca CJ, Matthews R. A pilot randomized clinical trial on the relative effect of instrumental (MFMA) versus manual (HVLA) manipulation in the treatment of cervical spine dysfunction. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2001;24(4):260–271
  85. Yurkiw D, Mior S. Comparison of two chiropractic techniques on pain and lateral flexion in neck pain patients: a pilot study. Chiropractic Technique. 1996;8(4):155–162

☆ This paper is based on a Cochrane Review published in The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 1 (see www.thecochranelibrary.com for information). Cochrane Reviews are regularly updated as new evidence emerges and in response to feedback, and The Cochrane Library should be consulted for the most recent version of the review.

PII: S1356-689X(10)00073-1

doi: 10.1016/j.math.2010.04.002

Manual Therapy
Volume 15, Issue 4 , Pages 315-333 , August 2010

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution