title: Evaluation of the immediate effect of acupuncture on pain, cervical range of motion and electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius muscle in patients with nonspecific neck pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nonspecific neck pain can cause considerable suffering, possible disability and reductions in quality of life and productivity. The aim of the proposed study is to evaluate the immediate effect of acupuncture on pain, cervical range of motion and electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius muscle in patients with nonspecific neck pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 12 patients with nonspecific neck pain and 12 healthy subjects will be enrolled in a randomized, single-blind crossover study. Each subject will receive two forms of treatment in random order: a single session of traditional acupuncture (acupoints: triple energizer 5, 'Wai-guan' and large intestine 11, 'Qu-chi') and sham acupuncture. To eliminate carry-over treatment effects, a one-week wash-out period will be respected between sessions. Surface electromyography will be used to determine motor control in the upper trapezius muscle before and after treatment. The outcome measures in the group with neck pain will be a numerical pain rating scale (range: 0 (no pain) to 10 (maximum pain)), documentation of the pain area on a body chart and cervical range of motion. Comparisons before and after acupuncture treatment will demonstrate whether acupoints affect the activity of the upper trapezius muscle, pain and cervical range of motion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the immediate effect of acupuncture on pain, cervical range of motion and electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius muscle in patients with nonspecific neck pain. Data will be published after the study is completed. The study will support the practice of evidence-based physical therapy for individuals with nonspecific neck pain.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This trial was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (identifier: NCT0984021 ) on 7 November 2013 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01984021 ).
authors: Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Av Dr Adolfo Pinto, 109, Água Branca, São Paulo, SP, 05001-100, Brazil. scalamita@yahoo.com.br.
authors: Simone Aparecida Penimpedo
authors: SA
authors: Calamita
authors: Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Av Dr Adolfo Pinto, 109, Água Branca, São Paulo, SP, 05001-100, Brazil. dani_atm@ig.com.br.|Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Av Dr Adolfo Pinto, 109, Água Branca, São Paulo, SP, 05001-100, Brazil. dani_atm@ig.com.br.
authors: Daniela Aparecida
authors: DA
authors: Biasotto-Gonzalez
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Av Dr Adolfo Pinto, 109, Água Branca, São Paulo, SP, 05001-100, Brazil. nivea.fisio14@gmai.com.
authors: Nivea Cristina
authors: NC
authors: De Melo
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Av Dr Adolfo Pinto, 109, Água Branca, São Paulo, SP, 05001-100, Brazil. dougmeira@hotmail.com.
authors: Douglas Meira
authors: DM
authors: dos Santos
authors: Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Av Dr Adolfo Pinto, 109, Água Branca, São Paulo, SP, 05001-100, Brazil. robertalazzari@gmail.com.
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: de Lassa
authors: Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Av Dr Adolfo Pinto, 109, Água Branca, São Paulo, SP, 05001-100, Brazil. fsarilho@gmail.com.
authors: Fabiana Sarilho
authors: FS
authors: de Mendonça
authors: Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Av Dr Adolfo Pinto, 109, Água Branca, São Paulo, SP, 05001-100, Brazil. csantos@uninove.br.|Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Av Dr Adolfo Pinto, 109, Água Branca, São Paulo, SP, 05001-100, Brazil. csantos@uninove.br.
authors: Claudia Santos
authors: CS
authors: Oliveira
authors: Physical Therapy Program, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (UNICID), Rua Cesário Galeno, 448/475, Tatuapé, São Paulo, SP, 03071000, Brazil. cesar@emgsystem.com.br.
authors: César Ferreira
authors: CF
authors: Amorim
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Av Dr Adolfo Pinto, 109, Água Branca, São Paulo, SP, 05001-100, Brazil. togonzalez@ig.com.br.
authors: Tabajara Oliveira
authors: TO
authors: Gonzalez
authors: Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Av Dr Adolfo Pinto, 109, Água Branca, São Paulo, SP, 05001-100, Brazil. fumagallimarcoantonio@gmail.com.
authors: Marco Antônio
authors: MA
authors: Fumagalli
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Av Dr Adolfo Pinto, 109, Água Branca, São Paulo, SP, 05001-100, Brazil. cid.andre@gmai.com.
authors: Cid André Fidelis Paula
authors: CA
authors: de Gomes
authors: Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Av Dr Adolfo Pinto, 109, Água Branca, São Paulo, SP, 05001-100, Brazil. fpolitti@ig.com.br.|Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Av Dr Adolfo Pinto, 109, Água Branca, São Paulo, SP, 05001-100, Brazil. fpolitti@ig.com.br.
authors: Fabiano
authors: F
authors: Politti
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012107:Research Design; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D064171:Superficial Back Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult