Effectiveness of Non-invasive Phrenic Nerve Neuromodulation in Subjects With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Neck Pain.

Summary

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic relapsing diseases that generate an autoimmune response against the bowel and its microbiota. Its prevalence is increasing worldwide. These include Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn's Disease(CD).

The Phrenic nerve originates at the roots C3-C4-C5 carrying motor and sensory information. Directly or through connections it innervates the diaphragm, pleura, right atrium, pericardium, oesophagus, peritoneum, stomach, falciform and coronary ligaments of the liver, Glisson's capsule, hepatic and inferior vena cava, liver (parenchyma), gallbladder and the rest of the biliary tract, pancreas, small intestine and adrenal glands. It also has fibres of the autonomic nervous system.

Studies show that there is a link between people suffering from IBD and hepatopancreato-biliary diseases. It can therefore generate referred pain to the C3-C4-C5 dermatomes.

Based on the above, the main objective would be to analyse whether non-invasive neuromodulation of the Phrenic nerve reduces neck pain in people with IBD. Secondary objectives were to assess the impact of treatment on quality of life and to study the relationship between IBD and cervical pain.

Hypothesis:

Non-invasive Phrenic nerve neuromodulation in subjects suffering from inflammatory bowel disease and neck pain will improve their quality of live, disability and sensitisation, as well as neck pain and mobility.

Conditions

• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
• Neck Pain

Interventions

DEVICE

Non-invasive Neuromodulation

This intervention group will receive neuromodulation treatment two days a week for a total of six sessions. The patient is placed in the supine position with a cushion under the knees. The physiotherapist will be positioned behind the patient's head on the side to be treated. The technique will be applied on both anterolateral sides of the neck, where the Phrenic nerve passes in front of the anterior Scalene, between the Subclavian arteries and veins. Neuromodulation will be applied with a Pointer Excel II. It will be applied with negative polarity, at a frequency of 2 Hertz (HZ) and with a current intensity varying between 0 and 45 milliamperes (mA). The intensity shall be increased progressively until the patient's diaphragmatic contraction can be observed without pain. The technique shall be applied on each side for a total of 8 minutes, divided into intervals of 10 seconds of stimulation and 20 seconds of rest.

OTHER

Cervico-dorsal Massage

This intervention group will receive manual therapy two days a week for a total of six sessions. The patient shall be placed prone position with a cushion under his or her feet. This group will receive manual therapy on the entire posterior cervical and dorsal region, the area between the occipital bone, the shoulders and the scapulae. The massage will be carried out with a little oil or cream for about 20 minutes.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Seville

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-01-30

Primary Completion

2024-11-15

Completion

2025-02-17

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations