Clinical Research Directory

Segmental Muscle Vibration on Pain in Patients With Primary Cervical Dystonia

This pilot study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Vibration Muscle Stimulation (VMS) in reducing pain and improving quality of life in patients with primary cervical dystonia (CD), a focal dystonia characterized by involuntary and often painful muscle contractions in the neck. The study will involve patients who have been treated with botulinum toxin and are candidates for an integrated rehabilitation program, which includes physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Participants will be randomized into two groups: an experimental group receiving therapeutic VMS (80 Hz frequency, 0.5 mm vibration amplitude) and a control group receiving sham VMS. Both groups will undergo a 10-session rehabilitation program combining 45 minutes of physiotherapy and 15 minutes of VMS (or sham), followed by 30 minutes of occupational therapy. The primary outcome measure will be pain and disability as assessed by the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) and the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes will include improvements in quality of life and clinical severity of dystonia. The results are expected to provide insights into the potential role of VMS in enhancing rehabilitation outcomes for patients with cervical dystonia.