Efficacy of Segmental Muscle Vibration on Pain Modulation in Patients with Primary Cervical Dystonia Treated with Botulinum Type-A Toxin: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Primary cervical dystonia (PCD), or spasmodic torticollis, is a focal dystonia characterized by involuntary and often painful muscle contractions, leading to abnormal cervical movements and postures. While botulinum toxin injections are the first-line treatment, additional therapies, such as segment...

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Main Authors: Riccardo Buraschi, Paolo Pedersini, Giacomo Redegalli, Rosa Pullara, Joel Pollet, Marina Rossi, Massimiliano Gobbo, Sara Gueli, Maurizio Falso
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:NeuroSci
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4087/6/2/30
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author Riccardo Buraschi
Paolo Pedersini
Giacomo Redegalli
Rosa Pullara
Joel Pollet
Marina Rossi
Massimiliano Gobbo
Sara Gueli
Maurizio Falso
author_facet Riccardo Buraschi
Paolo Pedersini
Giacomo Redegalli
Rosa Pullara
Joel Pollet
Marina Rossi
Massimiliano Gobbo
Sara Gueli
Maurizio Falso
author_sort Riccardo Buraschi
collection DOAJ
description Primary cervical dystonia (PCD), or spasmodic torticollis, is a focal dystonia characterized by involuntary and often painful muscle contractions, leading to abnormal cervical movements and postures. While botulinum toxin injections are the first-line treatment, additional therapies, such as segmental muscle vibration (SMV), remain underexplored. SMV, a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, may enhance motor cortex excitability and promote neuroplasticity, offering potential benefits in PCD management. This single-center triple-blinded randomized controlled trial evaluates SMV’s efficacy in reducing dystonic pain and improving quality of life in PCD patients undergoing standardized rehabilitation after botulinum toxin treatment. Participants with a pain level of ≥3 on the Numerical Rating Scale will be randomized into two groups. The experimental group will receive 80 Hz SMV during a 10-session rehabilitation program, while the control group will undergo sham SMV. Both groups will follow identical physiotherapy and occupational therapy protocols. The primary outcomes include changes in pain intensity and function, assessed at baseline, mid-treatment, and post-treatment using validated scales. The secondary outcomes will evaluate quality of life and patient satisfaction. This study hypothesizes that SMV will significantly reduce dystonic pain and enhance quality of life, supporting its integration into multidisciplinary rehabilitation for dystonic disorders. Trial registration number: NCT06748846.
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spelling doaj-art-bb3404e4d288459e9d9b7d8c1bf181822025-08-20T03:16:21ZengMDPI AGNeuroSci2673-40872025-04-01623010.3390/neurosci6020030Efficacy of Segmental Muscle Vibration on Pain Modulation in Patients with Primary Cervical Dystonia Treated with Botulinum Type-A Toxin: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled TrialRiccardo Buraschi0Paolo Pedersini1Giacomo Redegalli2Rosa Pullara3Joel Pollet4Marina Rossi5Massimiliano Gobbo6Sara Gueli7Maurizio Falso8IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, ItalyIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, ItalyIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, ItalyIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, ItalyIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, ItalyIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, ItalyIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, ItalyIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, ItalyIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, ItalyPrimary cervical dystonia (PCD), or spasmodic torticollis, is a focal dystonia characterized by involuntary and often painful muscle contractions, leading to abnormal cervical movements and postures. While botulinum toxin injections are the first-line treatment, additional therapies, such as segmental muscle vibration (SMV), remain underexplored. SMV, a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, may enhance motor cortex excitability and promote neuroplasticity, offering potential benefits in PCD management. This single-center triple-blinded randomized controlled trial evaluates SMV’s efficacy in reducing dystonic pain and improving quality of life in PCD patients undergoing standardized rehabilitation after botulinum toxin treatment. Participants with a pain level of ≥3 on the Numerical Rating Scale will be randomized into two groups. The experimental group will receive 80 Hz SMV during a 10-session rehabilitation program, while the control group will undergo sham SMV. Both groups will follow identical physiotherapy and occupational therapy protocols. The primary outcomes include changes in pain intensity and function, assessed at baseline, mid-treatment, and post-treatment using validated scales. The secondary outcomes will evaluate quality of life and patient satisfaction. This study hypothesizes that SMV will significantly reduce dystonic pain and enhance quality of life, supporting its integration into multidisciplinary rehabilitation for dystonic disorders. Trial registration number: NCT06748846.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4087/6/2/30cervical dystoniasegmental muscle vibrationpain managementrehabilitation
spellingShingle Riccardo Buraschi
Paolo Pedersini
Giacomo Redegalli
Rosa Pullara
Joel Pollet
Marina Rossi
Massimiliano Gobbo
Sara Gueli
Maurizio Falso
Efficacy of Segmental Muscle Vibration on Pain Modulation in Patients with Primary Cervical Dystonia Treated with Botulinum Type-A Toxin: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
NeuroSci
cervical dystonia
segmental muscle vibration
pain management
rehabilitation
title Efficacy of Segmental Muscle Vibration on Pain Modulation in Patients with Primary Cervical Dystonia Treated with Botulinum Type-A Toxin: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
title_full Efficacy of Segmental Muscle Vibration on Pain Modulation in Patients with Primary Cervical Dystonia Treated with Botulinum Type-A Toxin: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
title_fullStr Efficacy of Segmental Muscle Vibration on Pain Modulation in Patients with Primary Cervical Dystonia Treated with Botulinum Type-A Toxin: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy of Segmental Muscle Vibration on Pain Modulation in Patients with Primary Cervical Dystonia Treated with Botulinum Type-A Toxin: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
title_short Efficacy of Segmental Muscle Vibration on Pain Modulation in Patients with Primary Cervical Dystonia Treated with Botulinum Type-A Toxin: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
title_sort efficacy of segmental muscle vibration on pain modulation in patients with primary cervical dystonia treated with botulinum type a toxin a protocol for a randomized controlled trial
topic cervical dystonia
segmental muscle vibration
pain management
rehabilitation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4087/6/2/30
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