| A single blind randomized controlled trial that will investigate the effectiveness of manual therapy according to the Utrecht School of Manual Therapy (MTU) in patients with sub-acute and chronic non specific neck pain. Patients with neck complaints existing for two weeks (minimum) till one year (maximum) will participate in the trial. 180 participants, men and women aged between 18 and 70 years, will be recruited in thirteen primary health care centres in the Netherlands. The experimental group will be treated with MTU during a six week period. The control group will be treated with physical therapy (standard care, mainly active exercise therapy), also for a period of six weeks. Primary outcomes are Global Perceived Effect (GPE) and the Neck Disability Index (NDI-DV). Secondary outcomes are the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain and SF36 (Quality of life), the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) and Credibility/Expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ). |
