Tech-Assisted Exercise Training in Chronic Neck Pain

NCT07005076 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: E-60116787-020-481633
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 42
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

In this study, women with chronic neck pain residing in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey, will participate in an exercise-based intervention. Both the control and experimental groups will engage in conventional exercise programs; however, the experimental group will also receive an additional technology-assisted exercise program. It is anticipated that these interventions will positively impact participants' daily living activities and functional abilities. The study aims to assess whether the inclusion of technology-supported exercises leads to superior outcomes compared to conventional exercises alone. The findings are expected to provide valuable evidence on the effectiveness of integrating technology-assisted exercise programs into physiotherapy and rehabilitation practices for women with chronic neck pain.

Conditions

Chronic Neck Pain; Exercise Training Therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)

  Patients will be asked to mark the number between 0 and 10 that best corresponds to the intensity of their pain.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

• G-Walk Wireless Movement Analysis System

  G-Walk is a wireless system used to assess gait, balance, and functional mobility through motion sensors placed on the lower back. While wearing the G-Walk device, the participant walks at a normal pace between two markers placed 10 meters apart. Furthermore, static balance will be assessed by having the participant maintain a one-legged stance for 30 seconds.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

• Modified Four Square Step Test

  The Modified Four Square Step Test (mFSST) is used to assess dynamic balance and the ability to step in multiple directions. During the test procedure, four strips, each measuring 90 cm in length, are arranged on the floor to form a square, with each quadrant labeled from 1 to 4. The participant is instructed to step through each quadrant first in a clockwise direction and then in a counterclockwise direction, ensuring continuous forward gaze and avoiding contact with the strips throughout the test.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

The treatment process for the control group consisted of hot therapy and TENS application before the exercises, followed by an exercise program including neck range of motion exercises, neck strengthening exercises, stretching exercises, scapular retraction, etc.

Experimental Group

EXPERIMENTAL

The program will be implemented over four weeks, three days a week, with a duration of 40-45 minutes per day. In addition to conventional treatment, an exercise program prepared with a light reaction time measurement and exercise set will be implemented.

Other: Experimental Group

Interventions

Experimental Group OTHER

Participants in the experimental group will participate in a conventional exercise program similar to the control group, but with the addition of a technology-assisted exercise program. The intervention group will receive training with a reaction time measurement set using lights and an exercise set. The reaction time measurement and exercise set will be used, where light pods are placed in different positions, such as on a table, mirror, and floor, and patients will be instructed to extinguish the lit light as quickly as possible. The difficulty level of the sessions will be progressively increased by adjusting factors such as the duration of light activation, colors, the number of illuminated pods, their placement locations, and the distance between them.

Also known as: Tech-Assisted Training

Experimental Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 59 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Non-specific neck pain diagnosis
• Having neck pain persisting for at least 3 months
• Having the ability to speak and comprehend Turkish fluently
• A pain score of 3 or higher according to the Numerical Rating Scale
• A score of 5 or higher on the Neck Disability Index

You may not qualify if:

• Having a history of spinal surgery.
• Having an additional musculoskeletal disorder affecting the cervical region and upper extremities (e.g., scoliosis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc.).
• Receiving physical therapy and/or other treatments for any reason within the last 6 months.
• Having a diagnosed psychiatric disorder.
• Having a vestibular pathology.
• Having visual problems despite using visual aids.
• Being pregnant.
• Having a neurological deficit that may affect balance.
• Discontinuing or being unable to complete the treatment process.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University

Merkez, Afyonkarahisar, 03030, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Study Officials

• FATMA EKEN

  Afyonkarahisar Sağlık Bİlimleri Üniversitesi

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Fatma EKEN

CONTACT

+905365241207; fatmaeken08@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research asistant

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 27, 2025
• First Posted: June 5, 2025
• Study Start: May 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 1, 2025
• Study Completion: December 1, 2025
• Last Updated: June 5, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)