Relationship Between Cervical Pain According to Cervical Proprioceptive Awareness Level in the Healthy Elderly

NCT07238595 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: SuleymanDU
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 120
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Aging is a progressive and irreversible process characterized by changes occurring at the cellular level, in organs and systems. Kinesiophobia in older adults is defined as a condition in which an individual is unable to perform movement due to fear of pain or injury. Studies have shown that with increasing age, kinesiophobia also increases, leading to a decrease in physical activity. In older individuals with chronic neck pain, significant relationships have been found between kinesiophobia, proprioceptive position error (JPE), and functional performance. Kinesiophobia is strongly associated with pain intensity and stands out as an important factor that negatively affects proprioceptive perception and functional performance, particularly in neck extension and rotation movements (for example, handgrip strength). In summary, decreased proprioception in older adults may lead to reduced functional fitness and increased kinesiophobia. This may cause the individual to avoid movement, leading to a vicious cycle in which proprioceptive sense and functional capacity further deteriorate. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between cervical pain, functional fitness, and kinesiophobia according to the level of cervical proprioceptive awareness in healthy older adults.At least 60 individuals with high proprioceptive awareness and 60 individuals with low cervical proprioceptive awareness will be included in the study. First, a sociodemographic data form will be completed. The Standardized Mini-Mental Test will be administered to assess the participants' cognitive functions. Then, the Cervical Joint Position Error Test will be used to evaluate the sense of position in the neck region. The Geriatric Pain Scale will be applied to assess the participants' pain levels; this scale is used to evaluate the intensity, quality, and impact of pain on daily living activities in older adults. Finally, the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia will be used to assess fear of movement. Participants will complete the 17-item self-report questionnaire under the supervision of a physiotherapist.

Conditions

Elderly (People Aged 65 or More)

Keywords

Elderly; Cervical proprioception; Cervical pain; Functional Fitness; Kinesiophobia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Cervical Joint Position Error Test

  The Cervical Joint Position Error Test is a clinical assessment used to evaluate cervical proprioceptive awareness by measuring how accurately a person can reposition their head to a neutral position after active neck movements. During the test, a laser pointer attached to the participant's head projects onto a target, and the difference between the starting and returning points is recorded. Smaller errors indicate better proprioceptive control and joint position sense in the cervical region.

  one day

• Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPE)

  The Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPE) is a clinical assessment used to evaluate cervical proprioceptive awareness by measuring how accurately a person can reposition their head to a neutral position after active neck movements. During the test, a laser pointer attached to the participant's head projects onto a target, and the difference between the starting and returning points is recorded. Smaller errors indicate better proprioceptive control and joint position sense in the cervical region.

  1 day

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT)

  one day

• Geriatric Pain Scale

  one day

• Senior Fitness Test (SFT)

  one day

• Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia

  one day

Study Arms (2)

older adults with high cervical proprioceptive awareness

In this study, several standardized assessments will be administered to evaluate different physical and cognitive parameters of older adults. Cognitive functions will be assessed using the Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT). Cervical proprioceptive awareness will be measured with the Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPE), which uses a laser-guided system to assess joint position sense. Pain intensity, quality, and its impact on daily living activities will be evaluated with the Geriatric Pain Scale (GPS). Physical fitness parameters such as strength, balance, flexibility, and agility will be measured through the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), which includes multiple functional subtests. Finally, fear of movement related to pain will be assessed using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK). All assessments will be conducted by a physiotherapist under standardized testing conditions.

Other: Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPE)

older adults with low cervical proprioceptive awareness

In this study, several standardized assessments will be administered to evaluate different physical and cognitive parameters of older adults. Cognitive functions will be assessed using the Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT). Cervical proprioceptive awareness will be measured with the Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPE), which uses a laser-guided system to assess joint position sense. Pain intensity, quality, and its impact on daily living activities will be evaluated with the Geriatric Pain Scale (GPS). Physical fitness parameters such as strength, balance, flexibility, and agility will be measured through the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), which includes multiple functional subtests. Finally, fear of movement related to pain will be assessed using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK). All assessments will be conducted by a physiotherapist under standardized testing conditions.

Other: Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPE)

Interventions

Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPE) OTHER

The Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPE) is a clinical assessment used to evaluate cervical proprioceptive awareness by measuring how accurately a person can reposition their head to a neutral position after active neck movements. During the test, a laser pointer attached to the participant's head projects onto a target, and the difference between the starting and returning points is recorded. Smaller errors indicate better proprioceptive control and joint position sense in the cervical region.

older adults with high cervical proprioceptive awareness; older adults with low cervical proprioceptive awareness

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Older adults over 65 years with high cervical proprioceptive awareness in the study group

You may qualify if:

• age ≥ 65
• mini mental test score ≥ 24
• Being independent in physical functions
• Being able to read and write in Turkish
• Consent to participate in the study

You may not qualify if:

• Having a history of cervical surgery
• Experiencing cervical trauma within the past month
• Having neurological diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer's
• Having cognitive impairment
• Having other musculoskeletal problems that may affect the cervical region, such as impingement, thoracic outlet syndrome, or scoliosis
• Using assistive devices for walking and/or standing
• Using more than four medications per day
• Having vision problems that are not corrected despite visual aids
• Having specific pathological conditions such as malignancy, fractures, or systemic rheumatoid disease
• Having a diagnosed psychiatric disorder
• Receiving medical treatment that may affect balance and posture

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Suleyman Demirel University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Melik AVCI

Isparta, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Alahmari KA, Reddy RS, Silvian P, Ahmad I, Nagaraj V, Mahtab M. Influence of chronic neck pain on cervical joint position error (JPE): Comparison between young and elderly subjects. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2017 Nov 6;30(6):1265-1271. doi: 10.3233/BMR-169630.

  PMID: 28800305 RESULT

Related Links

• Proprioceptive sensibility in the elderly: degeneration, functional consequences and plastic-adaptive processes

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain; Kinesiophobia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Phobic Disorders; Anxiety Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: MSc student, physiotherapist

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 16, 2025
• First Posted: November 20, 2025
• Study Start: November 29, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 15, 2026
• Last Updated: November 20, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)