Effects of Neck Stabilizers Retraining on Chronic Neck Pain

NCT07266610 | Recruiting DMC

• 2 other identifiers: UBAS/ERB/FoRS/25/024U1111-1331-6077
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The present study aims to evaluate the effects of deep neck stabilizers retraining with pressure biofeedback on cervical range of motion, pain, and temporomandibular dysfunction in patients with chronic neck pain. Participants will receive biofeedback-assisted deep neck flexor retraining in one group, while the other group will perform conventional exercises. The neurological connection between the TMJ and neck means that therapies such as neck flexion exercises and biofeedback can alleviate neck pain and jaw issues.

Conditions

Neck Pain Musculoskeletal; Chronic Neck Pain

Keywords

Chronic neck pain; Deep neck stabilizers; Pressure biofeedback; Temporomandibular dysfunction

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Temporomandibular dysfunction

  Mandibular Functional Impairment Questionnaire

  6 weeks

• Pain Intensity

  Numeric Pain Rating Scale will be used

  6 weeks

• Cervical Range of Motion

  Inclinometer

  6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Group 1 (Biofeedback-assisted deep neck flexor retraining )

EXPERIMENTAL

Each session includes TENS and hot pack therapy, crook lying exercises with a 20 mmHg pressure biofeedback sensor, the Cranio-Cervical Flexion Test, and neck and shoulder stretches. Data will be collected at the initial point, after 3 weeks, and once more at the 6-week point.

Other: Biofeedback-assisted deep neck flexor retraining

Group 2 (Conventional exercises)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Each session begins with TENS and hot pack therapy, followed by stretching and strengthening exercises for neck and shoulder muscles. Data will be collected at the initial point, after 3 weeks, and once more at the 6-week point.

Other: Conventional exercises

Interventions

Conventional exercises OTHER

The control group will engage in a traditional exercise program for 6 weeks, meeting three times weekly

Group 2 (Conventional exercises)

Biofeedback-assisted deep neck flexor retraining OTHER

The experimental group will receive deep neck stabilizer training with pressure biofeedback and traditional exercises for six weeks, three times weekly.

Group 1 (Biofeedback-assisted deep neck flexor retraining )

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis: Chronic neck pain (duration more than 3 months and less than 1 year and 6 months)
• TMJ Dysfunction (RCD TMJ Axis I Confirmation on Helkino Index) Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI) 20-65 score mild to moderate

You may not qualify if:

• Traumatic neck injury
• Neurological disorders
• Cervical spine infection or surgery
• Cancer

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences: lead

Study Sites (1)

Pakistan Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (PSRD)

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

RECRUITING

Related Publications (4)

• Sikka I, Chawla C, Seth S, Alghadir AH, Khan M. Effects of Deep Cervical Flexor Training on Forward Head Posture, Neck Pain, and Functional Status in Adolescents Using Computer Regularly. Biomed Res Int. 2020 Oct 5;2020:8327565. doi: 10.1155/2020/8327565. eCollection 2020.

  PMID: 33083487 BACKGROUND

• Alagingi NK. Chronic neck pain and postural rehabilitation: A literature review. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2022 Oct;32:201-206. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2022.04.017. Epub 2022 Apr 20.

  PMID: 36180150 RESULT

• Aguiar ADS, Nogueira Carrer HC, de Lira MR, Martins Silva GZ, Chaves TC. Patient-Reported Outcome Measurements in Temporomandibular Disorders and Headaches: Summary of Measurement Properties and Applicability. J Clin Med. 2021 Aug 26;10(17):3823. doi: 10.3390/jcm10173823.

  PMID: 34501273 RESULT

• Craciun MD, Geman O, Leuciuc FV, Holubiac IS, Gheorghita D, Filip F. Effectiveness of Physiotherapy in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction and the Relationship with Cervical Spine. Biomedicines. 2022 Nov 17;10(11):2962. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines10112962.

  PMID: 36428529 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Craniomandibular Disorders; Mandibular Diseases; Jaw Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Joint Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Mahrukh Asif, DPT

CONTACT

+923357817810; mahrukhasif45@gmail.com

Umber Nawaz, MSPT, PhD*

CONTACT

+923334888279; umber.nawaz@ubas.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: 2 groups Experimental group (Group 1): deep neck stabilizers training through pressure biofeedback, along with a traditional exercise program Control group (Group 2): traditional exercise program

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 24, 2025
• First Posted: December 5, 2025
• Study Start: November 28, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 28, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 28, 2026
• Last Updated: December 22, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)