The Cervical "STRETCH" Study

NCT07440030 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: X26IRB003
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 75
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Neck pain and reduced cervical range of motion (ROM) are common musculoskeletal concerns that can significantly impact an individual's quality of life and daily routine. This is especially true for medical students who spend a disproportionate amount of time on their computers or mobile devices, as is required by their long study hours. A simple stretching routine is often recommended by physicians and physical therapists alike, but there is little research examining short-term changes in cervical range of motion (ROM) and pain when a brief, structured daily stretching program is used. The goal of this single-group study is to test feasibility and determine how well a daily cervical stretching regimen affects cervical ROM and self-reported pain in osteopathic medical students with cervical ROM restrictions. Researchers will measure changes in cervical ROM using a goniometer and changes in pain levels via the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Participants will be asked to complete a 7-day period of no stretching, during which natural measurements will be taken, followed by 7 days of completing the 5-minute stretching routine, after which more measurements will be taken. Participants will also be asked to complete a post-study survey and a 1-month follow-up survey to provide feedback on the study and the stretching routine.

Conditions

Cervical Spine

Keywords

cervical spine; stretching; flexion; extension; cervical restrictions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Changes in Cervical Range of Motion (ROM)

  Changes in cervical range of motion (ROM) will be analyzed using goniometer measurements in degrees. The measurements of cervical ROM will include flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral flexion. A blinded assessor will conduct assessments to minimize measurement bias.

  Baseline to Day 7 pre-stretch, to Day 7 post-stretch, to Day 14.

• Changes in Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  Changes in pain levels will be measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). This will allow for assessment of subjective pain intensity. The instrument is scored on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain), with accompanying representative facial expressions.

  Baseline to Day 7 pre-stretch, to Day 7 post-stretch, to Day 14

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Changes in the Neck Disability Index (NDI)

  Baseline to Day 7 pre-stretch, to Day 7 post-stretch, to Day 14

• Participant Feedback on the Feasibility/Effectiveness of the Stretching Routine and How Experience Might Influence Their Approach to Patient Care

  Day 14 post-intervention to Day 30 (1-month follow-up)

• Adherence Rates to Stretching Regimen

  Baseline to Day 14 to 1 Month Follow-up

Study Arms (1)

Guided Cervical Stretching Regimen

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will complete a 5-minute guided cervical stretching routine and will be given a video to follow for 7 consecutive days (Days 8-14), following a 7-day baseline observation period without intervention.

Behavioral: Guided Cervical Stretching Regimen

Interventions

Guided Cervical Stretching Regimen BEHAVIORAL

Participants will perform a standardized 5-minute guided cervical stretching routine once daily for 7 days. The instruction will be delivered via an in-person tutorial on the first day, followed by a pre-recorded instructional video that participants will follow each of the following 6 days. The stretching routine will target cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation movements.

Guided Cervical Stretching Regimen

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Must be currently enrolled OMSI or OMSII student at the Western University of Health Sciences (WUHS), College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP).
• Demonstrates a range of motion restriction or presents with cervical pain or both. (Normal range of motion in the cervical spine is Flexion and Extension of 60 degrees, Sidebending of 45 degrees, and Rotation of 8090 degrees.)
• Reports mild to moderate cervical pain (VAS score between 2 and 5 or mild to moderate).
• Agrees to complete daily cervical stretching exercises as instructed and will adhere to all study protocols.
• Must be 18 years or older.

You may not qualify if:

• History of severe cervical spine injuries (e.g., fractures, herniated discs requiring surgical intervention, cervical radiculopathy, or myelopathy).
• Diagnosed inflammatory or degenerative conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis).
• Contraindications to stretching exercises, such as recent surgery or other physical therapy restrictions.
• Conditions that affect neuromuscular function or ROM measurements, such as multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy.
• VAS score \> 7 or pain severe enough to inhibit participation in daily stretching exercises.
• Below the age of 18

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Western University of Health Sciences: lead

Study Sites (1)

Western University of Health Sciences

Pomona, California, 91767, United States

Location

Central Study Contacts

Krista Lund, DO

CONTACT

909-469-8384; lundk@westernu.edu

Eric S Martinez, BS

CONTACT

909-469-5224; ericmartinez@westernu.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: The measurements will be conducted by blinded assessors who are unaware of which day/time point the measurements are being taken for each participant. Another investigator will then take those measurements and enter them into the record for the appropriate time slot for each participant.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor of NMM/OMM and Family Medicine

Model Details: A single-arm prospective study with a non-randomized within-subject control phase.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 23, 2026
• First Posted: February 27, 2026
• Study Start: March 10, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 30, 2026
• Last Updated: February 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

US (1)