Effects of Transcutaneous Neuromodulation and Cervical Exercise in Students With Chronic Nonspecific Cervical Pain

NCT07452237 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: TN AND EXERCISE IN CNCP
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 51
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of a cervical exercise program, transcutaneous neuromodulation of the spinal accessory nerve, and a placebo intervention on pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, cervical proprioception, functional disability, depression, anxiety, and stress in university students with chronic non-specific neck pain. The study will include a six-week intervention period with pre- and post-treatment assessments. The findings may contribute to the development of accessible physiotherapy interventions within university settings.

Conditions

Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain

Keywords

Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain; Neck Pain; University Students; Cervical Exercise; Deep Cervical Flexor Training; Transcutaneous Neuromodulation; Low-Frquency Electrical Stimulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain Intensity

  Pain intensity will be assessed using a 0-10 Visual Analog Scale, where 0 represents no pain and 10 represents the worst imaginable pain.

  Baseline and week 6

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Pressure Pain Threshold

  Baseline and week 6

• Joint Position Sense Error

  Baseline and Week 6

• Neck Disability

  Baseline and week 6

• Depression, anxiety and stress

  Baseline and week 6

Study Arms (3)

Supervised Cervical Exercise Program

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will perform a supervised cervical and scapular strengthening program focused on deep cervical flexor activation and motor control. The intervention will consist of 12 sessions over six weeks (two sessions per week). Exercises will include cranio-cervical flexion movements, isometric contractions in supine, prone, and side-lying positions, and progressive load adjustments guided by the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (target intensity 7/10). Load progression will be implemented after week three to maintain training intensity.

Other: Supervised Cervical Exercise Program

Low-Frequency Transcutaneous Neuromodulation

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive low-frequency electrical stimulation applied bilaterally over the spinal accessory nerve at Erb's point using the Pointer Excel II device. Stimulation parameters will be set at 4 Hz for 5 minutes per side during each session. The intervention will be delivered twice weekly for six weeks.

Device: Low-Frequency Transcutaneous Neuromodulation

Sham Transcutaneous Neuromodulation

SHAM COMPARATOR

Participants will undergo a simulated neuromodulation procedure using the same device and positioning as the active neuromodulation group. No electrical current will be delivered. The device will remain in point-detection mode to produce sound without stimulation. The duration and frequency of sessions will match the active intervention group.

Device: Sham Transcutaneous Neuromodulation

Interventions

Supervised Cervical Exercise Program OTHER

Participants will perform a supervised cervical and scapular strengthening program focused on deep cervical flexor activation and motor control. The intervention will consist of 12 sessions over six weeks (two sessions per week). Exercises will include cranio-cervical flexion movements, isometric contractions in supine, prone, and side-lying positions, and progressive load adjustments guided by the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (target intensity 7/10). Load progression will be implemented after week three to maintain training intensity.

Supervised Cervical Exercise Program

Low-Frequency Transcutaneous Neuromodulation DEVICE

Participants will receive low-frequency electrical stimulation applied bilaterally over the spinal accessory nerve at Erb's point using the Pointer Excel II device. Stimulation parameters will be set at 4 Hz for 5 minutes per side during each session. The intervention will be delivered twice weekly for six weeks.

Low-Frequency Transcutaneous Neuromodulation

Sham Transcutaneous Neuromodulation DEVICE

Participants will undergo a simulated neuromodulation procedure using the same device and positioning as the active neuromodulation group. No electrical current will be delivered. The device will remain in point-detection mode to produce sound without stimulation. The duration and frequency of sessions will match the active intervention group.

Sham Transcutaneous Neuromodulation

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• University students aged 18-30 years
• Chronic non-specific neck pain lasting ≥ 3 months
• Pain intensity \>3/10 on VAS
• No pharmacological or physiotherapy treatment in the past 3 months

You may not qualify if:

• Specific cervical pathology (e.g., radiculopathy)
• Neurological, cardiovascular, systemic, or infectious disease
• Diagnosed psychological disorders
• Pregnancy or postpartum period \< 1 year
• Regular use of analgesics, opioids, or antidepressants
• Previous cervical spine or shoulder surgery
• Electronic implants
• Neck pain associated with vertigo

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Francisco de Vitoria: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 27, 2026
• First Posted: March 5, 2026
• Study Start: April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: May 13, 2026
• Study Completion: July 1, 2026
• Last Updated: March 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03