Whole-Body Vibration vs. Exercises for Chronic Neck Pain in Young Adults

NCT07564492 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: E-60116787-020-664846
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 38
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Chronic neck pain is a prevalent issue among young adults, potentially impacting pain levels, range of motion, posture, balance, and daily functional activities. This study is designed to compare two distinct physical therapy interventions for young individuals diagnosed with chronic non-specific neck pain: Whole-Body Vibration (WBV), involving standing on a vibrating platform, and Sensorimotor Exercise (SME), which focuses on improving neck awareness, coordination, balance, and motor control. The primary objective is to determine whether one of these therapeutic approaches is more effective than the other in enhancing neck-related sensorimotor function, reducing pain intensity, and improving overall functional capacity over a 4-week intervention period. The study population consists of male and female university students aged 18 to 30 years presenting with chronic neck pain. The investigators anticipate that while both intervention protocols may yield clinical benefits, the comparative results will demonstrate which method provides superior short-term improvements in pain management and cervical function.

Conditions

Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain; Sensorimotor Function; Whole-body Vibration; Sensorimotor Exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• hange from Baseline in Functional Disability Score on the Neck Disability Index (NDI).

  The disability level of the participants related to neck pain was measured using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), which is the most widely used region-specific assessment tool. Developed by Vernon and Mior, this questionnaire is valid, reliable, and sensitive for both acute and chronic conditions, including musculoskeletal neck pain, whiplash injury, and cervical radiculopathy. The Turkish cultural adaptation, validity, and reliability were established by Aslan Telci et al. The NDI consists of 10 sections, each scored from 0 to 5 (0 = no disability, 5 = most severe disability), covering pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headache, concentration, work, driving, sleep, and leisure activities. Total scores range from 0 to 50, where higher scores indicate greater disability. Disability levels are categorized as: 0-4 points (no disability), 5-14 points (mild), 15-24 points (moderate), 25-34 points (severe), and 35 or above (total). The minimal clinically important difference.

  Baseline and at the end of treatment (4 weeks).

• Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  Participants' pain perception was evaluated using the VAS, a tool widely utilized in clinical and scientific research that ranges from 0 to 10 points (0=no pain, 10=maximum pain). Pain intensity was categorized according to the classification described, using the VAS scoring system, which is a validated and reliable scale for measuring musculoskeletal pain.

  Baseline and at the end of treatment (4 weeks).

Secondary Outcomes (9)

• Joint Position Sense Error (JPSE) test.

  Baseline and at the end of treatment (4 weeks).

• Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device.

  Baseline and at the end of treatment (4 weeks).

• Cervical Deep Neck Flexor Muscle Endurance Test.

  Baseline and at the end of treatment (4 weeks).

• Gaze Stability Test

  Baseline and at the end of treatment (4 weeks)

• The Single-leg Stance Test

  Baseline and at the end of treatment (4 weeks).

Study Arms (2)

Whole Body Vibration

EXPERIMENTAL

Device: Whole Body Vibration

Sensorimotor Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Procedure: Sensorimotor Training

Interventions

Whole Body Vibration DEVICE

Participants received Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) training 3 days a week for a total of 4 weeks, totaling 12 sessions. Each session consisted of 10 sets of vibration. Each set involved 30 seconds of vibration followed by a 30-second rest period. The training was performed on a Compex Winplate™ vibration platform at a frequency of 30 Hz and an amplitude of 4 mm. Participants performed the exercises barefoot while maintaining various positions, starting from a static semi-squat (15° mini-squat) and progressing to more dynamic and advanced balance tasks across three levels. Each session initially lasted 12-15 minutes and progressed to 20-25 minutes based on participant tolerance.

Whole Body Vibration

Sensorimotor Training PROCEDURE

Participants underwent a structured and progressive sensorimotor exercise program conducted 3 days a week for a total of 4 weeks. The protocol was tailored across three stages, with session durations increasing from an initial 12-15 minutes to 20 minutes. Key components included oculomotor and eye-head coordination tasks using a laser pointer for gaze stability, as well as static and dynamic balance exercises that progressed from wide to narrow bases of support and from stable to unstable surfaces. Additionally, the program incorporated deep neck flexor strengthening through precision-focused chin-tuck exercises using small exercise balls, and functional tasks such as squatting combined with laser pointer tracking. Exercises progressed from 5-7 repetitions to 10-12 repetitions per session based on individual tolerance, with 1-3 minute rest intervals provided between sets.

Sensorimotor Training

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis of non-specific neck pain,
• Age of 18 years or older,
• History of neck pain for at least 3 months,
• Pain intensity score of 3 or higher on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS),
• Functional disability score of 5 or higher on the Neck Disability Index (NDI),
• Sufficient literacy to complete the assessment scales.

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosis of disc herniation or spinal stenosis,
• History of spinal surgery or major trauma,
• Systemic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or advanced arthrosis,
• Neurological diseases or balance disorders,
• Severe pain in other body parts or recent lower extremity injuries.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Pamukkale University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Pamukkale University, Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.

Denizli, Denizli, 20160, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

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: MSc Student in Physical Therapy / Physiotherapy

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 15, 2026
• First Posted: May 4, 2026
• Study Start: May 30, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 20, 2026
• Study Completion: March 20, 2026
• Last Updated: May 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

TU (1)