Comparison of Manipulation, Mobilization, and Exercise for Nonspecific Neck Tension

NCT07751601 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: IRU-ZSC-FTR-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the effects of different physiotherapy approaches, such as manipulation, mobilization, and neck exercises, on pain, range of motion, neck functionality, quality of life, muscle tightness, and psychological status in individuals with non-specific neck tension. Throughout the study, the clinical, physical, and myofascial parameters, as well as the psychological statuses of the patients, were recorded through detailed evaluations conducted before and after the treatment, within the framework of a treatment program planned as 2 sessions per week for a total of 8 sessions over 4 weeks.

Conditions

Non-Specific Neck Strain; Neck Pain Treatment

Keywords

Non-Specific Neck Strain; cervical exercise; manipulation; boyun ağrısı; cervical region

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Visual Analog Scale

  Measurement of pain intensity.

  At baseline and the 4-week treatment period.

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Goniometric Measurement (ROM)

  At baseline and the 4-week treatment period.

Other Outcomes (4)

• Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale

  At baseline and the 4-week treatment period.

• Short Form-36 (SF-36)

  At baseline and the 4-week treatment period.

• Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Anxiety Subscale

  At baseline and the 4-week treatment period.

Study Arms (3)

Manipulation and Exercise Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group receive a comprehensive intervention consisting of cervical manipulation (general cervical, C1), and thoracic manipulation, combined with a standardized exercise program. The exercise program includes neck flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation, pectoral and trapezius stretching, and chin tuck exercises.

Other: Manipulation and Exercise

Mobilization and Exercise Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group receive a comprehensive intervention consisting of cervical mobilization (C2-C4 levels), thoracic mobilization, traction with rotation, and anterior-posterior/lateral gliding techniques, combined with the same standardized exercise program as the other groups. The exercise program includes neck flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation, pectoral and trapezius stretching, and chin tuck exercises.

Other: Mobilization and Exercise

Exercise Only Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group receive only the standardized exercise program. This program includes neck flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation, pectoral and trapezius stretching, and chin tuck exercises.

Behavioral: Standardized Exercise Program

Interventions

Manipulation and Exercise OTHER

Participants undergo cervical (general, C1) and thoracic manipulation, followed by a standardized exercise program including neck range of motion exercises (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation), pectoral and trapezius stretching, and chin tucks.

Manipulation and Exercise Group

Mobilization and Exercise OTHER

Participants undergo cervical (C2-C4) and thoracic mobilization, traction with rotation, and gliding techniques (anterior-posterior/lateral), followed by the same standardized exercise program as mentioned above (neck ROM, stretching, chin tucks).

Mobilization and Exercise Group

Standardized Exercise Program BEHAVIORAL

Participants perform only the standardized exercise program consisting of neck range of motion exercises (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation), pectoral and trapezius stretching, and chin tuck exercises.

Exercise Only Group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• \- Non-specific neck muscle tension
• Being between 18-30 years of age
• Not having a chronic disease
• Not having undergone any surgery,
• Having limited mobility in the cervical region
• Having at least 2 pains according to the Visual Analog Scale at rest
• Individuals with subacute and chronic non-specific neck pain were included in this study
• Having a negative vertebrobasilar artery test

You may not qualify if:

• Having a chronic systemic disease
• Having cervical straightening and cervical herniation (with a diagnosis and report)
• Having undergone surgery
• Having instability in the cervical joints and trauma within the last year
• Having severe osteoporosis
• Having neurological findings
• Having received physical therapy within the last 6 months
• Having vertigo

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Rumeli University: lead

Study Sites (1)

İstanbul Rumeli Üniversitesi

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Exercise

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Gamze BAŞKENT, Dr

  Istanbul Rumeli University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The outcome assessor was blinded to group allocation. However, the physical therapist (care provider) and the participants were not blinded due to the nature of the physical therapy interventions.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Physiotherapist

Model Details: This is a parallel-group study with three arms. Participants are randomly assigned to one of the following groups: Group 1 receives manipulation and exercise; Group 2 receives mobilization and exercise; and Group 3 (control group) receives only exercise.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 26, 2026
• First Posted: August 7, 2026
• Study Start: November 25, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 22, 2026
• Study Completion: June 18, 2026
• Last Updated: August 7, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)