Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises on Pain, Grip Strength, and Anthropometric Measures in Women With Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain

NCT07816939 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2026-79
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Chronic nonspecific neck pain may affect the mechanical loading of the cervical region and trunk stabilization. Diaphragmatic breathing exercises may contribute to postural control and trunk stabilization in addition to their role in breathing. This randomized controlled study investigated the effects of adding diaphragmatic breathing exercises to posture and core stabilization exercises on pain, grip strength, and anthropometric measurements in women with chronic nonspecific neck pain. Forty women aged 18-60 years with chronic nonspecific neck pain lasting at least three months participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group, with 20 participants in each group. Both groups performed posture and core stabilization exercises twice weekly for eight weeks. The intervention group additionally performed 10 minutes of diaphragmatic breathing exercises during each session. Pain intensity, right and left hand grip strength, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio were assessed before and after the exercise program. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, grip strength using a hydraulic hand dynamometer, and anthropometric measurements according to International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry standards. The results showed that adding diaphragmatic breathing exercises may provide additional benefits, particularly in reducing activity-related pain in women with chronic nonspecific neck pain.

Conditions

Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain

Keywords

Chronic nonspecific neck pain; Diaphragmatic breathing; Core stabilization; Posture exercises; Grip strength; Anthropometry

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Resting Pain Intensity

  Resting pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Participants marked their current pain intensity on a 10-cm line ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). The distance from the starting point was recorded in centimeters.

  Baseline and Week 8

• Right Hand Grip Strength

  Right hand grip strength was measured using a Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer. Three measurements were performed with a one-minute rest interval between trials, and the highest value was recorded in kilograms

  Baseline and Week 8

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Activity Pain Intensity

  Baseline and Week 8

• Waist-to-Hip Ratio

  Baseline and Week 8

Other Outcomes (3)

• Left Hand Grip Strength

  Baseline and Week 8

• Body Mass Index

  Baseline and Week 8

• Waist-to-Height Ratio

  Baseline and Week 8

Study Arms (2)

Diaphragmatic Breathing + Posture and Core Stabilization

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive posture and core stabilization exercises plus diaphragmatic breathing exercises for 8 weeks, twice weekly.

Behavioral: Posture and Core Stabilization Exercises; Behavioral: Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises

Posture and Core Stabilization

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants receive posture and core stabilization exercises for 8 weeks, twice weekly, without diaphragmatic breathing exercises.

Behavioral: Posture and Core Stabilization Exercises

Interventions

Posture and Core Stabilization Exercises BEHAVIORAL

Participants perform posture and core stabilization exercises twice weekly for 8 weeks.

Diaphragmatic Breathing + Posture and Core Stabilization; Posture and Core Stabilization

Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises BEHAVIORAL

Participants in the intervention group perform diaphragmatic breathing exercises for 10 minutes twice weekly for 8 weeks in addition to posture and core stabilization exercises.

Diaphragmatic Breathing + Posture and Core Stabilization

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Women aged 18-60 years.
• Presence of non-specific chronic neck pain lasting for at least 3 months.
• No participation in a physiotherapy program during the previous 3 months.
• Voluntary participation in the study and provision of written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Previous cervical spine surgery.
• Acute infection or major surgery within the previous 3 months.
• History of malignancy.
• Neurological, rheumatological, or respiratory disease that could affect study participation or outcomes.
• Pregnancy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Melike Gültekin: lead

Study Sites (1)

Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi

Trabzon, Ortahisar, 61080, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Posture

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 7, 2026
• First Posted: September 14, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: September 1, 2026
• Study Completion: September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: September 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)