Health TrialsbyHealthPanel

Effect of Cervical Force Control Training on Force Sense and Steadiness in Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain

ConditionsChronic Non-specific Neck PainNeck Pain
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-24
SponsorCairo University

About this trial

Chronic non-specific neck pain (CNSNP) is a very common issue among young adults, often linked to poor posture, prolonged screen time, and sedentary habits. This persistent pain can change how the neck muscles work and control movement. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a specific type of rehabilitation-called "cervical force control training"-can help improve how well people can feel and control their neck muscle strength, and whether this reduces their pain and improves their daily function.

Researchers will invite young adults (18 to 24 years old) who have had neck pain for at least 3 months to participate. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups:

Force Control Training Group: Will receive a new training program that uses a handheld dynamometer with a screen to help them practice holding steady, precise neck muscle contractions with visual feedback.

Conventional Exercise Group: Will receive a standard physical therapy program consisting of neck muscle stretches and shoulder-blade strengthening exercises.

Both groups will perform their exercises 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Researchers will measure participants' neck muscle steadiness, pain levels, and neck disability before the program starts, right after the 8-week program ends, and again at a 3-month follow-up to evaluate the long-lasting effects.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Patients diagnosed with Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain (CNSNP) lasting >= 3 months.

Body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 29.9 kg/m² (non-obese).

Pain intensity >= 30 mm on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Neck disability ranging from mild to moderate (10% to 48%) on the Neck Disability Index (NDI).

Disqualifiers

Shoulder/upper limb fractures or replacement (<12 months), or moderate-severe shoulder osteoarthritis (OA).

Cervical radiculopathy/myelopathy, peripheral neuropathy, vestibular disorders, or history of stroke/Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).

Upper limb pathology (tendinopathy, capsulitis), thoracic outlet syndrome, or fibromyalgia.

Received neck-specific physiotherapy within the last 3 months.

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Cervical Force Control Training

    Behavioral

    An 8-week program (3 sessions/week, 30-40 mins each) utilizing submaximal isometric neck contractions with visual feedback via a Handheld Dynamometer. The protocol progresses through three phases: initial calibration, acquisition using descending target intensities (25% to 10% MVIC) with continuous visual tracking, and retention/transfer using faded or no feedback combined with dual-tasking (e.g., auditory monitoring or arithmetic).

  • Conventional Exercise Training

    Behavioral

    An 8-week program (3 sessions/week, 30 mins each) consisting of standard cervical stretching for the upper trapezius and levator scapulae muscles, alongside scapular strengthening and stabilization exercises (e.g., side-lying external rotation, side-lying forward flexion, prone extension, and push-up plus). Resistance is tailored based on patient gender and body weight.

Treatment groups

32 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Experimental Group: Force Control TrainingExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Active Comparator: Conventional Exercise TrainingActive comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Cervical Force Sense

Assessed using a Handheld Dynamometer (HHD) during force reproduction tasks. It is measured by calculating the absolute error between a target submaximal force and the reproduced force without visual feedback. Lower error values indicate better force sense and proprioception.

Time frame
Baseline, 8 weeks (immediately post-intervention), and 3-month follow-up
2

Cervical Force Steadiness

Evaluated by calculating the Coefficient of Variation (CoV) of force during submaximal isometric cervical contractions using a Handheld Dynamometer (HHD). Lower CoV percentages indicate better force steadiness and neuromuscular control.

Time frame
Baseline, 8 weeks (immediately post-intervention), and 3-month follow-up

Secondary outcomes

1

Neck Functional Disability (Neck Disability Index - NDI)

A 10-item patient-completed questionnaire assessing how neck pain affects the ability to manage everyday life activities. Total scores range from 0 to 50, which can be expressed as a percentage (0-100%). Higher scores indicate greater patient-rated functional disability.

Time frame
Baseline, 8 weeks (immediately post-intervention), and 3-month follow-up
2

Pain Intensity (Visual Analogue Scale - VAS)

Pain intensity is assessed using a 100-mm horizontal line, anchored by "no pain" at 0 mm and "worst imaginable pain" at 100 mm. Lower scores indicate a lower level of pain.

Time frame
Baseline, 8 weeks (immediately post-intervention), and 3-month follow-up

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

Cairo University

Lead sponsor

Kafrelsheikh University

Sponsor institution

Source ClinicalTrials.gov

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