Breathing exercises versus neck muscle training for chronic neck pain
Official title: Effect of Respiratory Muscle Exercises Versus Deep Neck Flexor Training on Pain, Function and Neck Muscle Endurance in Patients With Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain
Run by Cairo University · NCT07531537 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test whether adding diaphragmatic breathing or low‑load deep neck flexor training to standard physiotherapy helps adults aged 18–35 with chronic mechanical neck pain feel less pain and move better.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 66 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Cairo University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Zagazig) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 10, 2026 |
| Main results expected | October 2026 |
| Study ends | December 2026 |
| Registry record updated | April 22, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07531537 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults 18–35 with mechanical neck pain lasting longer than three months who are lifetime non-smokers and non-alcoholic and do not have exclusionary spine, inflammatory, neurological, or cardiopulmonary conditions.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with a history of cervical trauma or fracture, prior spinal surgery, cervical disc pathology or radiculopathy, inflammatory or malignant disease, pregnancy, current muscle‑relaxant use, or respiratory/cardiovascular illness may not benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Sixty-six adults aged 18–35 with mechanical neck pain lasting more than three months will be randomized into three groups. One group will add diaphragmatic breathing and respiratory muscle stretch gymnastics to a conventional physiotherapy program, a second will add low‑load craniocervical flexion training using feedback from an air‑filled pressure sensor, and a control group will receive the conventional program alone (TENS, infrared, isometric neck exercises). Outcomes measured before and after the intervention will include pain, cervical range of motion, cervical muscle endurance, functional status, and chest expansion. The trial is conducted at the Taheel Center for Physiotherapy under Cairo University oversight.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the added breathing or deep neck flexor exercises could reduce pain, improve neck movement and muscle endurance, and increase chest expansion for people with chronic mechanical neck pain.
How similar studies have gone: Low‑load deep neck flexor training has demonstrated benefits in prior studies and there is emerging evidence supporting breathing exercises for neck pain, but direct comparisons between these approaches remain limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patients have mechanical neck pain lasting longer than three months. 2. The ages of patients range from 18 to 35 years. 3. Patients are lifetime non-smoker and non-alcoholic. Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of trauma or cervical spine fractures. 2. Previous spinal surgery. 3. Any inflammatory pathology. 4. Any cervical disc pathology and neurological signs. 5. Malignancy. 6. Cervical radiculopathy. 7. Rheumatoid arthritis. 8. Pregnant female. 9. Currently using muscle relaxation medication. 10. History of respiratory and cardiovascular illness
Where it's running
-
Taheel center for physiotherapy
Zagazig, Egypt Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: ola ismail ibrahim, M.Sc.
- Email: olaismailibrahim@gmail.com
- Phone: +201008283364
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.