Breathing exercises versus neck muscle training for chronic neck pain

Effect of Respiratory Muscle Exercises Versus Deep Neck Flexor Training on Pain, Function and Neck Muscle Endurance in Patients With Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain

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

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 66 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 35 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Cairo University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Zagazig)
• Trial ID: NCT07531537 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

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.

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.

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 performed: 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.

Eligibility 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 this trial is running

Zagazig

• Taheel center for physiotherapy — Zagazig, Egypt (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: ola ismail ibrahim, M.Sc.

Conditions Chronic Neck Pain; chronic neck pain; deep neck flexor training; respiratory exercises