Comparing Cognitive Functional Therapy and Conventional Therapy for Chronic Neck Pain

The Effectiveness of Cognitive Functional Therapy in Adults With Chronic Neck Pain: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

NA · European University Cyprus · NCT06063408

This study is testing whether Cognitive Functional Therapy works better than Conventional Therapy for adults with chronic neck pain.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 64 Years
SexAll
SponsorEuropean University Cyprus (other)
Locations1 site (Nicosia, Engomi)
Trial IDNCT06063408 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Cognitive Functional Therapy compared to Conventional Therapy in treating adults suffering from chronic neck pain. Participants aged 18 to 64 with neck pain lasting more than three months will be screened for eligibility and then randomly assigned to one of the two therapy groups. Each group will receive therapy sessions twice a week for eight weeks, with outcomes assessed by blinded evaluators. The goal is to determine which therapy provides better pain relief and functional improvement.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-64 with chronic neck pain lasting over three months and a pain score above 40 on a 100-point scale.

Not a fit: Patients with serious psychological conditions, recent neck or shoulder surgeries, or specific inflammatory diseases may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more effective treatment options for patients with chronic neck pain.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using cognitive functional therapy for chronic pain management, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18-64
* Pain in neck area for more than 3 months
* Pain in NPRS more than 40/100
* Independently mobile (with or without aids), to be capable of participating in a rehabilitation program twice a week

Exclusion Criteria:

* Serious psychological pathology
* recently surgery on shoulder or neck area (\<6 months)
* Pain relieving procedures such as injection based therapy (e.g epidurals) and day case procedures (e.g rhizotomy) in the last 3 months
* Pregnancy
* Rheumatologic/inflammatory disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis, lupus, scheuermann's disease)
* Progressive neurological disease (e.g. multiple sclerosis (MS), parkinson's disease (PD), motor neuron disease (MND)
* Unstable cardiac conditions
* Red flag disorders like malignancy/cancer, acute traumas like fracture (\<6 months ago) or infection, spinal cord compression/cauda equina

Where this trial is running

Nicosia, Engomi

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Chronic Pain, Chronic neck pain

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.