Comparing tele-rehabilitation, in-person, and mixed exercise programs for chronic non-specific neck pain.
Telerehabilitation, Face-to-Face Exercises, and a Mixed Model in Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain
This study will try three ways of delivering supervised neck exercises—live video telerehab, in-person sessions, and a mixed approach—for adults 20–40 who have had non-specific neck pain for at least three months.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 68 (estimated) |
| Ages | 20 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Cairo University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Cairo) |
| Trial ID | NCT07302958 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults meeting the age and symptom-duration criteria are assigned to one of three intervention arms: real-time video-guided neck exercises, traditional in-person supervised exercises, or a hybrid combination of both delivery methods. The trial measures changes in pain intensity and functional disability and also records cervical range of motion, fear of movement (kinesiophobia), patient satisfaction, and adherence to the exercise program. Outcomes will be compared across the three groups to determine whether the delivery model influences results. Participants must have a compatible device and stable internet for tele-rehabilitation components and attend the Faculty of Physical Therapy at Cairo University for any required in-person visits.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 20–40 with chronic non-specific neck pain lasting three months or longer who have stable internet access and can use a computer, tablet, or smartphone are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients whose neck pain stems from specific pathologies (e.g., fracture, infection, malignancy), those with recent neck surgery, severe neurological deficits, cognitive or language barriers, those outside the 20–40 age range, or those without device/internet access are unlikely to qualify or benefit from these interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could identify which delivery method best reduces pain and disability and help expand access to effective remote or hybrid physiotherapy options.
How similar studies have performed: Previous musculoskeletal physiotherapy research, including studies on neck and low back pain, has shown telerehabilitation can produce outcomes similar to in-person care, but direct head-to-head comparisons among tele, face-to-face, and hybrid models remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria Patients will be included in the study if they fulfil the following criteria: * Adults (20-40 years) with chronic non-specific neck pain (≥3 months' duration). * Participants with stable internet, and experienced in using either computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Exclusion Criteria Patients will be excluded if they had: 1. Neck pain due to specific pathologies (e.g., fractures, infections, or malignancies) and severe neurological deficits. 2. History of neck surgery. 3. Participants with cognitive impairments or language barriers that would prevent them from following the interventions.
Where this trial is running
Cairo
- Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University — Cairo, Egypt (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Mona Mohamed Ibrahim, Assistant Professor — Cairo University
- Study coordinator: Amr Ahmad Fallatah, Doctoral
- Email: aam_fallatah@hotmail.com
- Phone: 00966505536390
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.