Connective tissue massage or electrotherapy together with stabilization exercises for chronic neck pain

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial will enroll 51 adults aged 18–65 with chronic non-specific neck pain and randomly assign them to three groups. One group will perform stabilization exercises alone, a second will add connective tissue massage, and a third will add electrotherapy (infrared, continuous ultrasound, and TENS). Interventions are supervised twice weekly for 8 weeks with daily home exercises supported by illustrated brochures. Primary outcomes are pain, disability, and deep cervical flexor endurance, with secondary outcomes including quality of life, cervical range of motion, and scapular function.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Being between 18 and 65 years of age,
* Having non-specific chronic neck pain localized to the posterior cervical spine between the occipital region and the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra,
* Being able to cooperate with the assessments to be performed in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Neck pain resulting from trauma within the past 6 months;
* A history of surgery related to cervical problems;
* Clinical signs of cervical radiculopathy and/or myelopathy;
* Inflammatory arthritis involving the cervical spine;
* Tumors or infections of the cervical spine;
* Vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency;
* Neurological disorders (such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or syringomyelia);
* Congenital anomalies affecting the spine; systemic diseases (such as diabetes mellitus);
* Shoulder pathologies (including tendinitis, bursitis, or capsulitis).

Where it's running

• Fenerbahçe Üniversitesi
  Ataşehir, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Burcu AKKURT, PhD
• Email: burcu.akkurt@fbu.edu.tr
• Phone: +905536046713

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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• Kinematics and Muscle Activity of the Scapula in Violin/Viola Players With Neck Pain

  This study will test whether scapular movement and muscle activity differ between upper-string musicians with neck pain and those without, while they perform playing and arm-elevation tasks.

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.