Exercise for chronic mechanical neck pain
Effects Of Tele-Based Multimodal Versus Bruegger's Relief Exercise Program In Electronic Gadget Users With Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain
This trial will try telehealth-delivered exercise programs to see if they reduce pain and improve movement in adults aged 18–45 with chronic mechanical neck pain who use electronic devices.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Riphah International University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Lahore, Punjab Province) |
| Trial ID | NCT07026019 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized 4-week trial will enroll 40 adults (18–45) with chronic mechanical neck pain and randomly assign them to two exercise groups. An initial in-person assessment at Riphah Rehabilitation Clinic will be followed by supervised treatments delivered via Microsoft Teams. Both groups receive hot packs and baseline neck isometrics, with one group performing Bruegger's relief exercises and the other a multimodal exercise program. Outcomes include pain (NPRS), disability (NDI), cervical range of motion by goniometer, and photogrammetry measures (Kinovea) of posture.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults 18–45 with non-radicular chronic mechanical neck pain who use computers or smartphones for more than 4 hours a day and can attend an initial visit in Lahore and follow up via MS Teams.
Not a fit: Patients with radicular symptoms, prior cervical surgery, inflammatory or structural spinal disease, ongoing cancer therapy, or those unable to use telehealth are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, remote exercise could reduce pain and disability and improve neck mobility for people with chronic mechanical neck pain.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies of posture-focused and telehealth-delivered exercise programs have shown modest improvements in neck pain and function, though results and quality vary.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age group between 18-45 years (10). * Both gender * Neck pain associated with degenerative changes and myofascial pain syndromes * Individuals having localized pain or stiffness in the cervical spine (C3-C7) without upper limb radiculopathy * People with a disability and therefore cannot come to the clinic * People living in highly populated cities where the healthcare system is overcrowded * People who use electronic gadgets i.e. computers, and smartphones for more than 4 hours Exclusion Criteria: * Tuberculosis, carcinoma, heart disease, and osteoporosis * Previous surgery related to the cervical spine * Having radical symptoms such as paresis, tingling, or numbness * Any trauma or localized infection in the neck region * Having inflammatory rheumatologic diseases, or structural deformity * Ongoing radiotherapy, chemotherapy, steroid therapy, or anticoagulants * Positive Spurling's test, traction test, upper limb tension test, and shoulder abduction test
Where this trial is running
Lahore, Punjab Province
- Riphah Rehabilitation Clinic — Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Syed Shakil ur Rehman, PhD — Riphah International University
- Study coordinator: Syed Shakil ur Rehman, PhD
- Email: shakil.urrehman@riphah.edu.pk
- Phone: +92 320 786661
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.