Fear of movement, pain intensity, and disability in chronic neck pain
Kinesiophobia As A Mediator Of The Association Between Pain Intensity And Disability In Chronic Neck Pain
This project will test whether fear of movement (kinesiophobia) explains how pain intensity leads to disability in adults who have had neck pain for at least three months.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 250 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Ondokuz Mayıs University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Samsun, Samsun) |
| Trial ID | NCT07525557 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a cross-sectional observational study enrolling adults with chronic neck pain to complete validated self-report questionnaires on pain intensity, kinesiophobia, disability, and physical activity. Researchers will use mediation analysis to examine whether kinesiophobia links pain severity to multidimensional measures of neck- and upper-extremity–related disability. Participants with recent cervical surgery, neurological disease, radiculopathy, inflammatory or neoplastic neck conditions, traumatic neck injury, or cognitive impairment are excluded. Findings aim to clarify psychological mechanisms that could guide more targeted rehabilitation approaches.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with chronic neck pain persisting at least three months who can understand and complete questionnaires and do not have excluded cervical or neurological conditions are eligible.
Not a fit: People with acute neck pain (<3 months), prior cervical surgery, cervical radiculopathy or neurological disease, inflammatory/neoplastic/traumatic neck conditions, or cognitive impairment are not eligible and would not benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If kinesiophobia helps explain disability, targeting fear of movement in rehabilitation could reduce functional limitations for people with chronic neck pain.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational work in neck and low back pain has often found kinesiophobia is associated with greater disability, though results vary and cross-sectional data cannot establish causation.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals aged 18 years or older * Presence of chronic neck pain lasting at least 3 months * Ability to understand and complete questionnaires * Voluntary participation Exclusion Criteria: * Acute neck pain (\< 3 months) * History of cervical spine surgery * Neurological disease or cervical radiculopathy * Inflammatory, neoplastic, or traumatic conditions affecting the neck * Cognitive impairment preventing questionnaire completion
Where this trial is running
Samsun, Samsun
- Samsun Romatem Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital — Samsun, Samsun, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Mine PEKESEN KURTÇA, ASISTANT PROFESSOR, PhD
- Email: mine.pekesenkurtca@omu.edu.tr
- Phone: +903623121919
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.