How doing another task affects walking in adults with nonspecific neck pain
Investigation of the Effects of Dual-Tasking on Gait Variability and Symmetry in Individuals With Nonspecific Neck Pain
This project will see if doing another task while walking (carrying a tray or counting letters) changes walking patterns in adults 18–60 with nonspecific neck pain compared with people without neck pain.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 42 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hacettepe University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ankara) |
| Trial ID | NCT07158281 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This cross-sectional study will recruit 21 adults with chronic nonspecific neck pain and 21 age-matched healthy controls aged 18–60. Participants will complete three walking conditions—self-paced walking, motor dual-task walking while carrying a tray with a glass of water, and cognitive dual-task walking while verbally reporting letter counts—while wearing a BTS G-Walk lumbar accelerometer to record temporospatial gait parameters. Primary outcomes are gait variability and gait symmetry computed from accelerometry across the three conditions, and secondary outcomes include pain characteristics, the Neck Disability Index, and the Bournemouth Neck Questionnaire. The investigators hypothesize that motor and cognitive dual-tasking will alter gait variability and symmetry differently in the neck pain group compared with controls, which could guide individualized rehabilitation.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults aged 18–60 with nonspecific neck pain lasting at least 3 months and an NDI score ≥10 who can give informed consent, along with age-matched healthy adults without neck or neurological/musculoskeletal disorders for the control group.
Not a fit: People with prior spinal surgery, traumatic cervical injury, diagnosed cervical radiculopathy, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, disc herniation, neurological or systemic disease, musculoskeletal gait disorders, or cognitive/psychiatric conditions are excluded and would not be expected to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help clinicians tailor rehabilitation by showing how motor and cognitive tasks change walking in people with nonspecific neck pain.
How similar studies have performed: Dual-task effects on gait have been reported in other musculoskeletal and neurological populations, but wearable sensor–based dual-task analysis specifically in nonspecific neck pain remains relatively limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * for NSNP group: * Adults aged 18-60 years * History of nonspecific neck pain lasting at least 3 months * Neck Disability Index (NDI) score ≥10 * Willingness to participate and provide informed consent * for the Healthy Control group * Adults aged 18-60 years * No history of neck pain or musculoskeletal/neurological/systemic disorders * Willingness to participate and provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria:(applies to both groups): * Previous spinal surgery * History of traumatic cervical injury * Diagnosed cervical radiculopathy, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, or disc herniation * Presence of any neurological or systemic disease * Musculoskeletal disorders affecting gait performance * Cognitive impairment or psychiatric conditions interfering with test participation
Where this trial is running
Ankara
- Yuksek Ihtisas University — Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Busra Kalkan Balak — Yuksek Ihtisas University
- Study coordinator: Gungor Beyza Ozvar Senoz
- Email: beyzaozvar@gmail.com
- Phone: 505 388 86 17
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.