RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07040605

Deep Cervical Flexor and Sensorimotor Training for Chronic Neck Pain

Effect of Deep Cervical Flexor Muscle Training and Sensorimotor Training in Patient With Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain

Sponsor

Al-Neelain University

Enrollment

60 participants

Start Date

Jun 19, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Mechanical neck pain.

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effectiveness of deep cervical flexor muscle training combined with sensorimotor (proprioception) training in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. The study will be conducted in outpatient clinic of the faculty of physical therapy- Cairo University, involving 60 participants aged 20-40 years with neck pain persisting for more than three months. Participants will be randomly allocated into an experimental group receiving conventional physical therapy plus deep flexor and sensorimotor training, and a control group receiving conventional treatment alone. Outcome measures will include pain intensity, craniovertebral angle (CVA), cervical range of motion (ROM), segmental mobility, neuromotor control, proprioception (head repositioning accuracy), and respiratory function (FEV1 and PEF). Assessments will be performed at baseline and after four weeks of intervention. The study seeks to provide evidence-based recommendations for physiotherapy management of mechanical neck pain, particularly addressing the gaps in literature within the regional context.

Eligibility

Min Age: 20 YearsMax Age: 40 Years

Inclusion Criteria4

Participants aged between 20-40 years.
participant having neck pain report more than 4 in NPRS, and at least within the last three months known as chronic pain.
participant with CVA more than 45 degrees and less than 50.
Participant with poor cervical muscle endurance.

Exclusion Criteria6

Participant with acute neck pain (less than three month).
Participant with radiated neck pain.
Participant who undergone recent surgeries within the thoracic, shoulder girdle, and cervical spine regions.
Participants who were already undergoing treatment for neck pain.
Participant with fixed spinal deformity.
Pregnant women.

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Interventions

OTHERDeep cervical flexors muscle training and sensorimotor training

deep cervical flexor muscle training will be performed according to the protocol of Jull and Falla using a pressure biofeedback unit. Participants will be positioned in a supine crook-lying posture with the neck in a neutral position, and the air bag of the pressure biofeedback unit will be placed beneath the cervical lordosis and inflated to a baseline of 20 mmHg. Patients will be instructed to perform a gentle nodding action, increasing the pressure by 2 mmHg increments up to 30 mmHg. Each increment will be held for ten seconds, repeated in three sets of ten repetitions, with a two-minute rest between sets. To enhance activation of the deep flexors, patients will be instructed to keep their mouth open during the exercise. Proprioception training will include head relocation practice, oculomotor exercises, and eye-head coordination exercises.

OTHERconventional physical therapy exercise

will include stretching exercises targeting the sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, levator scapulae, scalene, Rhomboids and pectoralis muscles, performed in three repetitions, holding each stretch for thirty seconds, strengthening exercises will be provided Isometrically for the cervical flexors, extensors and at sides using a prescription of three sets of ten repetitions with a ten-second hold and two minutes of rest between sets. TENS and Hot back.