Clinical trial NCT06991140: Investigation of the Efficacy of Thoracic Mobilization Exercises Performed in Addition to Core Stabilization Exercises in Individuals With Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain
Official title: Investigation of the Efficacy of Thoracic Mobilization Exercises Performed in Addition to Core Stabilization Exercises in Individuals With Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Neck Pain
Keywords: neck pain
mobilization
Lead sponsor: Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-05-25
Enrollment: 54
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 65
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: randomized controlled trials
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints worldwide and is an important health problem that restricts the daily life activities of individuals. In particular, chronic non-specific neck pain (CNSNP) describes pain that persists for at least 12 weeks without an underlying specific pathological cause and affects a large segment of the population. CNSNP leads not only to pain but also to functional limitations, postural disorders and decreased quality of life.

In recent years, exercise-based approaches, especially core stabilisation exercises, have become prominent in the treatment of CNSNP. Core stabilisation exercises aim to increase postural control, improve segmental stability and thus reduce pain by activating deep muscle groups around the spine. However, it has been reported that exercises targeting only local muscle groups may be insufficient to meet the high-level biomechanical and neuromuscular needs of the cervical spine.

In this context, the effect of the mobility of the thoracic spine on neck function is noteworthy. Hypomobility in the thoracic region may contribute to pain and dysfunction by increasing the load on the cervical spine. Therefore, it is thought that adding thoracic mobilisation exercises to core stabilisation exercises may be more effective in improving neck pain and postural disorders.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adding thoracic mobilisation to a core stabilisation exercise programme in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain.

Detailed description: Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems on a global scale and causes a significant decrease in the quality of life by negatively affecting the social, occupational and physical functionality of individuals. It is reported that approximately 30-50% of individuals experience neck pain every year and a significant proportion of these complaints become chronic. Chronic non-specific neck pain (CNSNP) is defined as neck pain that persists for more than three months without an underlying anatomical or pathological cause and is the most common type of neck pain encountered in clinical practice. In the treatment of CNSNP, both symptom relief and correction of underlying mechanical disorders are important.

In rehabilitation programmes for neck pain, core stabilisation exercises are widely used to strengthen spinal stability and improve postural control by increasing activation of the deep muscles supporting the cervical and thoracic spine. The core consists of a large number of muscles and connective tissues surrounding the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine and the coordinated functioning of these structures is critical for the functional integrity of the spine. Various studies have shown that core stabilisation exercises are effective in reducing pain and increasing functional capacity.

However, the functional and mechanical health of the cervical spine is closely related not only to the local stabilising muscles but also to the mobility of the thoracic spine. Hypomobility of the thoracic spine can lead to increased compensatory motion in the cervical segments, muscle spasm, postural distortion and increased pain. There is increasing evidence in the literature that improving thoracic mobility can reduce cervical pain and dysfunction. In this context, integrating thoracic mobilisation exercises into core stabilisation programmes may provide not only symptomatic relief, but also better postural alignment and more effective functional recovery.

The aim of this study is to comparatively examine the effects of adding thoracic mobilisation exercises to core stabilisation exercises in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain. In this direction, it is aimed to evaluate the extent to which the applications for the mobility of the thoracic spine affect the clinical symptoms in the cervical region and to obtain data that will contribute to clinical rehabilitation programmes.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* To be between the ages of 18-65,
* 3 months of persistent neck pain,
* Being sedentary,
* Not being involved in any physiotherapy programme in the last 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of previous spinal surgery or trauma,
* Neurological deficit, vestibular pathology, neurological, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal problems affecting physical performance, any pathology in the shoulder joint, any pathology in the jaw joint and pregnancy

Primary outcomes:
measure: Pain Severity
timeFrame: 6 week
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Disability
timeFrame: 6 week
measure: Sensivity
timeFrame: 6 week
measure: Cervical muscle strength
timeFrame: 6 week
measure: Spine Assessment
timeFrame: 6 week
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Kırsehir
country: Turkey
facility: Kırşehir Ahi Evran University
Study officials:
affiliation: Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
name: Mehmet CANLI, PhD.
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: