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Neck Pain ChronicNCT06803264

Effectiveness of Activity Oriented Therapy and Traditional Therapy in Cervical Discopathic Pain Syndrome

A study testing Activity Oriented therapy (N.A.P.) and Traditional therapy in people with Neck Pain Chronic and Depression Disorders, run by University School of Physical Education, Krakow, Poland at 1 site in Poland.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Title: Effectiveness of Activity Oriented Therapy and Traditional Therapy in Cervical Discopathic Pain Syndrome Procedures: You will be asked to complete a form containing questions characterizing the study group and several questionnaires before starting treatment, such as: NDI, CESD-R, STAI and the NRS scale. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 30 to 50 years
What is being tested?
Activity Oriented therapy (N.A.P.) and Traditional therapy
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
74 participants
Where
1 sitePoland
Study dates
18 Mar 2021to 8 Apr 2022
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 30 to 50 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • qualifying: non-traumatic, disc-like, chronic (symptoms lasting more than 3 months) cervical pain of mechanical origin, localized in the cervical region with the possibility of radiation to the upper edge of the scapula and head (without root symptoms and neurological disorders), classified as syndrome No. 1 according to the Quebec Task Force (QTF) Classification, and a condition not requiring surgery.

Who cannot join

  • comorbid advanced neurological, rheumatic, urological, psychiatric diseases, and unsystematic participation in in therapy.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Poland1 site
  • Rehabilitation Clinic "Azory"

    Krakow

Other trials in Poland

About this study

Title: Effectiveness of Activity Oriented Therapy and Traditional Therapy in Cervical Discopathic Pain Syndrome

Procedures: You will be asked to complete a form containing questions characterizing the study group and several questionnaires before starting treatment, such as: NDI, CESD-R, STAI and the NRS scale. A photo of the head and shoulder area will also be taken in a front and side standing position. After completing the two-week treatment, you will be asked again to complete questionnaires and pose for photos. You will be informed about a follow-up visit 3 months after the end of therapy, during which you will be asked for the last time to complete questionnaires and pose for a photo.

Read more

Benefits: There are no direct benefits to you other than participating in a therapy more commonly used for cervical pain syndromes and the opportunity to discuss your experience with neck pain with a specialist. The information we obtain will help scientists better understand the problem of treating neck pain.

Risk: There are no physical risks to you while conducting this research. All information obtained from you will be anonymous. Your name and image will not be used in this study or reports.

Confidentiality: All research records will be confidential and appropriately secured. Records will only be published with your consent or by court order or as required by law. Any publication resulting from this research will not use identifying information, such as your name or likeness.

Freedom to opt out: Participation in the study is completely voluntary and free of charge. You may withdraw from this study at any time without any consequences.

Read the detailed description

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Activity Oriented Therapy (N.A.P. therapy) and traditional therapy during disc-related neck pain in terms of pain intensity, disability, Forward Head Posture (FHP), anxiety as a condition and level of depression. Patients were qualified based on a medical examination. Respondents were randomly divided into two groups.

The therapies were performed by experienced physiotherapists in cooperation with a psychologist. Treatment in both groups included 10 therapy sessions held daily from Monday to Friday over a two-week period.

Being tested
Activity Oriented therapy (N.A.P.), Traditional therapy
Keywords
N.A.P. therapy, breathing exercises, neuroplasticity, forward head posture, chronic neck pain, psychosomatic diseases.
Medical subject headings
Anxiety Disorders

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Activity Oriented therapy (N.A.P.)Other

    The following six exercises were used, each of which was performed 10 times. Their progression was introduced by changing positions, individually adjusted to the patient's capabilities.

    1. Eccentric infrahyoid muscle work during breathing activity and phonation of the "l"sound.
    2. Reciprocal innervation of suboccipital muscles in gaze activity.
    3. Stimulation of the diaphragm in the activity of breathing and phonation.
    4. Repeated eccentric activity of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles during body transfer activity.
    5. Repeated eccentric activity of scalene muscles in blanket pulling activity.
    6. Eccentric work of suboccipital muscles in the activity of biting a snack.
  • Traditional therapyOther

    Traditional therapy included:

    1. Isometric work of the neck muscles.
    2. Self-assisted active exercises for the shoulder girdle muscles.
    3. Active exercises in relief for the muscles of the shoulder girdle performed in the sitting position in the transverse plane.
    4. TENS current treatment performed in the cervical spine and shoulder girdle in the forward lying position.
    5. The local cryotherapy treatment with carbon dioxide.
Study groups in NCT06803264
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
N.A.P. therapy groupExperimentalActivity Oriented therapy (N.A.P.) is based on the assumption that motor activity affects the plasticity of the brain and it stimulates a positive change in its cortical representation. The therapist use motor teaching techniques, postural control exercises and improving respiratory functions. Breathing exercises are used to reduce nervous system stimulation, activating the parasympathetic system and relaxing the body and mind. Additionally, diaphragm exercises affect the stabilization of the spine muscles.
Receives: Other: Activity Oriented therapy (N.A.P.)
Traditional therapy groupActive comparatorIn Poland, traditional treatment of neck pain includes physical treatments (e.g. cryotherapy or TENS) and exercises to strengthen and improve the range of muscles in the shoulder girdle and neck. Research shows that these interventions provide good benefits in the treatment of neck pain immediately after therapy, but there is often a lack of information about how this change is maintained over time. Considering the psychological aspect of chronic pain, such actions may not be sufficient to effectively cure the problem.
Receives: Other: Traditional therapy

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)

    The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), which contains 11 levels of pain intensity, where 0 means no pain and 10 means maximum pain

    Measured: Before therapy, after two weeks of treatment and after 3 months of follow-up

  2. The Neck Disability Index (NDI)

    The Neck Disability Index (NDI) questionnaire, which examines the level of disability from NP. A patient can score between 0 and 50 points. A score between 1-4 points indicates no disability, 5-14 points mild disability, 15-24 points moderate disability, 25-34 points severe disability, and above 35 points total disability.

    Measured: Before therapy, after two weeks of treatment and after 3 months of follow-up

  3. The photographic method to assess Forward Head Posture (FHP)

    The photographic method to assess FHP. Based on photographs of the shoulder area and head taken in the forward and lateral standing positions, two angles were measured using the computer program GIMP (version 2.10.34). The camera was placed on a tripod at a distance of 150 cm from the patient. Cranio Vertebral Angle (CVA) was measured in the sagittal plane, while Frontal Head Tilt angle (FHT) was measured in the frontal plane. A higher score for CVA and a lower score for FHT indicate improvement in FHP. The reliability of the described procedure is rated as high. In the author's study, images were taken with a SONY DSC-W810B camera.

    Measured: Before therapy, after two weeks of treatment and after 3 months of follow-up

  4. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)

    The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), which examines the level of anxiety understood as a transient and situationally conditioned state of the individual and anxiety as a relatively stable personality trait. The STAI consists of two subscales, but only the scale for measuring anxiety-state (X-1) was used in this study. Each subscale can be scored from 20 to 80. High values indicate higher levels of anxiety.

    Measured: Before therapy, after two weeks of treatment and after 3 months of follow-up

  5. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised (CESD-R)

    The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised (CESD-R). This is a self-report scale that examines levels of depression. It consists of 20 statements relating to mood and behavior observed over the past two weeks. The lowest score is 0 and the highest score is 80. The higher the scores, the higher the level of depression.

    Measured: Before therapy, after two weeks of treatment and after 3 months of follow-up

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted31 Jan 2025
  2. Study start18 Mar 2021
  3. Primary completion20 Dec 2021
  4. Study completion8 Apr 2022

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Participant
Enrolment
74 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06803264
Sponsor's protocol ID
40/KBL/OIL/2020
Status last verified
Jun 2023
First submitted
27 Jan 2025
Last updated
31 Jan 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided: The article includes data such as age, gender and duration of symptoms.

Publications

  • Szczygiel E, Fudacz N, Golec J, Golec E. The impact of the position of the head on the functioning of the human body: a systematic review. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2020 Sep 17;33(5):559-568. doi: 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01585. Epub 2020 Jul 23.

    PubMed 32713947
  • Jerath R, Beveridge C. Respiratory Rhythm, Autonomic Modulation, and the Spectrum of Emotions: The Future of Emotion Recognition and Modulation. Front Psychol. 2020 Aug 14;11:1980. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01980. eCollection 2020.

    PubMed 32922338
  • Maric V, Ramanathan D, Mishra J. Respiratory regulation & interactions with neuro-cognitive circuitry. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020 May;112:95-106. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.02.001. Epub 2020 Feb 3.

    PubMed 32027875
  • Nitayarak H, Charntaraviroj P. Effects of scapular stabilization exercises on posture and muscle imbalances in women with upper crossed syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2021;34(6):1031-1040. doi: 10.3233/BMR-200088.

    PubMed 34151819
  • Schuch FB, Vancampfort D, Richards J, Rosenbaum S, Ward PB, Stubbs B. Exercise as a treatment for depression: A meta-analysis adjusting for publication bias. J Psychiatr Res. 2016 Jun;77:42-51. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.02.023. Epub 2016 Mar 4.

    PubMed 26978184
  • Cohen SP, Hooten WM. Advances in the diagnosis and management of neck pain. BMJ. 2017 Aug 14;358:j3221. doi: 10.1136/bmj.j3221.

    PubMed 28807894
  • Cohen SP. Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of neck pain. Mayo Clin Proc. 2015 Feb;90(2):284-99. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.09.008.

    PubMed 25659245
  • Elman I, Borsook D. Common Brain Mechanisms of Chronic Pain and Addiction. Neuron. 2016 Jan 6;89(1):11-36. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2015.11.027.

    PubMed 26748087

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Activity Oriented therapy (N.A.P.) and Traditional therapy in people with Neck Pain Chronic and Depression Disorders, run by University School of Physical Education, Krakow, Poland at 1 site in Poland.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 Jan 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Poland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) (time frame: Before therapy, after two weeks of treatment and after 3 months of follow-up). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06803264, which also lists 8 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 Jan 2025.

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