Non-specific Chronic Neck PainNCT06980337
Effect of Kendall and Scapulothoracic Exercises in Treatment of Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain
A study testing Conventional treatment program, Scapulothoracic exercises and Kendall exercises in people with Non-specific Chronic Neck Pain, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
The purpose of the clinical trial is to investigate the effect of the combined Kendall and scapulothoracic exercises program on mechanosensitivity of brachial plexus, cervical range of motion, neck functional ability, and craniovertebral angle in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 25 to 50 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Non-specific Chronic Neck Pain
- What is being tested?
- Conventional treatment program, Scapulothoracic exercises and Kendall exercises
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 1 Jun 2025to 30 Dec 2025
- 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 25 to 50 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Sixty patients of both genders were recruited in the study.
- The age of the recruited subjects were ranging from 25 to 50 years old
- Patients having neck pain symptoms provoked by neck postures, neck movement, or palpation of the cervical musculature, for at least the last 3 months
- Patients with a craniovertebral angle of less than 54º
- Subjects with a BMI 25-30
Who cannot join
- History of previous injury of the neck
- History of surgical intervention at the neck
- History of inflammatory joint disease affecting facet joints
- Neurological disorders such as cervical spondylosis, spondylolisthesis or disc prolapse (Kim et al., 2012).
- Rheumatic diseases.
- Cancer patients
- Patients who received pain medication or physical therapy for their neck pain during the last 3 months
- Patients who are unable to perform the exercises.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Combined Effect of Kendall and Scapulothoracic Exercises on Brachial Plexus Mechanoreceptors in Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain
The purpose of the clinical trial is to investigate the effect of the combined Kendall and scapulothoracic exercises program on mechanosensitivity of brachial plexus, cervical range of motion, neck functional ability, and craniovertebral angle in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain.
we have 3 groups to compare between traditional treatment, scapulothoracic and kendall exercises in treatment of chronic non-specific neck pain.
Read the detailed description
Non-specific neck pain is a generalized pain in the neck and/or shoulder that has mechanical characteristics, such as symptoms brought on by holding a certain neck position, moving the neck, or palpating the cervical muscles (Fernández-de-las-Penas et al., 2007). Minor injuries to the neck caused by poor posture and abrupt muscle contractions might further cause the muscles that are not frequently utilized to shrink, which can result in mechanical dysfunction and chronic pain (Boyd-Clark et al., 2002).
Kendall exercise is generally used as physical therapy for forward head posture and induces proper neck alignment generally using strengthening methods for two muscles (deep cervical flexors and retractors of the scapula) and stretching methods for two muscles (neck extensor muscles and pectoralis) to help with forward head posture, which is a state of imbalance of muscles) (Kendall et al., 2005).
Scapulothoracic strength training may have positive impacts across subjective and objective parameters including pain, and sequentially, activities of daily living, neck range of motion, and strength (Anna-Maria et al., 2020)
PURPOSE:
The purpose of study is to investigate the effect of the combined Kendall and scapulothoracic exercises program on mechanosensitivity of brachial plexus, cervical range of motion, neck functional ability, and craniovertebral angle in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain.
- The mechanosensitivity of brachial plexus will be measured with strength duration curve
- CROM will be used to measure cervical range of motion
- Neck disability index will be used to evaluate and document neck functional ability in patients with neck pain.
- Kinovea software program will be used to measure the craniovertebral angle of the cervical spine by still photography The subjects will receive treatment for four weeks all variables wil be measured pre-treatment and post treatment
- Conditions
- Non-specific Chronic Neck Pain
- Being tested
- Conventional treatment program, Scapulothoracic exercises, Kendall exercises
- Keywords
- chronic non-specific neck pain, Kendall exercises, Scapulothoracic exercises, Brachial Plexus mechanoreceptors
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Conventional treatment programOther
Ultrasound, hot packs, cervical postural stretching and strengthening exercise will be done for all groups.
Stretching Exercises Posture correction exercises training will include stretching of tight muscles such as Pectoralis major, levator scapulae, upper trapezius, suboccipital muscles and, sternocleidomastoid.
Strengthening Exercises Exercises will include Chin Tucks exercise and Neck isometric exercises
Scapulothoracic exercisesOther
Scapulothoracic exercises It is a strengthening exercises of the serratus anterior muscle, as well as the middle and inferior fibres of the trapezius muscle
Kendall exercisesOther
The exercise techniques used by Kendell were as follows:
- Stretching of the Cervical Extensors: By sitting with the head down and putting both hands across the occipital area, the cervical extensors can be stretched by adopting a flex neck position 2- Strengthening of the Deep Cervical Flexors Positioning supine with the chin tucked in and lifting the head for 2 to 8 s 3- Strengthening the Shoulder Retraction Maintaining an upright posture, keep the resistance band circling with strong support and stretching it with the upper limbs of both sides so that there is full retraction of the scapula 4-Stretching the Pectorals muscle Assigning both hands on the occipital area and pulling the elbows back up (bilateral) and performance arm abduction and external rotation (unilateral).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group A will receive conventional treatment | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Conventional treatment program |
| Group B will receive scapulothoracic exercises and conventional treatment. | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Conventional treatment program; Other: Scapulothoracic exercises |
| Group C will receive Kendall exercises, scapulothoracic exercises and conventional treatment | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Conventional treatment program; Other: Scapulothoracic exercises; Other: Kendall exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The strength-duration curve to assess the change in mechanosensitivity of brachial plexus
The mechanosensitivity of brachial plexus will be measured with strength duration curve by EMG. Assessment will be before and after treatment
Measured: at first week and after 4 weeks of treatment
Secondary outcomes (3)
Change in Cervical range of motion
Cervical range of motion will assessed by Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device . Assessment will be before and after treatment
Measured: at first week and after 4 weeks of treatment
Change in Functional performance will be measured by Neck disability index
Neck functional ability assessed by Neck disability index. Assessment will be before and after treatment
Measured: at first week and after 4 weeks of treatment
Change in Craniovertebral angle
Craniovertebral angle assessd by Kinovea software program. Assessment will be before and after treatment
Measured: at first week and after 4 weeks of treatment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 May 2025
- Study start1 Jun 2025
- Primary completion1 Dec 2025
- Study completion30 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Non-specific Chronic Neck PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Doaa Rafat, Cairo University
- Investigators
- Noha Elserty Assistant professor of physical therapy - Benha University, Assistant professor, Study director, Department of Basic sciences for physical therapy, Faculty of Physical Therapy , Benha university, Benha, Egypt
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06980337
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Physical Therapy 52025
- Other IDs
- Faculty of Physical therapy
- Status last verified
- Jul 2025
- First submitted
- 8 May 2025
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Combined Effect of Kendall and Scapulothoracic Exercises on Brachial Plexus Mechanoreceptors in Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06980337
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Physical Therapy 52025
- Conditions
- Non-specific Chronic Neck Pain
- Keywords
- chronic non-specific neck pain, Kendall exercises, Scapulothoracic exercises, Brachial Plexus mechanoreceptors
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 20 May 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of the clinical trial is to investigate the effect of the combined Kendall and scapulothoracic exercises program on mechanosensitivity of brachial plexus, cervical range of motion, neck functional ability, and craniovertebral angle in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain.
we have 3 groups to compare between traditional treatment, scapulothoracic and kendall exercises in treatment of chronic non-specific neck pain.
Detailed description
Non-specific neck pain is a generalized pain in the neck and/or shoulder that has mechanical characteristics, such as symptoms brought on by holding a certain neck position, moving the neck, or palpating the cervical muscles (Fernández-de-las-Penas et al., 2007). Minor injuries to the neck caused by poor posture and abrupt muscle contractions might further cause the muscles that are not frequently utilized to shrink, which can result in mechanical dysfunction and chronic pain (Boyd-Clark et al., 2002).
Kendall exercise is generally used as physical therapy for forward head posture and induces proper neck alignment generally using strengthening methods for two muscles (deep cervical flexors and retractors of the scapula) and stretching methods for two muscles (neck extensor muscles and pectoralis) to help with forward head posture, which is a state of imbalance of muscles) (Kendall et al., 2005).
Scapulothoracic strength training may have positive impacts across subjective and objective parameters including pain, and sequentially, activities of daily living, neck range of motion, and strength (Anna-Maria et al., 2020)
PURPOSE:
The purpose of study is to investigate the effect of the combined Kendall and scapulothoracic exercises program on mechanosensitivity of brachial plexus, cervical range of motion, neck functional ability, and craniovertebral angle in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain.
- The mechanosensitivity of brachial plexus will be measured with strength duration curve
- CROM will be used to measure cervical range of motion
- Neck disability index will be used to evaluate and document neck functional ability in patients with neck pain.
- Kinovea software program will be used to measure the craniovertebral angle of the cervical spine by still photography The subjects will receive treatment for four weeks all variables wil be measured pre-treatment and post treatment
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group A will receive conventional treatment | Experimental | Other: Conventional treatment program |
| Group B will receive scapulothoracic exercises and conventional treatment. | Experimental | Other: Conventional treatment program, Other: Scapulothoracic exercises |
| Group C will receive Kendall exercises, scapulothoracic exercises and conventional treatment | Experimental | Other: Conventional treatment program, Other: Scapulothoracic exercises, Other: Kendall exercises |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 25 to 50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Sixty patients of both genders were recruited in the study.
- The age of the recruited subjects were ranging from 25 to 50 years old
- Patients having neck pain symptoms provoked by neck postures, neck movement, or palpation of the cervical musculature, for at least the last 3 months
- Patients with a craniovertebral angle of less than 54º
- Subjects with a BMI 25-30
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- History of previous injury of the neck
- History of surgical intervention at the neck
- History of inflammatory joint disease affecting facet joints
- Neurological disorders such as cervical spondylosis, spondylolisthesis or disc prolapse (Kim et al., 2012).
- Rheumatic diseases.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional treatment programUltrasound, hot packs, cervical postural stretching and strengthening exercise will be done for all groups. Stretching Exercises Posture correction exercises training will include stretching of tight muscles such as Pectoralis major, levator scapulae, upper trapezius, suboccipital muscles and, sternocleidomastoid. Strengthening Exercises Exercises will include Chin Tucks exercise and Neck isometric exercises | Other | Group A will receive conventional treatment, Group B will receive scapulothoracic exercises and conventional treatment., Group C will receive Kendall exercises, scapulothoracic exercises and conventional treatment |
| Scapulothoracic exercisesScapulothoracic exercises It is a strengthening exercises of the serratus anterior muscle, as well as the middle and inferior fibres of the trapezius muscle | Other | Group B will receive scapulothoracic exercises and conventional treatment., Group C will receive Kendall exercises, scapulothoracic exercises and conventional treatment |
| Kendall exercisesThe exercise techniques used by Kendell were as follows: 1. Stretching of the Cervical Extensors: By sitting with the head down and putting both hands across the occipital area, the cervical extensors can be stretched by adopting a flex neck position 2- Strengthening of the Deep Cervical Flexors Positioning supine with the chin tucked in and lifting the head for 2 to 8 s 3- Strengthening the Shoulder Retraction Maintaining an upright posture, keep the resistance band circling with strong support and stretching it with the upper limbs of both sides so that there is full retraction of the scapula 4-Stretching the Pectorals muscle Assigning both hands on the occipital area and pulling the elbows back up (bilateral) and performance arm abduction and external rotation (unilateral). | Other | Group C will receive Kendall exercises, scapulothoracic exercises and conventional treatment |
Primary outcome
The strength-duration curve to assess the change in mechanosensitivity of brachial plexus
Time frame: at first week and after 4 weeks of treatment
The mechanosensitivity of brachial plexus will be measured with strength duration curve by EMG. Assessment will be before and after treatment
3 secondary outcomes
Change in Cervical range of motion
Time frame: at first week and after 4 weeks of treatment
Change in Functional performance will be measured by Neck disability index
Time frame: at first week and after 4 weeks of treatment
Change in Craniovertebral angle
Time frame: at first week and after 4 weeks of treatment
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Noha Elserty Assistant professor of physical therapy - Benha University, Assistant professor study director
Department of Basic sciences for physical therapy, Faculty of Physical Therapy , Benha university, Benha, Egypt
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Conventional treatment program, Scapulothoracic exercises and Kendall exercises in people with Non-specific Chronic Neck Pain, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
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 5 inclusion and 8 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 9 Jun 2026. 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 Egypt. 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 strength-duration curve to assess the change in mechanosensitivity of brachial plexus (time frame: at first week and after 4 weeks of treatment). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 9 Jun 2026.