Chronic Mechanical Neck PainNCT07126418
Sex-Based Differences in Cervical Joint Position Sense in Patients With Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain
An observational study of Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
This is across sectional observational study aims to investigate whether there are sex-based differences in cervical proprioception, pain intensity, and neck disability in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. The findings may contribute to better individualized care plans and inform future clinical guidelines. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain
- What is being tested?
- observation (cervical proprioception, neck pain and neck disability)
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 10 Sep 2025to 1 Feb 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- 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 18 to 45 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Study population: * Sixty patients 30 males and 30 females (diagnosed and referred from orthopedist ) with a primary complaint of chronic neck more than 3 months, will be selected . * All subjects will participate in the study after signing institutionally approved consent form prior to data collection.
Who may be able to join
- Patients with a primary complaint of chronic neck pain (assessed by VAS )for more than 3 months .
- patients with age range from 18 to 45 years old.
- patients with body mass index less than 30 kg/m2
Who cannot join
- previous spine surgery
- pregnancy.
- Diabetic patients
- Hypertensive patients
- Patients were excluded if neck pain was associated with cervical radiculopathy, whiplash injuries or severe headaches -cervical spine fracture - vertebrobasilar insufficiency.
- red flags suggesting of cancer, infection, vascular insufficiency
- Rheumatologic condition as mild systemic lupus erythematosus, poly-articular osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and advanced cervical spine degenerative diseases.
- patients received any form of cervical treatments within past 6 months
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Sex-Based Differences in Cervical Joint Position Sense and Disability in Patients With Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study
This is across sectional observational study aims to investigate whether there are sex-based differences in cervical proprioception, pain intensity, and neck disability in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. The findings may contribute to better individualized care plans and inform future clinical guidelines.
Read the detailed description
Neck pain is a common condition and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, with mean estimates of 7.6% point prevalence (range, 5.9-38.7%), 37% annual prevalence (range, 16.7-75%), and 48.5% lifetime prevalence(range, 14.2-71%).
Although neck pain can be attributed to traumatic (such as whiplash associated) disorders, metabolic, neoplastic, inflammatory, or infectious diseases, most neck pain has no discernable cause and is considered to be idiopathic.
Chronic mechanical neck pain (CMNP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition, particularly among working-age adults, with a higher prevalence observed in females compared to males. The condition is commonly associated with impairments in cervical proprioception, pain, and functional disability. Cervical joint position sense (JPS) is a crucial component of sensorimotor control and has been found to be impaired in individuals with chronic neck pain.
The clinical practice guidelines for chronic idiopathic neck pain do not support percutaneous or open surgical treatment and recommend conservative treatment. However, as conservative treatment usually fails to maintain long-term efficacy, clinical studies begin to pay attention to the evaluation and management of proprioceptive dysfunction in patients with idiopathic neck pain.
Sex differences in pain perception and musculoskeletal disorders have been well-documented in the literature. A previous study revealed that the repositioning accuracy of the knee joint was significantly lower in female participants than in males and Sex-based difference in the accuracy of knee joint proprioception may imply that knee proprioceptive sensitivity might potentially contribute to the high incidence of knee injury in females compared with males. Another study showed that shoulder position sense, as part of the neuromuscular control system, differs between men and women. the findings showed a significant difference in constant position sense error between men and women and a significantly higher variability in the performance of men compared to women.
However, limited studies have directly compared cervical proprioception between males and females in the context of chronic mechanical neck pain. Understanding these differences is essential for optimizing rehabilitation strategies and personalizing interventions.
This study aims to investigate whether there are sex-based differences in cervical proprioception, pain intensity, and neck disability in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. The findings may contribute to better individualized care plans and inform future clinical guidelines.
- Conditions
- Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain
- Being tested
- observation (cervical proprioception, neck pain and neck disability)
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
observation (cervical proprioception, neck pain and neck disability)Other
- Assessment of cervical proprioception using CROM device: Head reposition accuracy tests: neutral head position (NHP) and target head position (THP) tests are common tests used to assess cervical proprioception. Repositioning to the NHP and repositioning into THP. The test procedures were the same as those described by Lee et al., 2006. The NHP test measures the subject's ability to actively reposition their head to their self-selected neutral position. The THP test measures the individual's ability to actively reposition the head to a previously demonstrated target position. A) Neutral head position: After explaining the testing procedure, the CROM device will securely fixed on the head of the subject. The participants will instructed to sit upright with their feet flat on the floor, their back against the chair backrest and facing straight ahead, this position will established as their self-selected "NHP".
The magnetic part of the unit was then placed so that it was put
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| group A:30 males' patients with a primary complaint of chronic neck pain more than 3 months | Not described Receives: Other: observation (cervical proprioception, neck pain and neck disability) | |
| Group B: 30 females' patients with a primary complaint of chronic neck pain more than 3 months | Not described Receives: Other: observation (cervical proprioception, neck pain and neck disability) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
cervical joint position Error (JPE) measured with CROM device at baseline
Measured: at baseline
Secondary outcomes (2)
pain intensity: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) will be used to assess pain intensity at baseline
. Scores are based on self-reported measures of symptoms that are recorded with a single handwritten mark placed at one point along the length of a 10-cm line that represents a continuum between the two ends of the scale- "no pain" on the left end (0 cm) of the scale and the "worst pain" on the right end of the scale (10 cm)
Measured: at baseline
Dysfunction of neck area: The neck disability index (NDI) will used to assess the level of cervical dysfunction
It is a patient-completed, condition-specific functional status questionnaire with 10 items.The NDI can be scored as a raw score or doubled and expressed as a percent. Each section is scored on a 0 to 5 rating scale, in which zero means 'No pain' and 5 means 'Worst imaginable pain'. Al the points can be summed to a total score. The test can be interpreted as a raw score, with a maximum score of 50, or as a percentage. 0 points or 0% means: no activity limitations, 50 points or 100% means complete activity limitation. A higher score indicates more patient-rated disability
Measured: at baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Aug 2025
- Study start10 Sep 2025
- Primary completion1 Feb 2026
- Study completion1 Feb 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Chronic Mechanical 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
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Hoda Ibrahim Abbas Mousa, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07126418
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- P.T.REC/012/003940
- Other IDs
- P.T.REC/012/006048
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 10 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 6 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Sex-Based Differences in Cervical Joint Position Sense and Disability in Patients With Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07126418
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- P.T.REC/012/003940
- Conditions
- Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Feb 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 Aug 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.
This is across sectional observational study aims to investigate whether there are sex-based differences in cervical proprioception, pain intensity, and neck disability in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. The findings may contribute to better individualized care plans and inform future clinical guidelines.
Detailed description
Neck pain is a common condition and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, with mean estimates of 7.6% point prevalence (range, 5.9-38.7%), 37% annual prevalence (range, 16.7-75%), and 48.5% lifetime prevalence(range, 14.2-71%).
Although neck pain can be attributed to traumatic (such as whiplash associated) disorders, metabolic, neoplastic, inflammatory, or infectious diseases, most neck pain has no discernable cause and is considered to be idiopathic.
Chronic mechanical neck pain (CMNP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition, particularly among working-age adults, with a higher prevalence observed in females compared to males. The condition is commonly associated with impairments in cervical proprioception, pain, and functional disability. Cervical joint position sense (JPS) is a crucial component of sensorimotor control and has been found to be impaired in individuals with chronic neck pain.
The clinical practice guidelines for chronic idiopathic neck pain do not support percutaneous or open surgical treatment and recommend conservative treatment. However, as conservative treatment usually fails to maintain long-term efficacy, clinical studies begin to pay attention to the evaluation and management of proprioceptive dysfunction in patients with idiopathic neck pain.
Sex differences in pain perception and musculoskeletal disorders have been well-documented in the literature. A previous study revealed that the repositioning accuracy of the knee joint was significantly lower in female participants than in males and Sex-based difference in the accuracy of knee joint proprioception may imply that knee proprioceptive sensitivity might potentially contribute to the high incidence of knee injury in females compared with males. Another study showed that shoulder position sense, as part of the neuromuscular control system, differs between men and women. the findings showed a significant difference in constant position sense error between men and women and a significantly higher variability in the performance of men compared to women.
However, limited studies have directly compared cervical proprioception between males and females in the context of chronic mechanical neck pain. Understanding these differences is essential for optimizing rehabilitation strategies and personalizing interventions.
This study aims to investigate whether there are sex-based differences in cervical proprioception, pain intensity, and neck disability in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. The findings may contribute to better individualized care plans and inform future clinical guidelines.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| group A:30 males' patients with a primary complaint of chronic neck pain more than 3 months | – | Other: observation (cervical proprioception, neck pain and neck disability) |
| Group B: 30 females' patients with a primary complaint of chronic neck pain more than 3 months | – | Other: observation (cervical proprioception, neck pain and neck disability) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- * Sixty patients 30 males and 30 females (diagnosed and referred from orthopedist ) with a primary complaint of chronic neck more than 3 months, will be selected . * All subjects will participate in the study after signing institutionally approved consent form prior to data collection.
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Patients with a primary complaint of chronic neck pain (assessed by VAS )for more than 3 months .
- patients with age range from 18 to 45 years old.
- patients with body mass index less than 30 kg/m2
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- previous spine surgery
- pregnancy.
- Diabetic patients
- Hypertensive patients
- Patients were excluded if neck pain was associated with cervical radiculopathy, whiplash injuries or severe headaches -cervical spine fracture - vertebrobasilar insufficiency.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| observation (cervical proprioception, neck pain and neck disability)1) Assessment of cervical proprioception using CROM device: Head reposition accuracy tests: neutral head position (NHP) and target head position (THP) tests are common tests used to assess cervical proprioception. Repositioning to the NHP and repositioning into THP. The test procedures were the same as those described by Lee et al., 2006. The NHP test measures the subject's ability to actively reposition their head to their self-selected neutral position. The THP test measures the individual's ability to actively reposition the head to a previously demonstrated target position. A) Neutral head position: After explaining the testing procedure, the CROM device will securely fixed on the head of the subject. The participants will instructed to sit upright with their feet flat on the floor, their back against the chair backrest and facing straight ahead, this position will established as their self-selected "NHP". The magnetic part of the unit was then placed so that it was put | Other | Group B: 30 females' patients with a primary complaint of chronic neck pain more than 3 months, group A:30 males' patients with a primary complaint of chronic neck pain more than 3 months |
Primary outcome
cervical joint position Error (JPE) measured with CROM device at baseline
Time frame: at baseline
2 secondary outcomes
pain intensity: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) will be used to assess pain intensity at baseline
Time frame: at baseline
Dysfunction of neck area: The neck disability index (NDI) will used to assess the level of cervical dysfunction
Time frame: at baseline
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 6 Feb 2026.
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Chronic Mechanical 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 3 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 6 Feb 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?
cervical joint position Error (JPE) measured with CROM device at baseline (time frame: at baseline). 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 6 Feb 2026.