Neck PainNCT07432425
Effects of Different Exercise Protocols on Physical and Cognitive Changes in People With Chronic Neck Pain
A study testing Aerobic exercise, Strengthening exercise and Posture and strentching exercise in people with Neck Pain and Chronic Neck Pain, run by Hacettepe University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study aims to investigate the effects of different exercise approaches on physical status, cognitive functions, brain structures, and blood biomarkers in individuals with chronic neck pain. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Neck Pain, Chronic Neck Pain
- What is being tested?
- Aerobic exercise, Strengthening exercise and Posture and strentching exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 21 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 May 2025to 30 Mar 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 20 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Participants aged 20-65
- Having neck pain at least 3 months and rated as 3 or more according to the Numeric Rating Scale
- Having a score of 10 or more according to the Neck Disability Index
- Having a score of 24 or above according to the Mini Mental State Examination
- Right hand dominancy according to Edinburgh Handedness Inventory
- Having at least a primary school graduate
Who cannot join
- Having neuropsychiatric, neurologic, metabolic, cardiovascular, and inflammatory disease(s)
- Participating in a rehabilitation program for neck pain in the last 6 months
- Having an exercise or sports history of 6 months or more
- Presence of brain parenchymal lesion on MRI
- Presence of materials in the body such as jewelry, metal, hearing aid, pacemaker, lead that cannot be removed and are not suitable for MRI
- History of neck or shoulder surgery
- Being pregnant or having given birth within the last year
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Hacettepe University Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
Ankara, Altindag
About this study
Official title: Effects of Different Exercise Protocols on Physical Status, Cognitive Functions, Brain Structure, and Blood Biomarkers in People With Chronic Neck Pain
This study aims to investigate the effects of different exercise approaches on physical status, cognitive functions, brain structures, and blood biomarkers in individuals with chronic neck pain.
Read the detailed description
Chronic neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder. It has been stated in the literature that in addition to physical disabilities, cognitive problems may also be observed in these individuals. Still, the neurophysiological and biochemical mechanisms related to these disabilities are not yet sufficiently clear. Previous studies conducted on individuals with chronic neck pain are mostly evaluation studies aimed at existing disabilities, and our planned study seeks to achieve positive improvements in these disabilities by applying a treatment approach known to be effective on physical and cognitive health, such as exercise. Within the scope of the project, neuropsychological tests will be applied to the participants to evaluate attention, memory, visual and spatial structuring, language skills, and executive functions. Participants' brain structural changes will be evaluated with T1-weighted imaging, and brain perfusion changes will be evaluated with Arterial Spin Labeling imaging. Within the scope of physical condition and pain-related evaluations, participants' pain intensity, neck disability levels, muscle strength, functional capacities, pain catastrophizing level, kinesiophobia, central sensitization, and sleep quality will be evaluated. Finally, blood samples of the participants will be collected and serum concentrations of Cortisol, Interleukin 1-Beta, Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1, Interleukin-10, Irisin, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Nerve Growth Factor and Cathepsin-B will be examined. All these assessments will be applied both before and after the exercise applications, and only muscle strength and functional capacities will be measured again at the end of the 6th week so that the exercise program can progress according to the gains in physical condition. Individuals whose initial assessments are completed will be assigned to aerobic exercise, strength exercises, or home exercise control group by stratified randomization method. Exercise applications will be applied 3 days a week for 3 months and each participant will participate in a total of 36 exercise sessions individually. It is anticipated that revealing the cognitive, physical, neurophysiological, and biochemical effects of aerobic, strengthening, and home exercise practices in individuals with chronic neck pain and explaining the similarities and superiorities of different exercise practices will pave the way for planning targeted health services.
- Conditions
- Neck Pain, Chronic Neck Pain
- Being tested
- Aerobic exercise, Strengthening exercise, Posture and strentching exercise
- Keywords
- Neck Pain, Exercise, Cognition, Neuropsychological test, Neuroimaging, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain, Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Aerobic exerciseOther
Participants will receive a total of 36 sessions of treatment, 3 sessions per week for 12 weeks. Aerobic exercise training will be performed with a bicycle ergometer, and a 5-minute warm-up (pedaling without resistance) program will be applied before the exercise training, finished by a 5-minute cool-down program (pedaling without resistance). Details of the intervention is described below:
60% of maximum heart rate, for 30 minutes (1-2nd weeks), 60% of maximum heart rate, for 45 minutes (3-4th weeks), 60% of maximum heart rate, for 60 minutes (5-6th weeks), mid-examination (at the end of the 6th week), 75% of maximum heart rate, for 30 minutes (7-8th weeks), 75% of maximum heart rate, for 45 minutes (9-10th weeks), 75% of maximum heart rate, for 60 minutes (11-12th weeks)
Strengthening exerciseOther
A 5-minute warm-up (neck and upper extremity range of motion exercises) will be applied before the exercise training, and finished by a 5-minute cool-down program (neck and upper extremity range of motion exercises). Details of the intervention is described below: Isometric neck exercise (MVC 80%,2x10) and Theraband resistive neck and upper body exercises 10 RM-2x10 (1-2nd weeks), Isometric neck exercise (MVC 80%,3x10) and Theraband resistive neck and upper body exercises 10 RM-3x10 (3-4th weeks), Isometric neck exercise (MVC 80%,3x15) and Theraband resistive neck and upper body exercises 10 RM-3x15 (5-6th weeks) , mid-examination (6th week), Isometric neck exercise (MVC 80%,2x10) Theraband resistive neck and upper body exercises 10 RM-2x10 (7-8th weeks), Isometric neck exercise (MVC 80%,3x10) Theraband resistive neck and upper body exercises 10 RM-3x10 (9-10th weeks), Isometric neck exercise (MVC 80%,3x15) Theraband resistive neck and upper body exercises 10 RM-3x15 (11-12th weeks)
Posture and strentching exerciseOther
Posture and stretching exercises and stretching exercises will be applied as a control treatment to volunteers with chronic neck pain included in the control group, and at the end of the study, these people will be included in the training program according to the exercise approach that is effective.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic exercise group | Experimental | Aerobic exercise training will be applied 3 days a week for 3 months and each participant will participate in a total of 36 exercise sessions individually. Receives: Other: Aerobic exercise |
| Strengthening exercise group | Experimental | Strengthening exercise training will be applied 3 days a week for 3 months and each participant will participate in a total of 36 exercise sessions individually. Receives: Other: Strengthening exercise |
| Posture and stretching exercise group | Other | Posture and stretching exercise training will be applied 3 days a week for 3 months and each participant will participate in a total of 36 exercise sessions individually as the control intervention. Receives: Other: Posture and strentching exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity
Numerical scales are among the frequently used one-dimensional pain intensity scales because they are easy to use and effective. In the application, volunteers are asked to choose the number that best describes their pain intensity. Zero indicates no pain, while 10 represents the worst pain imaginable.
Measured: Baseline, 6th week, and 12th week
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Feb 2026
- Study start1 May 2025
- Primary completion30 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Mar 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Neck PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Model description
- Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be assigned into 3 groups: aerobic exercise group, strengthening exercises group or control group. Assignment to groups will conduct with the stratified block randomization technique according to age, gender and education level variables.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 21 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hacettepe University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Songül Atasavun UYSAL, Hacettepe University
- Investigators
- Ahmet Ilkay Isikay, Associate Professor, Study chair, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Hacettepe UniversityAsli Pinar, Professor, Study chair, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, Hacettepe UniversityEzgi Yetim Arsava, PhD, Study chair, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Hacettepe UniversityErdem Karabulut, Professor, Study chair, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics, Hacettepe UniversityRahsan Gocmen, Associate Professor, Study chair, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Hacettepe University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07432425
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- KA-23031
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 25 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 25 Feb 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 25 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Different Exercise Protocols on Physical Status, Cognitive Functions, Brain Structure, and Blood Biomarkers in People With Chronic Neck Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07432425
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- KA-23031
- Conditions
- Neck Pain, Chronic Neck Pain
- Keywords
- Neck Pain, Exercise, Cognition, Neuropsychological test, Neuroimaging, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 21 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Hacettepe UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 May 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 25 Feb 2026 (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 study aims to investigate the effects of different exercise approaches on physical status, cognitive functions, brain structures, and blood biomarkers in individuals with chronic neck pain.
Detailed description
Chronic neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder. It has been stated in the literature that in addition to physical disabilities, cognitive problems may also be observed in these individuals. Still, the neurophysiological and biochemical mechanisms related to these disabilities are not yet sufficiently clear. Previous studies conducted on individuals with chronic neck pain are mostly evaluation studies aimed at existing disabilities, and our planned study seeks to achieve positive improvements in these disabilities by applying a treatment approach known to be effective on physical and cognitive health, such as exercise. Within the scope of the project, neuropsychological tests will be applied to the participants to evaluate attention, memory, visual and spatial structuring, language skills, and executive functions. Participants' brain structural changes will be evaluated with T1-weighted imaging, and brain perfusion changes will be evaluated with Arterial Spin Labeling imaging. Within the scope of physical condition and pain-related evaluations, participants' pain intensity, neck disability levels, muscle strength, functional capacities, pain catastrophizing level, kinesiophobia, central sensitization, and sleep quality will be evaluated. Finally, blood samples of the participants will be collected and serum concentrations of Cortisol, Interleukin 1-Beta, Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1, Interleukin-10, Irisin, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Nerve Growth Factor and Cathepsin-B will be examined. All these assessments will be applied both before and after the exercise applications, and only muscle strength and functional capacities will be measured again at the end of the 6th week so that the exercise program can progress according to the gains in physical condition. Individuals whose initial assessments are completed will be assigned to aerobic exercise, strength exercises, or home exercise control group by stratified randomization method. Exercise applications will be applied 3 days a week for 3 months and each participant will participate in a total of 36 exercise sessions individually. It is anticipated that revealing the cognitive, physical, neurophysiological, and biochemical effects of aerobic, strengthening, and home exercise practices in individuals with chronic neck pain and explaining the similarities and superiorities of different exercise practices will pave the way for planning targeted health services.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be assigned into 3 groups: aerobic exercise group, strengthening exercises group or control group. Assignment to groups will conduct with the stratified block randomization technique according to age, gender and education level variables.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic exercise group | Experimental | Other: Aerobic exerciseAerobic exercise training will be applied 3 days a week for 3 months and each participant will participate in a total of 36 exercise sessions individually. |
| Strengthening exercise group | Experimental | Other: Strengthening exerciseStrengthening exercise training will be applied 3 days a week for 3 months and each participant will participate in a total of 36 exercise sessions individually. |
| Posture and stretching exercise group | Other | Other: Posture and strentching exercisePosture and stretching exercise training will be applied 3 days a week for 3 months and each participant will participate in a total of 36 exercise sessions individually as the control intervention. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Participants aged 20-65
- Having neck pain at least 3 months and rated as 3 or more according to the Numeric Rating Scale
- Having a score of 10 or more according to the Neck Disability Index
- Having a score of 24 or above according to the Mini Mental State Examination
- Right hand dominancy according to Edinburgh Handedness Inventory
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Having neuropsychiatric, neurologic, metabolic, cardiovascular, and inflammatory disease(s)
- Participating in a rehabilitation program for neck pain in the last 6 months
- Having an exercise or sports history of 6 months or more
- Presence of brain parenchymal lesion on MRI
- Presence of materials in the body such as jewelry, metal, hearing aid, pacemaker, lead that cannot be removed and are not suitable for MRI
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic exerciseParticipants will receive a total of 36 sessions of treatment, 3 sessions per week for 12 weeks. Aerobic exercise training will be performed with a bicycle ergometer, and a 5-minute warm-up (pedaling without resistance) program will be applied before the exercise training, finished by a 5-minute cool-down program (pedaling without resistance). Details of the intervention is described below: 60% of maximum heart rate, for 30 minutes (1-2nd weeks), 60% of maximum heart rate, for 45 minutes (3-4th weeks), 60% of maximum heart rate, for 60 minutes (5-6th weeks), mid-examination (at the end of the 6th week), 75% of maximum heart rate, for 30 minutes (7-8th weeks), 75% of maximum heart rate, for 45 minutes (9-10th weeks), 75% of maximum heart rate, for 60 minutes (11-12th weeks) | Other | Aerobic exercise group |
| Strengthening exerciseA 5-minute warm-up (neck and upper extremity range of motion exercises) will be applied before the exercise training, and finished by a 5-minute cool-down program (neck and upper extremity range of motion exercises). Details of the intervention is described below: Isometric neck exercise (MVC 80%,2x10) and Theraband resistive neck and upper body exercises 10 RM-2x10 (1-2nd weeks), Isometric neck exercise (MVC 80%,3x10) and Theraband resistive neck and upper body exercises 10 RM-3x10 (3-4th weeks), Isometric neck exercise (MVC 80%,3x15) and Theraband resistive neck and upper body exercises 10 RM-3x15 (5-6th weeks) , mid-examination (6th week), Isometric neck exercise (MVC 80%,2x10) Theraband resistive neck and upper body exercises 10 RM-2x10 (7-8th weeks), Isometric neck exercise (MVC 80%,3x10) Theraband resistive neck and upper body exercises 10 RM-3x10 (9-10th weeks), Isometric neck exercise (MVC 80%,3x15) Theraband resistive neck and upper body exercises 10 RM-3x15 (11-12th weeks) | Other | Strengthening exercise group |
| Posture and strentching exercisePosture and stretching exercises and stretching exercises will be applied as a control treatment to volunteers with chronic neck pain included in the control group, and at the end of the study, these people will be included in the training program according to the exercise approach that is effective. | Other | Posture and stretching exercise group |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity
Time frame: Baseline, 6th week, and 12th week
Numerical scales are among the frequently used one-dimensional pain intensity scales because they are easy to use and effective. In the application, volunteers are asked to choose the number that best describes their pain intensity. Zero indicates no pain, while 10 represents the worst pain imaginable.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 25 Feb 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.
Ahmet Ilkay Isikay, Associate Professor study chair
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Hacettepe University
Asli Pinar, Professor study chair
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, Hacettepe University
Ezgi Yetim Arsava, PhD study chair
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Hacettepe University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Aerobic exercise, Strengthening exercise and Posture and strentching exercise in people with Neck Pain and Chronic Neck Pain, run by Hacettepe University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 6 inclusion and 7 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Zeynep Güven, MsC (90+3123052525 ext. 130, fztzeynepguven@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain Intensity (time frame: Baseline, 6th week, and 12th week). 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 25 Feb 2026.