Neck PainNCT07484984
Scapular Depression at Rest: Implications for Cervical Pain and Functional Outcomes
An observational study of Neck Pain and Neck Disability, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to explore whether depressed scapular alignment is associated with increased neck pain and decreased cervical functional capacity, and to investigate the correlation between the mean vertical scapular distance of both scapulae at rest, neck pain intensity, and cervical function. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Neck Pain, Neck Disability
- What is being tested?
- Assessment of the Vertical Scapular Position at Rest, Measurement of the Mean Vertical Scapular Distance at Rest and The Arabic version of Bournemouth questionnaire for neck pain (BQN)
- How many people
- 128 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 20 Dec 2023to 10 Feb 2025
- How long will I take part?
- 1 Day
- 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 30 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: The Faculty of Physical Therapy at Cairo University
Who may be able to join
- - Young adults with age from 18 to 30 years old.
- - Subjects with Body Mass Index less than 30
Who cannot join
- - Cervical spine surgeries, fractures or pathologic trauma, Subjects with cervical or shoulder neurological movement disorder, Tempromandibular surgery, psychosocial problem.
- - A documented diagnosis of scoliosis or a posterior rib hump greater than five degrees on forward bending as measured with the scoliometer (ATR ≥ 5°).
- - Known or measured Leg Length Discrepancy (LLD) greater than 1 cm.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Egypt1 site
The Faculty of Physical Therapy at Cairo University
Cairo, Giza Governorate, 11251
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Depressed Scapular Position at Rest on the Neck Pain and Function
The purpose of this study is to explore whether depressed scapular alignment is associated with increased neck pain and decreased cervical functional capacity, and to investigate the correlation between the mean vertical scapular distance of both scapulae at rest, neck pain intensity, and cervical function.
Read the detailed description
Introduction Neck pain is a major global health problem affecting a large portion of the adult population, with a worldwide prevalence ranging from 16.7% to 75.1%. The economic burden associated with neck pain is substantial, manifested through job-related issues, absenteeism, reduced productivity, and elevated treatment costs. In the United States alone, approximately 25.5 million individuals missed an average of 11.4 working days due to neck pain in 2012, and in 2016, healthcare expenditures related to neck pain reached approximately $134.5 billion, making it one of the most costly health conditions in the country.
While pain intensity has its socioeconomic consequences, also neck dysfunction constitutes an equally important dimension of this condition. Impaired neck function has been linked to deficits in cervical range of motion, proprioception, and muscular endurance, all of which can compromise daily activities, work performance, and overall quality of life. Among the multiple biomechanical factors influencing neck pain and function, the scapular position has gained growing attention. The scapula plays a critical role in maintaining postural alignment and providing a stable base for neck and shoulder movement.
Studies have shown initial evidence that individuals with neck pain may demonstrate altered scapular alignment when compared with healthy controls, though the limited sample sizes in such studies constrain the strength of these conclusions and warrant further investigation.
Also altered scapular alignment has been associated with decreased pressure pain thresholds (PPT) in the upper trapezius region, indicating heightened sensitivity to pain. Moreover, it may alter the length-tension relationship of the upper trapezius and levator scapulae muscles, potentially compromising cervical stability and movement efficiency. Such biomechanical alterations may manifest as reduced neck functional capacity, including limited range of motion and diminished performance in daily activities.
Assessment of scapular position and its influence on the cervical region has been carried out through several approaches, including comparisons of scapular resting alignment in individuals with and without neck pain, the analysis of how altering scapular positioning affects both pain and neck function, and the evaluation of pressure pain threshold in the upper trapezius as an indicator of sensitization. Despite these efforts, the relationship between depressed scapular position at rest, neck pain, and cervical function remains insufficiently explored, highlighting the need for further research to clarify this interaction. To our knowledge, the correlation between the mean vertical scapular distance of both scapulae at rest, neck pain and cervical function is not yet investigated or studied.
In this study, the investigator tried to shed some light on the effect of the depressed scapular position at rest on the neck region in terms of pain intensity, cervical function and to understand the correlation between the mean vertical scapular distance of both scapulae at rest, neck pain and cervical function which will help us to explore new measurements to be used in the diagnosis and the prognosis of patients with neck pain and cervical dysfunction.
Study Design: Cross-Sectional Observational study
Study groups
Included subjects were divided according to the vertical scapular position at rest into two groups:
- - Control group (A): 64 subjects with normal scapular position at rest.
- - Study group (B): 64 subjects with depressed Scapular position at rest.
Each participant was assessed once on the same day of enrollment. No follow-up assessments will be performed.
Statistical Analysis Statistical analysis was performed through the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 for windows.
Statistical Procedures
The following statistical procedures were conducted:
- Descriptive statistics was used to summarize and describe the main features of a dataset and conducted in terms of mean and standard deviation.
- Unpaired t test was conducted for comparison of the subject characteristics between groups.
- Shapiro Wilktest was conducted for testing normality of data.
- One way MANOVA was used for comparison of the Mean Vertical Scapular Distance of both scapulae at rest (Z), Non-Derangement Mechanical Neck Pain, and Cervical Function between groups.
- Spearman correlation coefficient was conducted to investigate the correlation between the Mean Vertical Scapular Distance of both scapulae at rest (Z), Non-Derangement Mechanical Neck Pain, and Cervical Function.
- The level of significance for all statistical tests was set at p < 0.05.
- Conditions
- Neck Pain, Neck Disability
- Being tested
- Assessment of the Vertical Scapular Position at Rest, Measurement of the Mean Vertical Scapular Distance at Rest, The Arabic version of Bournemouth questionnaire for neck pain (BQN), The Arabic Version of Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS)
- Keywords
- Depressed scapular position at rest, The Protractor T8-method, Bournemouth questionnaire for neck pain (BQN), Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS)
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Assessment of the Vertical Scapular Position at RestOther
Assessment of the Vertical Scapular Position at Rest using a Laser level meter, a tripod head, a camera and adhesive round stickers.
Measurement of the Mean Vertical Scapular Distance at RestOther
Measurement of the Mean Vertical Scapular Distance at Rest of both Scapulae using the Protractor - T8 method
The Arabic version of Bournemouth questionnaire for neck pain (BQN)Other
The Arabic version of Bournemouth questionnaire for neck pain (BQN) to measure Non Derangement Mechanical Neck Pain
The Arabic Version of Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS)Other
The Arabic Version of Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS) to measure cervical function
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Subjects with Normal Scapular Position at Rest Receives: Other: Assessment of the Vertical Scapular Position at Rest; Other: Measurement of the Mean Vertical Scapular Distance at Rest; Other: The Arabic version of Bournemouth questionnaire for neck pain (BQN); Other: The Arabic Version of Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS) | |
| Study Group | Subjects with Depressed Scapular Position at Rest Receives: Other: Assessment of the Vertical Scapular Position at Rest; Other: Measurement of the Mean Vertical Scapular Distance at Rest; Other: The Arabic version of Bournemouth questionnaire for neck pain (BQN); Other: The Arabic Version of Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Neck Pain
The Arabic version of Bournemouth questionnaire for neck pain (BQN) will be used to measure Neck Pain.
The lowest score is 0 and the highest score is 70. High scores reflect severe pain and lower life quality.
Measured: Baseline
Cervical Function
The Arabic Version of Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS) will be used to measure cervical function. The lowest score is 0 and the highest score is 30. Worse disability is indicated by higher scores.
Measured: Baseline
The Vertical Scapular Distance at Rest for both Scapulae
The Vertical Scapular Distance at Rest will be measured using a Protractor (the Protractor - T8 method). The spinous process of T8 (SPT8) and the inferior angle of the scapula (IAS) serving as the primary anatomical landmarks of interest. Two horizontal lines are drawn at these two anatomical landmarks representing their horizontal levels, then the vertical distance between these two levels is measured three times, then their mean was recorded, the spirit level of the protractor ensures that the level of the measurement was the same at all times. this process was done for the right and the left scapulae, and the mean of the two scapulae measurements was calculated.
Measured: Baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Mar 2026
- Study start20 Dec 2023
- Primary completion23 Dec 2024
- Study completion10 Feb 2025
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.
- 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
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 128 participants (actual)
- Target duration
- 1 Day
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Yasser Kamal Eldin Mohamed Hadhood, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07484984
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- P.T.REC/012/006018
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 23 Mar 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 23 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Depressed Scapular Position at Rest on the Neck Pain and Function
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07484984
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- P.T.REC/012/006018
- Conditions
- Neck Pain, Neck Disability
- Keywords
- Depressed scapular position at rest, The Protractor T8-method, Bournemouth questionnaire for neck pain (BQN), Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS)
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 128 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Dec 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 23 Dec 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 Feb 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 20 Mar 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.
The purpose of this study is to explore whether depressed scapular alignment is associated with increased neck pain and decreased cervical functional capacity, and to investigate the correlation between the mean vertical scapular distance of both scapulae at rest, neck pain intensity, and cervical function.
Detailed description
Introduction Neck pain is a major global health problem affecting a large portion of the adult population, with a worldwide prevalence ranging from 16.7% to 75.1%. The economic burden associated with neck pain is substantial, manifested through job-related issues, absenteeism, reduced productivity, and elevated treatment costs. In the United States alone, approximately 25.5 million individuals missed an average of 11.4 working days due to neck pain in 2012, and in 2016, healthcare expenditures related to neck pain reached approximately $134.5 billion, making it one of the most costly health conditions in the country.
While pain intensity has its socioeconomic consequences, also neck dysfunction constitutes an equally important dimension of this condition. Impaired neck function has been linked to deficits in cervical range of motion, proprioception, and muscular endurance, all of which can compromise daily activities, work performance, and overall quality of life. Among the multiple biomechanical factors influencing neck pain and function, the scapular position has gained growing attention. The scapula plays a critical role in maintaining postural alignment and providing a stable base for neck and shoulder movement.
Studies have shown initial evidence that individuals with neck pain may demonstrate altered scapular alignment when compared with healthy controls, though the limited sample sizes in such studies constrain the strength of these conclusions and warrant further investigation.
Also altered scapular alignment has been associated with decreased pressure pain thresholds (PPT) in the upper trapezius region, indicating heightened sensitivity to pain. Moreover, it may alter the length-tension relationship of the upper trapezius and levator scapulae muscles, potentially compromising cervical stability and movement efficiency. Such biomechanical alterations may manifest as reduced neck functional capacity, including limited range of motion and diminished performance in daily activities.
Assessment of scapular position and its influence on the cervical region has been carried out through several approaches, including comparisons of scapular resting alignment in individuals with and without neck pain, the analysis of how altering scapular positioning affects both pain and neck function, and the evaluation of pressure pain threshold in the upper trapezius as an indicator of sensitization. Despite these efforts, the relationship between depressed scapular position at rest, neck pain, and cervical function remains insufficiently explored, highlighting the need for further research to clarify this interaction. To our knowledge, the correlation between the mean vertical scapular distance of both scapulae at rest, neck pain and cervical function is not yet investigated or studied.
In this study, the investigator tried to shed some light on the effect of the depressed scapular position at rest on the neck region in terms of pain intensity, cervical function and to understand the correlation between the mean vertical scapular distance of both scapulae at rest, neck pain and cervical function which will help us to explore new measurements to be used in the diagnosis and the prognosis of patients with neck pain and cervical dysfunction.
Study Design: Cross-Sectional Observational study
Study groups
Included subjects were divided according to the vertical scapular position at rest into two groups:
- - Control group (A): 64 subjects with normal scapular position at rest.
- - Study group (B): 64 subjects with depressed Scapular position at rest.
Each participant was assessed once on the same day of enrollment. No follow-up assessments will be performed.
Statistical Analysis Statistical analysis was performed through the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 for windows.
Statistical Procedures
The following statistical procedures were conducted:
- Descriptive statistics was used to summarize and describe the main features of a dataset and conducted in terms of mean and standard deviation.
- Unpaired t test was conducted for comparison of the subject characteristics between groups.
- Shapiro Wilktest was conducted for testing normality of data.
- One way MANOVA was used for comparison of the Mean Vertical Scapular Distance of both scapulae at rest (Z), Non-Derangement Mechanical Neck Pain, and Cervical Function between groups.
- Spearman correlation coefficient was conducted to investigate the correlation between the Mean Vertical Scapular Distance of both scapulae at rest (Z), Non-Derangement Mechanical Neck Pain, and Cervical Function.
- The level of significance for all statistical tests was set at p < 0.05.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Target follow-up
- 1 Day
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | – | Other: Assessment of the Vertical Scapular Position at Rest, Other: Measurement of the Mean Vertical Scapular Distance at Rest, Other: The Arabic version of Bournemouth questionnaire for neck pain (BQN), Other: The Arabic Version of Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS)Subjects with Normal Scapular Position at Rest |
| Study Group | – | Other: Assessment of the Vertical Scapular Position at Rest, Other: Measurement of the Mean Vertical Scapular Distance at Rest, Other: The Arabic version of Bournemouth questionnaire for neck pain (BQN), Other: The Arabic Version of Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS)Subjects with Depressed Scapular Position at Rest |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- The Faculty of Physical Therapy at Cairo University
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- - Young adults with age from 18 to 30 years old.
- - Subjects with Body Mass Index less than 30
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- - Cervical spine surgeries, fractures or pathologic trauma, Subjects with cervical or shoulder neurological movement disorder, Tempromandibular surgery, psychosocial problem.
- - A documented diagnosis of scoliosis or a posterior rib hump greater than five degrees on forward bending as measured with the scoliometer (ATR ≥ 5°).
- - Known or measured Leg Length Discrepancy (LLD) greater than 1 cm.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment of the Vertical Scapular Position at RestAssessment of the Vertical Scapular Position at Rest using a Laser level meter, a tripod head, a camera and adhesive round stickers. | Other | Control Group, Study Group |
| Measurement of the Mean Vertical Scapular Distance at RestMeasurement of the Mean Vertical Scapular Distance at Rest of both Scapulae using the Protractor - T8 method | Other | Control Group, Study Group |
| The Arabic version of Bournemouth questionnaire for neck pain (BQN)The Arabic version of Bournemouth questionnaire for neck pain (BQN) to measure Non Derangement Mechanical Neck Pain | Other | Control Group, Study Group |
| The Arabic Version of Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS)The Arabic Version of Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS) to measure cervical function | Other | Control Group, Study Group |
Primary outcome
Neck Pain
Time frame: Baseline
The Arabic version of Bournemouth questionnaire for neck pain (BQN) will be used to measure Neck Pain. The lowest score is 0 and the highest score is 70. High scores reflect severe pain and lower life quality.
Cervical Function
Time frame: Baseline
The Arabic Version of Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS) will be used to measure cervical function. The lowest score is 0 and the highest score is 30. Worse disability is indicated by higher scores.
The Vertical Scapular Distance at Rest for both Scapulae
Time frame: Baseline
The Vertical Scapular Distance at Rest will be measured using a Protractor (the Protractor - T8 method). The spinous process of T8 (SPT8) and the inferior angle of the scapula (IAS) serving as the primary anatomical landmarks of interest. Two horizontal lines are drawn at these two anatomical landmarks representing their horizontal levels, then the vertical distance between these two levels is measured three times, then their mean was recorded, the spirit level of the protractor ensures that the level of the measurement was the same at all times. this process was done for the right and the left scapulae, and the mean of the two scapulae measurements was calculated.
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 23 Mar 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 Neck Pain and Neck Disability, 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 2 inclusion and 3 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 23 Mar 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?
Neck Pain (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. 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 23 Mar 2026.