Neck PainNCT07489014
The Effects of Mulligan Joint Mobilization and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in Individuals With Neck Pain
A study testing Instrumental Soft Tissue Mobilization and Mobilization in people with Neck Pain, run by Istanbul Rumeli University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The study will include a total of 40 individuals aged 18-65 years with chronic neck pain for at least three months. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: the Mulligan mobilization group (n=20) and the AYDM group (n=20). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Neck Pain
- What is being tested?
- Instrumental Soft Tissue Mobilization and Mobilization
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 13 Mar 2026to 30 Apr 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 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- • Volunteering to participate in the study
- Being between 18 and 65 years of age
- Having experienced mechanical neck pain for at least 3 months
- Not having any contraindications for manual therapy
Who cannot join
- Receiving a diagnosis of a psychiatric illness
- Having a history of spinal surgery
- Having other musculoskeletal problems that may affect the cervical region (such as scoliosis, shoulder pathologies, thoracic outlet syndrome)
- Having received physiotherapy for neck and back problems 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.
About this study
Official title: Comparison of the Effects of Mulligan Joint Mobilization and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Pain Intensity, Cervical Awareness, and Functionality in Individuals With Chronic Neck Pain
The study will include a total of 40 individuals aged 18-65 years with chronic neck pain for at least three months. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: the Mulligan mobilization group (n=20) and the AYDM group (n=20). Both groups will receive a total of 12 treatment sessions, 3 days a week for 4 weeks. Assessments will be performed before and after treatment. Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), cervical awareness using the Fremantle Neck Awareness Questionnaire (FNA), and functionality using the Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS). In addition, measurements of cervical joint range of motion, deep neck flexor muscle endurance, quality of life (SF-36), and depression level (Beck Depression Scale) will be taken.
- Conditions
- Neck Pain
- Being tested
- Instrumental Soft Tissue Mobilization, Mobilization
- Keywords
- neck pain, mulligan, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, cervical awareness, function, pain
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain, Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Instrumental Soft Tissue MobilizationOther
The treatments will administered 3 days a week for a total of 12 sessions over 4 weeks.
MobilizationOther
The treatments will administered 3 days a week for a total of 12 sessions over 4 weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Mulligan | Active comparator | In line with the Mulligan Concept, natural apophyseal gliding (NAGs) and sustained natural apophyseal gliding (SNAGs) techniques will be applied. Receives: Other: Mobilization |
| Instrumental Soft Tissue Mobilization | Active comparator | In the Instrumental Soft Tissue Mobilization (ITSM) group, participants will undergo bilateral procedures on the upper and middle trapezius muscles, levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoid (SCM), anterior, medius and posterior scalene muscle groups, erector spine, and suboccipital muscles. Receives: Other: Instrumental Soft Tissue Mobilization |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity
Visual Pain Scale.Participants' pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The Visual Analog Scale is a validated and reliable scale that quantitatively determines the intensity of pain perceived by an individual. The scale consists of a 10 cm long horizontal or vertical line, with one end of the line defined as "0 = no pain" and the other end as "10 = unbearable pain".
Measured: Baseline and at the end of treatment (week 4)
Range of motion
To assess the active range of motion of the cervical joint, the tape measure method described by Hsieh et al. (1986) was used. This method is reported to be a practical and reliable measurement tool for assessing cervical range of motion in clinical practice.
Measured: Baseline and at the end of treatment (week 4)
Cervical awareness
Fremantle Neck Awareness Questionnaire
Measured: Baseline and at the end of treatment (week 4)
Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale
Neck Functional Disability is a 15-item questionnaire. Total score(0-30) indicate higher disability
Measured: Baseline and at the end of treatment (week 4)
Secondary outcomes (3)
Neck flexor endurance
The test protocol is performed with the individual in a supine position, with knees bent and soles of feet touching the ground (hook position). Individuals are asked to comfortably position their hands on their abdominal area.
During the procedure, the physiotherapist places their index and middle fingers overlapping under the participant's head. Participants are first instructed to pull their chin inward and downward (chin-tuck) and, while maintaining this position, to perform active craniocervical flexion, raising their head approximately 2.5 cm above the physiotherapist's fingers. The maximum time participants canmaintain this position without breaking it was recorded in seconds using a stopwatch.
Measured: Baseline and at the end of treatment (week 4)
SF-36 Quality of life
The SF-36 does not have a total scoring system; assessment is based on eight sub-dimensions: physical function, physical role difficulty, emotional role difficulty, social function, mental health, energy (vitality), pain, and general health perception.
Measured: Baseline and at the end of treatment (week 4)
Depression Scale
Beck Depression Scale is a psychological status-based scale consisting of 21 items developed to assess an individual's recent emotional state. Each item on the scale is scored between 0 and 3, and the level of depression is determined based on the total score obtained.
Measured: Baseline and at the end of treatment (week 4)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Mar 2026
- Study start13 Mar 2026
- Primary completion1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Apr 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
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Rumeli University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ozden Baskan, Istanbul Rumeli University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07489014
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IstanbulRumeliU-FTR-ENS-01
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 23 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- 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
- Comparison of the Effects of Mulligan Joint Mobilization and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Pain Intensity, Cervical Awareness, and Functionality in Individuals With Chronic Neck Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07489014
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IstanbulRumeliU-FTR-ENS-01
- Conditions
- Neck Pain
- Keywords
- neck pain, mulligan, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, cervical awareness, function, pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Enrolling by invitation
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Rumeli UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 13 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Apr 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 23 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 study will include a total of 40 individuals aged 18-65 years with chronic neck pain for at least three months. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: the Mulligan mobilization group (n=20) and the AYDM group (n=20). Both groups will receive a total of 12 treatment sessions, 3 days a week for 4 weeks. Assessments will be performed before and after treatment. Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), cervical awareness using the Fremantle Neck Awareness Questionnaire (FNA), and functionality using the Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS). In addition, measurements of cervical joint range of motion, deep neck flexor muscle endurance, quality of life (SF-36), and depression level (Beck Depression Scale) will be taken.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Mulligan | Active comparator | Other: MobilizationIn line with the Mulligan Concept, natural apophyseal gliding (NAGs) and sustained natural apophyseal gliding (SNAGs) techniques will be applied. |
| Instrumental Soft Tissue Mobilization | Active comparator | Other: Instrumental Soft Tissue MobilizationIn the Instrumental Soft Tissue Mobilization (ITSM) group, participants will undergo bilateral procedures on the upper and middle trapezius muscles, levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoid (SCM), anterior, medius and posterior scalene muscle groups, erector spine, and suboccipital muscles. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- • Volunteering to participate in the study
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Receiving a diagnosis of a psychiatric illness
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Instrumental Soft Tissue MobilizationThe treatments will administered 3 days a week for a total of 12 sessions over 4 weeks. | Other | Instrumental Soft Tissue Mobilization |
| MobilizationThe treatments will administered 3 days a week for a total of 12 sessions over 4 weeks. | Other | Mulligan |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of treatment (week 4)
Visual Pain Scale.Participants' pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The Visual Analog Scale is a validated and reliable scale that quantitatively determines the intensity of pain perceived by an individual. The scale consists of a 10 cm long horizontal or vertical line, with one end of the line defined as "0 = no pain" and the other end as "10 = unbearable pain".
Range of motion
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of treatment (week 4)
To assess the active range of motion of the cervical joint, the tape measure method described by Hsieh et al. (1986) was used. This method is reported to be a practical and reliable measurement tool for assessing cervical range of motion in clinical practice.
Cervical awareness
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of treatment (week 4)
Fremantle Neck Awareness Questionnaire
Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of treatment (week 4)
Neck Functional Disability is a 15-item questionnaire. Total score(0-30) indicate higher disability
3 secondary outcomes
Neck flexor endurance
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of treatment (week 4)
SF-36 Quality of life
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of treatment (week 4)
Depression Scale
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of treatment (week 4)
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 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.
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?
A study testing Instrumental Soft Tissue Mobilization and Mobilization in people with Neck Pain, run by Istanbul Rumeli 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 4 inclusion and 4 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: enrolling by invitation, 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 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?
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?
Pain Intensity (time frame: Baseline and at the end of treatment (week 4)). The study lists 4 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.