Neck PainNCT07562737
Neck Pain in Office Workers
A study testing 2 min Neck exercises, 5 min Neck exercise and 7 min Neck ecercise in people with Neck Pain, run by Lithuanian Sports University at 1 site in Lithuania.
Trial summary
The aim of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of short exercise breaks (2, 5, and 7 minutes) on chronic non-specific neck pain in office workers. It is a 12-week randomized controlled trial assessing pain, disability, and multiple functional and occupational outcomes. 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?
- 2 min Neck exercises, 5 min Neck exercise and 7 min Neck ecercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 120 participants
- Where
- 1 siteLithuania
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2025to 1 Aug 2027
- 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
- Office workers engaged in sedentary work for at least 6 hours per day.
Who cannot join
- individuals with a specific neck diagnosis or acute neck pain.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Lithuania1 site
Department of health promotion and rehabilitation
Kaunas, Lt-44221, 44221
About this study
Official title: Effect Of Short Neck-Stretching Exercise Breaks On Neck Pain And Related Factors In Office Workers
The aim of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of short exercise breaks (2, 5, and 7 minutes) on chronic non-specific neck pain in office workers. It is a 12-week randomized controlled trial assessing pain, disability, and multiple functional and occupational outcomes. We aim to determine the most effective exercise duration for reducing neck pain and improving quality of life, productivity, and job satisfaction.
Read the detailed description
This study investigates the effectiveness of brief exercise breaks of different durations (2, 5, and 7 minutes) in managing chronic non-specific neck pain among office workers. Neck pain is highly prevalent in individuals exposed to prolonged computer use and static postures, and it is associated with reduced quality of life, decreased work productivity, and increased occupational strain. Although exercise-based interventions are recommended, adherence to traditional home programs remains low, highlighting the need for simple and time-efficient strategies.
The study was designed as a 12-week, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Participants with chronic non-specific neck pain and are randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups (2-, 5-, or 7-minute exercise programs) or a control group. We plan to enroll at least 120 participants.
- Conditions
- Neck Pain
- Being tested
- 2 min Neck exercises, 5 min Neck exercise, 7 min Neck ecercise
- Keywords
- sedentary, office workers, neck pain, disability, manual dexterity, balance, coordination, strenght
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain, Sedentary Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
2 min Neck exercisesOther
Participants are required to perform the exercises during working hours, once every hour throughout the workday.
5 min Neck exerciseOther
Participants in this group are required to perform the 5 min duration exercises during working hours, once every hour throughout the workday.
7 min Neck ecerciseOther
Participants in this group are required to perform the 7 minn duration exercises during working hours, once every hour throughout the workday.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 2 min exercise | Active comparator | Participants of this arm have uing work hours to complete 2 min exercise programme each hour Receives: Other: 2 min Neck exercises |
| 5 min exercise | Active comparator | Participants of this arm have uing work hours to complete 5 min exercise programme each hour Receives: Other: 5 min Neck exercise |
| 7 min exercise | Active comparator | Participants in this group are required to perform the 7 min duration exercises during working hours, once every hour throughout the workday. Receives: Other: 7 min Neck ecercise |
| Controls | No intervention | participants of this group will not get any intervention |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Neck pain
Numeric pain scale. Participants rate their pain on a scale from 0 to 10, where:
0 = no pain,10 = worst imaginable pain
Measured: pre and post intervention (12 week)
Neck Disability Index
The questionnaire consists of 10 items, each scored from 0 to 5. The total score is interpreted as a percentage, where 0 points or 0% indicates no ac-tivity limitation, and 50 points or 100% indicates complete activity limitation. The NDI is a reliable and valid tool for assessing patients with neck pain, with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.50 to 0.98. Patients scoring between 0-4 points (0-8%) are considered to have no disability, 5-14 points (10-28%) mild disability, 15-24 points (30-48%) moderate disability, 25-34 points (50-64%) severe disability, and 35-50 points (70-100%) complete disability
Measured: Pre-post intervention (12 week)
Postural stability
Postural stability is assessed using the Biodex Balance System (BBS; Biodex Medical Systems Inc., Shirley, NY, USA), a validated computerized platform widely used to quantify balance performance and neuromuscular control in both healthy and clinical populations. Participants stood barefoot on the dynamic platform, with foot placement standardized by the system to ensure consistency across trials. They were instructed to maintain an upright posture with hands on the hips and to focus on a monitor positioned in front of them, which provided real-time visual feedback, enabling continuous monitoring and voluntary correction of postural sway (Biodex Medical Systems, 2020).Outcome measures automatically recorded by the BBS included the Overall Stability Index), Anterior-Posterior Stability Index, Medial-Lateral Stability Index, Overall Sway Index, Anterior-Posterior Sway Index, Medial-Lateral Sway Index, and Time-in-Zones percentages.
Measured: Pre-post intervention (12 week)
Bilateral Coordination
Bilateral coordination are assessed using the Bilateral Comparison Test module of the Biodex Balance System (BBS), which evaluates static postural sway and interlimb symmetry under controlled conditions [24, 25]. Participants performed a single trial consisting of a 10-second single-leg stance on the left leg followed immediately by a 10-second single-leg stance on the right leg. All trials were conducted barefoot, with hands placed on the hips, while the platform remained static to isolate static balance control.
The BBS automatically generate the following outcome measures: Overall Left and Right Sway Indices, Overall Interlimb Difference, Anterior-Posterior (A/P) Left and Right Sway Indices, A/P Interlimb Difference, and Medial-Lateral (M/L) Left and Right Sway Indices, as well as M/L Interlimb Difference (Supplementary Figure 2).
Lower sway index values indicate better postural stability, reflecting reduced body sway. Smaller interlimb differences indicate greater bilateral symme
Measured: Pre-post (12 wek)
Manual dexterity performance (Purdue Pegboard Test)
The Purdue Pegboard Test Model #32020A was used to assess unimanual and bimanual finger and hand dexterity performance among office workers with neck pain. This test was recognized as a reliable and valid tool for fine motor skills assessment and can be used for assessment in case of a variety of neurological disorders. The three test batteries were performed: 1) dominant hand; 2) non dominant hand; 3) both hands. The test procedures were performed according to the Purdue Pegboard Test User Instructions. The board was placed on a table in front of the subject comfortably sitting on a chair. The top right and left cups were filled with 25 pins in each to equal a total of 50 pins. Before performing the test the subject was instructed: "This is a test to see how quickly and accurately you can work with your hands. Before you begin each battery of the test, you will be told what to do and then you will have an opportunity to practice. Be sure you understand exactly what to do.
Measured: Pre-post (12 week)
Miotonometry
Muscle tone was assessed using a myotonometer. The tone of the upper trapezius muscle was measured with a Myoton PRO device (Myoton AS, Tallinn, Estonia). This method allows for a simple and noninvasive evaluation of the mechanical properties of muscles and demonstrates high reliability, with an intra-rater correlation coefficient ranging from 0.94 to 0.99. Participants were seated on a chair with back support with both hands resting on their thighs and looked straight ahead during the measurements. Measurements were performed on the upper trapezius muscle bilaterally (right and left) at the midpoint of the line connecting the spinous process of the C7 vertebra and the acromion of the scapula. Three biomechanical parameters were recorded: muscle tone (Hz), elasticity (logarithmic decrement), and stiffness (N/m). During the measurement, the skin was preloaded with a force of 0.18 N, followed by five mechanical impulses of 0.4 N applied at 15-second interval
Measured: Pre-post (12 week)
Secondary outcomes (6)
Age
in years
Measured: Once- pre intervention
Body Composition
Body height was measured using a wall-mounted stadiometer equipped with a centimeter scale. Body composition was assessed using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer (TANITA BC 240 SMA, Tanita, Tokyo, Japan). The body composition parameters evaluated in this study included fat mass (kg and %), fat-free mass (kg and %), and muscle mass (kg and %).
Measured: Pre-post (12 week)
Sleep Quality (Numeric Scale)
Sleep quality was assessed using a numeric rating scale. Participants rated their overall sleep quality on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 indicated very poor sleep and 10 indicated excellent sleep. Higher scores reflect better perceived sleep quality.
The SQS is a self-administered questionnaire that incorporates a discretizing VAS. The questionnaire instructions direct the respondent to rate the overall quality of sleep over a 7-day recall period on a discretizing VAS, whereby the respondent marks an integer score from 0 to 10, according to the following five categories: 0 = terrible, 1-3 = poor, 4-6 = fair, 7-9 = good, and 10 = excellent
Measured: pre-post (12 week)
Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire
The MSQ-Short Form consists of 20 items assessing intrinsic (12 items) and extrinsic (8 items) job satisfaction. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (very dissatisfied) to 5 (very satisfied). The global satisfaction score is calculated by averaging all item scores. The neutral score is 3; scores above 3 indicate high job satisfaction, while scores below 3 indicate low job satisfaction. The maximum total score is 100, representing the highest possible job satisfaction.
Measured: Pre-post (12 week)
Hand Grip Strength
Grip strength was measured using a Saehan SH5001 hand dynamometer (Germany). Measurements for both the dominant and non-dominant hands were taken. The maximum grip strength was recorded in kilograms (kg). Three measurements were taken with 15 seconds of rest between each trial, and the average result was recorded
Measured: Pre-post (12 week)
Short Form-36 Health Surve
is a widely used patient-reported questionnaire designed to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in both clinical and general populations. It consists of 36 items covering eight health domains: Physical functioning Role limitations due to physical health Bodily pain General health perceptions Vitality (energy/fatigue) Social functioning Role limitations due to emotional problems Mental health Each domain is scored on a scale from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better health status and functioning. The SF-36 provides two summary measures: the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS).
Measured: Pr-post (12 week)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted1 May 2026
- Study start1 Aug 2025
- Primary completion1 Aug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Aug 2027 (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
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Four parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Lithuanian Sports University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Vilma Dudoniene, Lithuanian Sports University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07562737
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Lithuanian Sports University32
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 24 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 7 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect Of Short Neck-Stretching Exercise Breaks On Neck Pain And Related Factors In Office Workers
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07562737
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Lithuanian Sports University32
- Conditions
- Neck Pain
- Keywords
- sedentary, office workers, neck pain, disability, manual dexterity, balance, coordination, strenght
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Enrolling by invitation
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Lithuanian Sports UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Aug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Aug 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 1 May 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 aim of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of short exercise breaks (2, 5, and 7 minutes) on chronic non-specific neck pain in office workers. It is a 12-week randomized controlled trial assessing pain, disability, and multiple functional and occupational outcomes. We aim to determine the most effective exercise duration for reducing neck pain and improving quality of life, productivity, and job satisfaction.
Detailed description
This study investigates the effectiveness of brief exercise breaks of different durations (2, 5, and 7 minutes) in managing chronic non-specific neck pain among office workers. Neck pain is highly prevalent in individuals exposed to prolonged computer use and static postures, and it is associated with reduced quality of life, decreased work productivity, and increased occupational strain. Although exercise-based interventions are recommended, adherence to traditional home programs remains low, highlighting the need for simple and time-efficient strategies.
The study was designed as a 12-week, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Participants with chronic non-specific neck pain and are randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups (2-, 5-, or 7-minute exercise programs) or a control group. We plan to enroll at least 120 participants.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 4
- Model description
- Four parallel groups
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| 2 min exercise | Active comparator | Other: 2 min Neck exercisesParticipants of this arm have uing work hours to complete 2 min exercise programme each hour |
| 5 min exercise | Active comparator | Other: 5 min Neck exerciseParticipants of this arm have uing work hours to complete 5 min exercise programme each hour |
| 7 min exercise | Active comparator | Other: 7 min Neck ecerciseParticipants in this group are required to perform the 7 min duration exercises during working hours, once every hour throughout the workday. |
| Controls | No intervention | –participants of this group will not get any intervention |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Office workers engaged in sedentary work for at least 6 hours per day.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- individuals with a specific neck diagnosis or acute neck pain.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 min Neck exercisesParticipants are required to perform the exercises during working hours, once every hour throughout the workday. | Other | 2 min exercise |
| 5 min Neck exerciseParticipants in this group are required to perform the 5 min duration exercises during working hours, once every hour throughout the workday. | Other | 5 min exercise |
| 7 min Neck ecerciseParticipants in this group are required to perform the 7 minn duration exercises during working hours, once every hour throughout the workday. | Other | 7 min exercise |
Primary outcome
Neck pain
Time frame: pre and post intervention (12 week)
Numeric pain scale. Participants rate their pain on a scale from 0 to 10, where: 0 = no pain,10 = worst imaginable pain
Neck Disability Index
Time frame: Pre-post intervention (12 week)
The questionnaire consists of 10 items, each scored from 0 to 5. The total score is interpreted as a percentage, where 0 points or 0% indicates no ac-tivity limitation, and 50 points or 100% indicates complete activity limitation. The NDI is a reliable and valid tool for assessing patients with neck pain, with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.50 to 0.98. Patients scoring between 0-4 points (0-8%) are considered to have no disability, 5-14 points (10-28%) mild disability, 15-24 points (30-48%) moderate disability, 25-34 points (50-64%) severe disability, and 35-50 points (70-100%) complete disability
Postural stability
Time frame: Pre-post intervention (12 week)
Postural stability is assessed using the Biodex Balance System (BBS; Biodex Medical Systems Inc., Shirley, NY, USA), a validated computerized platform widely used to quantify balance performance and neuromuscular control in both healthy and clinical populations. Participants stood barefoot on the dynamic platform, with foot placement standardized by the system to ensure consistency across trials. They were instructed to maintain an upright posture with hands on the hips and to focus on a monitor positioned in front of them, which provided real-time visual feedback, enabling continuous monitoring and voluntary correction of postural sway (Biodex Medical Systems, 2020).Outcome measures automatically recorded by the BBS included the Overall Stability Index), Anterior-Posterior Stability Index, Medial-Lateral Stability Index, Overall Sway Index, Anterior-Posterior Sway Index, Medial-Lateral Sway Index, and Time-in-Zones percentages.
Bilateral Coordination
Time frame: Pre-post (12 wek)
Bilateral coordination are assessed using the Bilateral Comparison Test module of the Biodex Balance System (BBS), which evaluates static postural sway and interlimb symmetry under controlled conditions [24, 25]. Participants performed a single trial consisting of a 10-second single-leg stance on the left leg followed immediately by a 10-second single-leg stance on the right leg. All trials were conducted barefoot, with hands placed on the hips, while the platform remained static to isolate static balance control. The BBS automatically generate the following outcome measures: Overall Left and Right Sway Indices, Overall Interlimb Difference, Anterior-Posterior (A/P) Left and Right Sway Indices, A/P Interlimb Difference, and Medial-Lateral (M/L) Left and Right Sway Indices, as well as M/L Interlimb Difference (Supplementary Figure 2). Lower sway index values indicate better postural stability, reflecting reduced body sway. Smaller interlimb differences indicate greater bilateral symme
Manual dexterity performance (Purdue Pegboard Test)
Time frame: Pre-post (12 week)
The Purdue Pegboard Test Model #32020A was used to assess unimanual and bimanual finger and hand dexterity performance among office workers with neck pain. This test was recognized as a reliable and valid tool for fine motor skills assessment and can be used for assessment in case of a variety of neurological disorders. The three test batteries were performed: 1) dominant hand; 2) non dominant hand; 3) both hands. The test procedures were performed according to the Purdue Pegboard Test User Instructions. The board was placed on a table in front of the subject comfortably sitting on a chair. The top right and left cups were filled with 25 pins in each to equal a total of 50 pins. Before performing the test the subject was instructed: "This is a test to see how quickly and accurately you can work with your hands. Before you begin each battery of the test, you will be told what to do and then you will have an opportunity to practice. Be sure you understand exactly what to do.
Miotonometry
Time frame: Pre-post (12 week)
Muscle tone was assessed using a myotonometer. The tone of the upper trapezius muscle was measured with a Myoton PRO device (Myoton AS, Tallinn, Estonia). This method allows for a simple and noninvasive evaluation of the mechanical properties of muscles and demonstrates high reliability, with an intra-rater correlation coefficient ranging from 0.94 to 0.99. Participants were seated on a chair with back support with both hands resting on their thighs and looked straight ahead during the measurements. Measurements were performed on the upper trapezius muscle bilaterally (right and left) at the midpoint of the line connecting the spinous process of the C7 vertebra and the acromion of the scapula. Three biomechanical parameters were recorded: muscle tone (Hz), elasticity (logarithmic decrement), and stiffness (N/m). During the measurement, the skin was preloaded with a force of 0.18 N, followed by five mechanical impulses of 0.4 N applied at 15-second interval
6 secondary outcomes
Age
Time frame: Once- pre intervention
Body Composition
Time frame: Pre-post (12 week)
Sleep Quality (Numeric Scale)
Time frame: pre-post (12 week)
Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire
Time frame: Pre-post (12 week)
Hand Grip Strength
Time frame: Pre-post (12 week)
Short Form-36 Health Surve
Time frame: Pr-post (12 week)
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 7 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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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 2 min Neck exercises, 5 min Neck exercise and 7 min Neck ecercise in people with Neck Pain, run by Lithuanian Sports University at 1 site in Lithuania.
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 1 inclusion and 1 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 7 May 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 Lithuania. 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?
Neck pain (time frame: pre and post intervention (12 week)). The study lists 6 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 7 May 2026.