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Non-specific Chronic Neck PainNCT07606729

AI-Driven Programs for Non-specific Chronic Neck Pain

A study testing Pressure Biobfeedback and Hot Pack in people with Non-specific Chronic Neck Pain, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

Non-specific chronic neck pain represents a major global health burden, affecting 30% to 50% of the general population. It is particularly prevalent among office workers, computer users, and women, with a notable rise in young adults aged 20 to 24. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 35 years
Conditions the study is for
Non-specific Chronic Neck Pain
What is being tested?
Pressure Biobfeedback and Hot Pack
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
40 participants
Where
1 siteEgypt
Study dates
10 Jan 2026to 19 May 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 35 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • The patients were selected according to the following criteria:
  • Forty subjects who have complained of Nonspecific chronic Neck pain diagnosed by a physician will be recruited from the outpatient clinics through direct referrals, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Misr University for Science and Technology.
  • Having neck pain for at least three months.
  • Age: between 18-35 years old
  • Both genders (Males and Females).
  • Normal body mass index BMI (18.5-24.9)

Who cannot join

  • A history of cervical spine injury or surgery.
  • Neck pain as secondary to other conditions including neoplasm, neurological diseases or vascular diseases.
  • Radiculopathy with neurological deficits.
  • A history of infection or inflammatory arthritis in the cervical spine.
  • Physical therapy within last six months.
  • Presence of pain in the shoulder, upper extremity, scapula, or cervical spine that prohibited exercise.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Egypt1 site
  • Mariam

    Giza

Other trials in Egypt

About this study

Official title: Efficacy of AI-Driven Program and Traditional Physical Therapy Program in Patients With Non-Specific Chronic Neck Pain

Non-specific chronic neck pain represents a major global health burden, affecting 30% to 50% of the general population. It is particularly prevalent among office workers, computer users, and women, with a notable rise in young adults aged 20 to 24. While acute episodes of neck pain may initially resolve, underlying functional impairments often persist, causing over a third of patients to develop chronic symptoms lasting three months or longer. Typically localized in the lateral and posterior neck regions without radicular signs, this condition is frequently driven by poor posture and improper ergonomics. The resulting abnormal stress on the cervical spine and musculature severely limits daily activities, lowers overall quality of life, and places a heavy socioeconomic strain on patients and their communities.

Traditional conservative management typically relies on a combination of pharmacotherapy and standard physical therapy modalities, including manual techniques, exercise programs, electrotherapy, and thermal agents. However, these conventional interventions demand frequent, in-person clinical visits, creating a significant financial and logistical barrier for many families, particularly under current economic challenges in Egypt. Consequently, there is an urgent need for cost-effective, highly accessible, and novel rehabilitation models that can streamline care and optimize clinical outcomes.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning offer a promising solution to these challenges by providing automated, data-driven remote care. Through mobile apps and smart rehabilitation platforms, AI can analyze complex clinical datasets-including patient demographics, pain intensity, and radiographic alignment-to predict treatment timelines and automate routine clinical tasks. Crucially, AI solves the problem of standardized, non-individualized home exercise plans by adjusting to a patient's daily symptom presentation, mimics a therapist's tailored approach, and offers real-time feedback. However, as these technologies advance, a clear gap remains in the physical therapy profession. Many clinicians lack a foundational understanding of AI fundamentals and harbor concerns about automation, highlighting an urgent need to evaluate physical therapists' perceptions and preparation to foster clinical trust and seamless integration.

Read the detailed description

The prevalence of chronic non-specific neck pain (CNNP) is on the rise among the young adult population. Non-specific neck pain stands as the fourth leading cause of chronic disability, with an annual prevalence rate exceeding 30%. Chronic non-specific neck pain (CNNP), is projected to affect 48%-67% of individuals at some point in their lifetime. The economic repercussions of neck pain extend to both individuals and society, encompassing costs related to healthcare, insurance, loss of productivity, and sick leave. In young adults, neck pain has been identified as a risk factor for reduced general work productivity. ( Zhang , Y ,et al,2024) Chronic nonspecific neck pain is the most frequent form of neck pain. It is commonly associated with biomechanical, functional, proprioceptive, and postural impairments. When symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks, the condition acquires the value of chronicity and is denominated chronic nonspecific neck pain (CNSNP). (Mendes-Fernandes, T, et al, 2021) Nonspecific neck pain commonly arises insidiously and is generally multifactorial in origin, including one or more of the following: poor posture, anxiety, depression, neck strain, and sporting or occupational activities. (Wilhelm, M, et al, 2023) Since proprioceptive deficit has frequently been observed following chronic neck pain, regaining neck proprioception is a critical part of neck pain rehabilitation to decrease the extra reliance and postural dependency on visual and vestibular systems while performing functional tasks. Several exercise programs have been prescribed for chronic neck pain patients to relieve pain and improve proprioceptive acuity. It hypothesized that deep flexor training can improve neck proprioception via reducing pain and strengthening the muscles which stabilize the cervical spine. ( Rahnama, L., et al,2023) Conservative care for patients with neck pain often includes pharmacologic therapies. While practice patterns may favor the use of specific agents, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and opioid analgesics, providing short-term pain relief, there is limited evidence supporting their long-term use in most patients with CNNP. Exercise is a crucial component of treatment programs for patients with CNNP. Several trials have concluded that 1- to 6-month neck stretching exercises can decrease neck pain and improve neck function. However, stretching exercises may be insufficient in improving muscle strength. ( Zhang , Y ,et al,2024). Deep cervical flexors play a key role in maintaining cervical lordosis and head posture. Research in neck pain sufferers consistently shows these muscles are both under activated and fatigued compared to healthy controls. Clinically, restoring DCF endurance and activation is recommended for managing neck pain. (Iqbal, Z. A.,et al, 2021). The clinical practice guidelines suggest that manual therapy plus exercise should be the first line of defense for individuals with nonspecific neck pain without red flags. (Wilhelm, M, et al,2023) By evaluating AI-driven treatment planning, this research contributes to the emerging evidence on how technology can augment traditional care. Specifically, it explores whether AI can offer more accurate, personalized, and adaptive treatment plans, thereby enhancing treatment outcomes, improving patient engagement, and potentially reducing the burden on healthcare systems. The results of this study may support the adoption of AI tools in clinical settings, leading to more efficient and accessible rehabilitation models, especially in underserved or remote areas (Rashid \& Sharma, 2025).

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in patient pain medicine education has the potential to revolutionize pain management. By harnessing the power of AI, patient education becomes more personalized, interactive, and supportive, empowering patients to understand their pain, make informed decisions, and actively participate in their pain management journey. AI tailors the educational content to individual patients' needs, providing personalized recommendations. It introduces interactive elements through chatbots and virtual assistants, enhancing engagement and motivation. AI-powered platforms improve accessibility by providing easy access to educational resources and adapting content to diverse patient populations. Future AI applications in pain management include explaining pain mechanisms, treatment options, predicting outcomes based on individualized patient-specific factors, and supporting monitoring and adherence. (Robinson et al, 2024).

Expected Advantages of AI-Based Rehabilitation; Personalized plans adjusted weekly based on real-time patient input, Cost-effective model minimizes the need for frequent clinic visits, Shorter treatment duration adaptive protocols reduce unnecessary sessions, Predictive modeling uses patient data to estimate likely improvement Scalability and accessibility especially beneficial for remote or underserved populations. (Khalid et al, 2024).

By searching the literature there is no study based on our knowledge compare between AI driven exercise and traditional program in pain intensity level , neck ROM, neck proprioception, neck functional ability level in patients with Non-Specific Chronic Neck Pain so, the aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of AI-driven program \& traditional physical therapy programs on pain intensity level , neck ROM, neck proprioception , neck functional ability level in patients with Non-Specific Chronic Neck Pain .

Being tested
Pressure Biobfeedback, Hot Pack
Keywords
NON-SPECIFIC CHRONIC NECK PAIN, TRADITIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY, AI-DRIVEN PROGRAM

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Pressure BiobfeedbackDevice

    Pressure biofeedback is a noninvasive technique that provides knowledge of performance through the hand held apparatus that can augment the patient's sensory feedback mechanism. In clinical practice, pressure biofeedback devices have primarily been used to test and train the deep neck flexor muscles to improve endurance

  • Hot PackDevice

    used for warming up before exercises

Study groups in NCT07606729
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
AI-Driven ProgramExperimentalWeek 1 Hot pack / warm shower Chin to chest Gaze to ceiling Head rotation Shoulder rolls Cranio-cervical flexion (CCF) with pressure biofeedback Wall scapular clocks Week 2 Hot pack / warm shower Cat-cow exercise Thread-the-needle stretch Cranio-cervical flexion (CCF) with pressure biofeedback Theraband rows Serratus wall slides Week 3 Thoracic extension on foam roller Cranio-cervical flexion (CCF) with pressure biofeedback Theraband rows Prone T exercise Week 4 Dynamic pectoral corner stretch Cranio-cervical flexion (CCF) with pressure biofeedback Supine serratus punch Week 5 Prone chin tuck Serratus punch Prone Y exercise Week 6 Cranio-cervical flexion (CCF) with pressure biofeedback Band external rotation Theraband rows
Receives: Device: Pressure Biobfeedback
Traditional Physical Therapy ProgramExperimentalThis Group Will receive neck ROM exercises including: (neck extension, flexion, rotation, lateral bending motions, and scapular retraction, with no resistance), conventional physical therapy including: (Isometric training exercises for neck flexors, extensors, lateral flexors and rotators, Passive stretching exercises for neck extensor muscles, neck lateral flexor muscles, and scalene muscle, Hot packs), Dynamic pec stretch, Chin in exercise, core stabilization exercise including Bridging exercise and Quadruped with leg extension exercise.
Receives: Device: Hot Pack

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Pain Intensity

    For evaluating the pain degree of severity, the visual analogue scale was employed. It is a 10 cm or 100 mm psychometric response scale to measure pain intensity based on numerical values, anchored by a score of 0 no pain and score 10 worst ever pain.

    Measured: up to 6 weeks

  2. Cervical Range of Motion

    Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device is a clinical tool commonly used to measure cervical ROM. The CROM device utilizes three inclinometers to measure active mobility of the cervical spine. Many studies have reported strong validity and reliability of the CROM device supporting the clinical value of the instrument. It was shown to have moderate to good intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of 0.84 to 0.96 and 0.73 to 0.94, respectively.

    Measured: up to 6 weeks

  3. Cervical Proprioception

    The Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device also used to measure proprioception.Cervical proprioception was assessed by determining joint position error (JPE). JPE can be used to measure the ability of the individual to reposition their head back to its neutral head position (NHP) or to a predefined target head position (THP).

    Measured: up to 6 weeks

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Neck Disability Index

    The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a patient-reported questionnaire used to assess pain and functional limitation in individuals with neck pain. It consists of 10 items, each scored from 0-5, with total scores converted into percentages. A score of 0% indicates no disability, while 100% indicates complete disability. The NDI is considered a reliable and valid tool for neck pain assessment, with high interclass correlation values (0.50-0.98). Disability levels are classified as: no disability (0-8%), mild (10-28%), moderate (30-48%), severe (50-64%), and complete disability (70-100%).

    Measured: up to 6 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted26 May 2026
  2. Study start10 Jan 2026
  3. Primary completion10 Apr 2026
  4. Study completion19 May 2026 (estimated)

Resources

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
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
40 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07606729
Sponsor's protocol ID
P.T.REC/012/006233
Status last verified
May 2026
First submitted
19 May 2026
Last updated
26 May 2026
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Pressure Biobfeedback and Hot Pack in people with Non-specific Chronic 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 6 inclusion and 6 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: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 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 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?

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: up to 6 weeks). 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 26 May 2026.

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