Neck PainNCT07624188
Effect of Sensory Motor Training for Neck Muscles on Hand Grip Strength in Post-menopausal Fibromyalgia Neck Pain.
A study testing Neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises and Sensory motor neck training in people with Neck Pain, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
This study will be conducted to investigate the effect of sensory motor training for neck muscles on hand grip strength in post-menopausal fibromyalgia neck pain. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 50 to 60 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Neck Pain
- What is being tested?
- Neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises and Sensory motor neck training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- Jun 2026to 30 Oct 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 50 to 60 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Fifty post-menopausal women clinically diagnosed with fibromyalgia neck pain for more than 3 months.
- Their age will be ranged from 50-60 years old.
- Their body mass index (BMI) will be less than 30 kg/m².
- Their hand grip strength is less than 20 kg for dominant hand as measured by hand-held dynamometer.
- Their neck pain score is ≥ 4 as measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS).
- The right hand is the dominant for all of them.
Who cannot join
- Participants will be excluded from the study if they have:
- Recent cervical trauma or surgery.
- Neurological disorders.
- Diabetes mellitus.
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
This study will be conducted to investigate the effect of sensory motor training for neck muscles on hand grip strength in post-menopausal fibromyalgia neck pain.
Read the detailed description
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease accompanied by widespread body pain, heightened tenderness in specific anatomical regions, fatigue, sleep disorders, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Prevalence of fibromyalgia is approximately 2-4% in the general population. It predominantly affects 80-90% of women and typically peaks between the ages of 50 and 60.
Post-menopausal fibromyalgia may be attributed to hormonal changes, particularly the decline in estrogen, which plays a role in pain modulation, mood regulation and sleep quality. This hormonal shift, combined with age-related changes in the central nervous system, altered cortisol levels, increased prevalence of psychological comorbidities such as anxiety and depression may contribute to the development or worsening of fibromyalgia symptoms in post-menopausal women.
Neck pain affects about 70-90% of fibromyalgia patients. It can lead to muscle tension, nerve compression, and altered neuromuscular control, particularly affecting the cervical spine and upper limb function. These changes may impair motor output and reduce hand grip strength.
Improving hand grip strength can contribute to better quality of life, functional independence, and may reduce reliance on medication.
Sensory motor training is an emerging rehabilitation approach designed to improve the interaction between sensory input and motor output. It enhances proprioception, coordination, and motor control, which are often impaired in patients with fibromyalgia due to central sensitization and neuromuscular dysfunction.
Sensory motor neck training using laser pointer technique enhances cervical proprioception and motor control in patients with neck pain by providing visual feedback to guide accurate head movements.
So, this study will be conducted to provide new evidences and information about the effect of sensory motor training on hand grip strength in post-menopausal fibromyalgia neck pain to manage this problem upon them and add new information to the field of physical therapy.
- Conditions
- Neck Pain
- Being tested
- Neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises, Sensory motor neck training
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercisesOther
The participants will receive neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises in the form of median, radial and ulnar nerve gliding exercises for 50 minutes/session (for 15 repetitions, each repetition held for 1-2 minutes with 30 seconds rest intervals between each repetition)
Sensory motor neck trainingOther
The participants will perform sensory motor neck training by using laser pointer exercise for 15 minutes/session, 3times/ week for four weeks.
- The laser pointer exercise will be positioned exactly in the center of the participants' forehead and parallel to the ground.
- Each participant will assume sitting position on comfortable chair at 90cm (about 3 feet) away from the target board (circles shapes), their knees and hips at 90°, their pelvis and low back resting firmly against the back of a chair and their hands resting on their knees.
- Therapist will be behind the patient and will give her instructions.
- Align the laser so that it will point straight at the center of the target when the head is in a neutral position
- at 90 cm away from the target board.
- The patient will move the head (flexion/extension/rotation), then attempts to return to the starting position
- Five repetitions will be performed for each movement direction
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises | Active comparator | The participants will receive neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises in the form of median, radial and ulnar nerve gliding exercises for 50 minutes/session. Receives: Other: Neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises |
| Sensory motor neck training and neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises | Experimental | The participants will receive sensory motor neck training using laser pointer technique for 15 minutes/session, 3 times/week for four weeks in addition to neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises in the form of median, radial and ulnar nerve gliding exercises for 50 minutes/session. Receives: Other: Neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises; Other: Sensory motor neck training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Assessment of hand grip strength
The hand-held dynamometer (Hoggan Health Industries, Salt Lake City, USA) is an enclosed hydraulic system recording the applied strength in kilograms.
Hand grip strength will be measured for all participants in both groups before and after the end of the study.
Each participant in both groups will be asked to place hand-held dynamometer in her hand, with her arm beside the trunk, the shoulder in a neutral position, the elbow flexed at 90° and to pull the metal bar with her fingers. This procedure will be conducted bilaterally. The mean of three trials for each side (with 3 min resting periods between repetitions to avoid fatigue) will be calculated
Measured: 4 weeks
Assessment of Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH)
This 30-item tool evaluates symptoms along with physical function, specifically focusing on the level of disability, and offers five response options for each item. Each item offers five response options, spanning from 1, indicating "no difficulty or symptoms present," to 5, indicating "incapable of participating in an activity or experiencing very severe symptoms." Greater score on the DASH indicates increased levels of disability.
The DASH score is used to assess upper limb disability, with higher scores indicating greater impairment. A score of 0 reflects no disability, 1-20 indicates mild disability, 21-40 is moderate, 41-60 is severe, and 61-100 represents very severe disability.
Measured: 4 weeks
Assessment of neck pressure pain threshold
The force dial FDK 20 algometer is a handheld device used to assess the pressure pain threshold (PPT), which is the minimum amount of pressure that induces a sensation of pain. It provides an objective measure of mechanical pain sensitivity in neck.
Each participant will be asked to assume upright position with feet flat, arms relaxed, and neck in a neutral position.
Pressure will be applied perpendicularly to the site of pain at a constant rate of 1 kg/cm² per second.
Each participant will be instructed to indicate when the sensation changed from pressure to the first feeling of pain.
Three readings will be taken at each site with 30-60 seconds rest between trials, and the average will be recorded as the final PPT value
Measured: 4 weeks
Assessment of pain intensity
The visual analogue scale will be used to assess pain intensity. It is a subjective method to determine pain intensity. The scale consists of a 10-centimeter horizontal line, with the left end marked as "no pain" (0) and the right end marked as "worst possible pain" (10).
Measured: 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Jun 2026
- Study startJun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion15 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Oct 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.
- 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
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Esraa Fikry Massoud, Cairo University
- Investigators
- Mohamed Kaddah, Professor, Study director, Cairo UniversityAzza Nashed, Professor, Study chair, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07624188
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- P.T.REC/012/00643
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 28 May 2026
- Last updated
- 3 Jun 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 3 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Sensory Motor Training for Neck Muscles on Hand Grip Strength in Post-menopausal Fibromyalgia Neck Pain.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07624188
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- P.T.REC/012/00643
- Conditions
- Neck Pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 15 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Jun 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 will be conducted to investigate the effect of sensory motor training for neck muscles on hand grip strength in post-menopausal fibromyalgia neck pain.
Detailed description
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease accompanied by widespread body pain, heightened tenderness in specific anatomical regions, fatigue, sleep disorders, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Prevalence of fibromyalgia is approximately 2-4% in the general population. It predominantly affects 80-90% of women and typically peaks between the ages of 50 and 60.
Post-menopausal fibromyalgia may be attributed to hormonal changes, particularly the decline in estrogen, which plays a role in pain modulation, mood regulation and sleep quality. This hormonal shift, combined with age-related changes in the central nervous system, altered cortisol levels, increased prevalence of psychological comorbidities such as anxiety and depression may contribute to the development or worsening of fibromyalgia symptoms in post-menopausal women.
Neck pain affects about 70-90% of fibromyalgia patients. It can lead to muscle tension, nerve compression, and altered neuromuscular control, particularly affecting the cervical spine and upper limb function. These changes may impair motor output and reduce hand grip strength.
Improving hand grip strength can contribute to better quality of life, functional independence, and may reduce reliance on medication.
Sensory motor training is an emerging rehabilitation approach designed to improve the interaction between sensory input and motor output. It enhances proprioception, coordination, and motor control, which are often impaired in patients with fibromyalgia due to central sensitization and neuromuscular dysfunction.
Sensory motor neck training using laser pointer technique enhances cervical proprioception and motor control in patients with neck pain by providing visual feedback to guide accurate head movements.
So, this study will be conducted to provide new evidences and information about the effect of sensory motor training on hand grip strength in post-menopausal fibromyalgia neck pain to manage this problem upon them and add new information to the field of physical therapy.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises | Active comparator | Other: Neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercisesThe participants will receive neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises in the form of median, radial and ulnar nerve gliding exercises for 50 minutes/session. |
| Sensory motor neck training and neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises | Experimental | Other: Neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises, Other: Sensory motor neck trainingThe participants will receive sensory motor neck training using laser pointer technique for 15 minutes/session, 3 times/week for four weeks in addition to neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises in the form of median, radial and ulnar nerve gliding exercises for 50 minutes/session. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 50 to 60 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Fifty post-menopausal women clinically diagnosed with fibromyalgia neck pain for more than 3 months.
- Their age will be ranged from 50-60 years old.
- Their body mass index (BMI) will be less than 30 kg/m².
- Their hand grip strength is less than 20 kg for dominant hand as measured by hand-held dynamometer.
- Their neck pain score is ≥ 4 as measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS).
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Participants will be excluded from the study if they have:
- Recent cervical trauma or surgery.
- Neurological disorders.
- Diabetes mellitus.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercisesThe participants will receive neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises in the form of median, radial and ulnar nerve gliding exercises for 50 minutes/session (for 15 repetitions, each repetition held for 1-2 minutes with 30 seconds rest intervals between each repetition) | Other | Neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises, Sensory motor neck training and neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises |
| Sensory motor neck trainingThe participants will perform sensory motor neck training by using laser pointer exercise for 15 minutes/session, 3times/ week for four weeks. * The laser pointer exercise will be positioned exactly in the center of the participants' forehead and parallel to the ground. * Each participant will assume sitting position on comfortable chair at 90cm (about 3 feet) away from the target board (circles shapes), their knees and hips at 90°, their pelvis and low back resting firmly against the back of a chair and their hands resting on their knees. * Therapist will be behind the patient and will give her instructions. * Align the laser so that it will point straight at the center of the target when the head is in a neutral position * at 90 cm away from the target board. * The patient will move the head (flexion/extension/rotation), then attempts to return to the starting position * Five repetitions will be performed for each movement direction | Other | Sensory motor neck training and neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises |
Primary outcome
Assessment of hand grip strength
Time frame: 4 weeks
The hand-held dynamometer (Hoggan Health Industries, Salt Lake City, USA) is an enclosed hydraulic system recording the applied strength in kilograms. Hand grip strength will be measured for all participants in both groups before and after the end of the study. Each participant in both groups will be asked to place hand-held dynamometer in her hand, with her arm beside the trunk, the shoulder in a neutral position, the elbow flexed at 90° and to pull the metal bar with her fingers. This procedure will be conducted bilaterally. The mean of three trials for each side (with 3 min resting periods between repetitions to avoid fatigue) will be calculated
Assessment of Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH)
Time frame: 4 weeks
This 30-item tool evaluates symptoms along with physical function, specifically focusing on the level of disability, and offers five response options for each item. Each item offers five response options, spanning from 1, indicating "no difficulty or symptoms present," to 5, indicating "incapable of participating in an activity or experiencing very severe symptoms." Greater score on the DASH indicates increased levels of disability. The DASH score is used to assess upper limb disability, with higher scores indicating greater impairment. A score of 0 reflects no disability, 1-20 indicates mild disability, 21-40 is moderate, 41-60 is severe, and 61-100 represents very severe disability.
Assessment of neck pressure pain threshold
Time frame: 4 weeks
The force dial FDK 20 algometer is a handheld device used to assess the pressure pain threshold (PPT), which is the minimum amount of pressure that induces a sensation of pain. It provides an objective measure of mechanical pain sensitivity in neck. Each participant will be asked to assume upright position with feet flat, arms relaxed, and neck in a neutral position. Pressure will be applied perpendicularly to the site of pain at a constant rate of 1 kg/cm² per second. Each participant will be instructed to indicate when the sensation changed from pressure to the first feeling of pain. Three readings will be taken at each site with 30-60 seconds rest between trials, and the average will be recorded as the final PPT value
Assessment of pain intensity
Time frame: 4 weeks
The visual analogue scale will be used to assess pain intensity. It is a subjective method to determine pain intensity. The scale consists of a 10-centimeter horizontal line, with the left end marked as "no pain" (0) and the right end marked as "worst possible pain" (10).
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 3 Jun 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.
Mohamed Kaddah, Professor study director
Cairo University
Azza Nashed, Professor study chair
Cairo 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 Neuro dynamic nerve gliding exercises and Sensory motor neck training in people with 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 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Jun 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?
Contact Esraa Massoud, Master (01555358802, fikryesraa148@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Assessment of hand grip strength (time frame: 4 weeks). 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 3 Jun 2026.