Non-Specific Neck StrainNCT07751601
Comparison of Manipulation, Mobilization, and Exercise for Nonspecific Neck Tension
A study testing Manipulation and Exercise, Mobilization and Exercise and Standardized Exercise Program in people with Non-Specific Neck Strain and Neck Pain Treatment, run by Istanbul Rumeli University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The primary purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the effects of different physiotherapy approaches, such as manipulation, mobilization, and neck exercises, on pain, range of motion, neck functionality, quality of life, muscle tightness, and psychological status in individuals with non-specific neck… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Non-Specific Neck Strain, Neck Pain Treatment
- What is being tested?
- Manipulation and Exercise, Mobilization and Exercise and Standardized Exercise Program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 25 Nov 2025to 18 Jun 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- 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
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- - Non-specific neck muscle tension
- Being between 18-30 years of age
- Not having a chronic disease
- Not having undergone any surgery,
- Having limited mobility in the cervical region
- Having at least 2 pains according to the Visual Analog Scale at rest
- Individuals with subacute and chronic non-specific neck pain were included in this study
- Having a negative vertebrobasilar artery test
Who cannot join
- -Having a chronic systemic disease
- Having cervical straightening and cervical herniation (with a diagnosis and report)
- Having undergone surgery
- Having instability in the cervical joints and trauma within the last year
- Having severe osteoporosis
- Having neurological findings
- Having received physical therapy within the last 6 months
- Having vertigo
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Evaluation of the Effects of Manipulation, Mobilization, and Neck Exercises in Individuals With Nonspecific Neck Tension
The primary purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the effects of different physiotherapy approaches, such as manipulation, mobilization, and neck exercises, on pain, range of motion, neck functionality, quality of life, muscle tightness, and psychological status in individuals with non-specific neck tension. Throughout the study, the clinical, physical, and myofascial parameters, as well as the psychological statuses of the patients, were recorded through detailed evaluations conducted before and after the treatment, within the framework of a treatment program planned as 2 sessions per week for a total of 8 sessions over 4 weeks.
Read the detailed description
This study is designed to investigate the clinical, physical, psychological, and myofascial outcomes of manual therapy techniques (manipulation and mobilization) and neck exercises in individuals experiencing non-specific neck tension using a rigorous and multifaceted methodology.
According to the study protocol, participants receive a standardized intervention program consisting of 2 sessions per week for a period of 4 weeks, totaling 8 sessions. During the data collection process of the study, the clinical and functional status of the patients are evaluated using comprehensive scales and standard measurement tools. In this context, pain severity is assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), range of motion with a goniometer, neck functionality with the Copenhagen Neck Disability Index, quality of life with the SF-36 scale, and anxiety-depression statuses using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.
Furthermore, during the physical and myofascial examination phase, muscle tightness, palpation findings, and muscle restriction conditions are evaluated and recorded with precision. All of these clinical parameters, myofascial findings, and measurements are repeated before and after the treatment and subjected to comparative statistical analyses to objectively and scientifically demonstrate the effectiveness of the applied physiotherapy approaches.
- Conditions
- Non-Specific Neck Strain, Neck Pain Treatment
- Being tested
- Manipulation and Exercise, Mobilization and Exercise, Standardized Exercise Program
- Keywords
- Non-Specific Neck Strain, cervical exercise, manipulation, boyun ağrısı, cervical region
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Manipulation and ExerciseOther
Participants undergo cervical (general, C1) and thoracic manipulation, followed by a standardized exercise program including neck range of motion exercises (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation), pectoral and trapezius stretching, and chin tucks.
Mobilization and ExerciseOther
Participants undergo cervical (C2-C4) and thoracic mobilization, traction with rotation, and gliding techniques (anterior-posterior/lateral), followed by the same standardized exercise program as mentioned above (neck ROM, stretching, chin tucks).
Standardized Exercise ProgramBehavioural
Participants perform only the standardized exercise program consisting of neck range of motion exercises (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation), pectoral and trapezius stretching, and chin tuck exercises.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Manipulation and Exercise Group | Active comparator | Participants in this group receive a comprehensive intervention consisting of cervical manipulation (general cervical, C1), and thoracic manipulation, combined with a standardized exercise program. The exercise program includes neck flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation, pectoral and trapezius stretching, and chin tuck exercises. Receives: Other: Manipulation and Exercise |
| Mobilization and Exercise Group | Active comparator | Participants in this group receive a comprehensive intervention consisting of cervical mobilization (C2-C4 levels), thoracic mobilization, traction with rotation, and anterior-posterior/lateral gliding techniques, combined with the same standardized exercise program as the other groups. The exercise program includes neck flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation, pectoral and trapezius stretching, and chin tuck exercises. Receives: Other: Mobilization and Exercise |
| Exercise Only Group | Active comparator | Participants in this group receive only the standardized exercise program. This program includes neck flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation, pectoral and trapezius stretching, and chin tuck exercises. Receives: Behavioral: Standardized Exercise Program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Visual Analog Scale
Measurement of pain intensity.
Measured: At baseline and the 4-week treatment period.
Secondary outcomes (1)
Goniometric Measurement (ROM)
Measurement of cervical range of motion (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation) using a goniometer.
Measured: At baseline and the 4-week treatment period.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Aug 2026
- Study start25 Nov 2025
- Primary completion22 May 2026
- Study completion18 Jun 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Non-Specific Neck StrainStudies 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
- Model description
- This is a parallel-group study with three arms. Participants are randomly assigned to one of the following groups: Group 1 receives manipulation and exercise; Group 2 receives mobilization and exercise; and Group 3 (control group) receives only exercise.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Rumeli University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Zeynep Sude ÇOLAK, Istanbul Rumeli University
- Investigators
- Gamze BAŞKENT, Dr, Study director, Istanbul Rumeli University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07751601
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRU-ZSC-FTR-01
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 26 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 7 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) are not shared publicly in order to protect participant confidentiality and comply with the data retention policies specified in the ethics committee approval form.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluation of the Effects of Manipulation, Mobilization, and Neck Exercises in Individuals With Nonspecific Neck Tension
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07751601
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRU-ZSC-FTR-01
- Conditions
- Non-Specific Neck Strain, Neck Pain Treatment
- Keywords
- Non-Specific Neck Strain, cervical exercise, manipulation, boyun ağrısı, cervical region
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Rumeli UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 25 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 22 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 18 Jun 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 7 Aug 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 primary purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the effects of different physiotherapy approaches, such as manipulation, mobilization, and neck exercises, on pain, range of motion, neck functionality, quality of life, muscle tightness, and psychological status in individuals with non-specific neck tension. Throughout the study, the clinical, physical, and myofascial parameters, as well as the psychological statuses of the patients, were recorded through detailed evaluations conducted before and after the treatment, within the framework of a treatment program planned as 2 sessions per week for a total of 8 sessions over 4 weeks.
Detailed description
This study is designed to investigate the clinical, physical, psychological, and myofascial outcomes of manual therapy techniques (manipulation and mobilization) and neck exercises in individuals experiencing non-specific neck tension using a rigorous and multifaceted methodology.
According to the study protocol, participants receive a standardized intervention program consisting of 2 sessions per week for a period of 4 weeks, totaling 8 sessions. During the data collection process of the study, the clinical and functional status of the patients are evaluated using comprehensive scales and standard measurement tools. In this context, pain severity is assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), range of motion with a goniometer, neck functionality with the Copenhagen Neck Disability Index, quality of life with the SF-36 scale, and anxiety-depression statuses using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.
Furthermore, during the physical and myofascial examination phase, muscle tightness, palpation findings, and muscle restriction conditions are evaluated and recorded with precision. All of these clinical parameters, myofascial findings, and measurements are repeated before and after the treatment and subjected to comparative statistical analyses to objectively and scientifically demonstrate the effectiveness of the applied physiotherapy approaches.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- This is a parallel-group study with three arms. Participants are randomly assigned to one of the following groups: Group 1 receives manipulation and exercise; Group 2 receives mobilization and exercise; and Group 3 (control group) receives only exercise.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Manipulation and Exercise Group | Active comparator | Other: Manipulation and ExerciseParticipants in this group receive a comprehensive intervention consisting of cervical manipulation (general cervical, C1), and thoracic manipulation, combined with a standardized exercise program. The exercise program includes neck flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation, pectoral and trapezius stretching, and chin tuck exercises. |
| Mobilization and Exercise Group | Active comparator | Other: Mobilization and ExerciseParticipants in this group receive a comprehensive intervention consisting of cervical mobilization (C2-C4 levels), thoracic mobilization, traction with rotation, and anterior-posterior/lateral gliding techniques, combined with the same standardized exercise program as the other groups. The exercise program includes neck flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation, pectoral and trapezius stretching, and chin tuck exercises. |
| Exercise Only Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Standardized Exercise ProgramParticipants in this group receive only the standardized exercise program. This program includes neck flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation, pectoral and trapezius stretching, and chin tuck exercises. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- - Non-specific neck muscle tension
- Being between 18-30 years of age
- Not having a chronic disease
- Not having undergone any surgery,
- Having limited mobility in the cervical region
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- -Having a chronic systemic disease
- Having cervical straightening and cervical herniation (with a diagnosis and report)
- Having undergone surgery
- Having instability in the cervical joints and trauma within the last year
- Having severe osteoporosis
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Manipulation and ExerciseParticipants undergo cervical (general, C1) and thoracic manipulation, followed by a standardized exercise program including neck range of motion exercises (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation), pectoral and trapezius stretching, and chin tucks. | Other | Manipulation and Exercise Group |
| Mobilization and ExerciseParticipants undergo cervical (C2-C4) and thoracic mobilization, traction with rotation, and gliding techniques (anterior-posterior/lateral), followed by the same standardized exercise program as mentioned above (neck ROM, stretching, chin tucks). | Other | Mobilization and Exercise Group |
| Standardized Exercise ProgramParticipants perform only the standardized exercise program consisting of neck range of motion exercises (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation), pectoral and trapezius stretching, and chin tuck exercises. | Behavioural | Exercise Only Group |
Primary outcome
Visual Analog Scale
Time frame: At baseline and the 4-week treatment period.
Measurement of pain intensity.
1 secondary outcome
Goniometric Measurement (ROM)
Time frame: At baseline and the 4-week treatment period.
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 7 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) are not shared publicly in order to protect participant confidentiality and comply with the data retention policies specified in the ethics committee approval form.
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.
Gamze BAŞKENT, Dr study director
Istanbul Rumeli 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 Manipulation and Exercise, Mobilization and Exercise and Standardized Exercise Program in people with Non-Specific Neck Strain and Neck Pain Treatment, 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 8 inclusion and 8 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 7 Aug 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?
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?
Visual Analog Scale (time frame: At baseline and the 4-week treatment period.). 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 Aug 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.