Non-specific Chronic Neck PainMI-SMR-NSCNPNCT07883915
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Motor Imagery Exercises and Suboccipital Myofascial Release Techniques in Nonspecific Chronic Neck Pain
A study testing Active Exercise, Motor Imagery and Suboccipital Myofascial Release in people with Non-specific Chronic Neck Pain, run by Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The aim of this three-group randomized controlled study is to investigate the effectiveness of MI and SMR interventions on pain, proprioception, quality of life, disability, and ROM parameters in individuals aged 18-50 with NSCNP. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 50 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Non-specific Chronic Neck Pain
- What is being tested?
- Active Exercise, Motor Imagery and Suboccipital Myofascial Release
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 51 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- Nov 2026to Apr 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
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 50 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Having an MIQ-3 score that is at most two standard deviations above or below the mean,
- Having a Dizziness Handicap Inventory score below 20,
- Having a diagnosis of NSCNP
Who cannot join
- Wiplash,
- Pregnancy,
- Neoplasia,
- Infectious or inflammatory disorders,
- Specific neck pain resulting from traumatic events involving bone fractures or neck injuries,
- Osteoarthritic changes,
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- Positive neurological signs or evidence of spinal compression,
- Neck pain associated with vertigo,
- Cervical surgeries,
- Acute headache,
- Headaches occurring prior to the onset of neck pain and headaches of non-cervical origin
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Ankara Bilkent City Hospital Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital
Ankara, Çankaya
About this study
Official title: Comparison of the Effectiveness of Motor Imagery Exercises and Suboccipital Myofascial Release Techniques on Pain, Proprioception, and Kinesiophobia in Nonspecific Chronic Neck Pain
The aim of this three-group randomized controlled study is to investigate the effectiveness of MI and SMR interventions on pain, proprioception, quality of life, disability, and ROM parameters in individuals aged 18-50 with NSCNP.
The primary research questions it seeks to answer are as follows:
Do MI exercises, when applied in addition to active exercise, lead to changes in pain, proprioception, and kinesiophobia in individuals with NSCNP? Does the suboccipital myofascial release technique, when applied in addition to active exercise, lead to changes in pain, proprioception, and kinesiophobia in individuals with NSCNP? Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups to compare the MI and SMR techniques.
Read the detailed description
Proprioception is considered a crucial element in the seamless execution of pain-free movement. In cases of chronic pain, proprioceptive ability is compromised due to altered sensorimotor control at various levels of pain transmission. Motor imagery (MI) is utilized to enhance motor performance and facilitate the learning of motor tasks, while suboccipital myofascial release (SMR) improves neck-related disability and overall pain. However, evidence regarding the efficacy of MI and SMR techniques in the management of non-specific neck pain (NSCNP) remains limited.
The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of MI exercises and the SMR technique in the management of NSCNP through a multifaceted evaluation, and to expand the range of effective, sustainable, and accessible conservative treatment alternatives. A dual inclinometer, goniometer, and algometer will be employed in the study. Participants will undergo assessments including proprioception, pressure pain threshold, and neck range of motion (ROM).
The data obtained will shed light on the efficacy of these interventions regarding parameters such as pain intensity, disability, and kinesiophobia, potentially serving as foundational data for the future development of diagnostic, therapeutic, and clinical processes in this field.
- Conditions
- Non-specific Chronic Neck Pain
- Being tested
- Active Exercise, Motor Imagery, Suboccipital Myofascial Release
- Keywords
- nscnp, proprioception, pain management, motor imagery, suboccipital myofascial release
- Medical subject headings
- Agnosia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Active ExerciseOther
Active exercises will consist of four cervical movements involving the maintenance of craniocervical flexion, and all of these exercises will be performed in a single session. The program will continue for six weeks.
Motor ImageryOther
Motor imagery exercises are structured in three stages. First stage: performing a guided mental task Second stage: internal visual imagery Third stage: external visual imagery The program will last for six weeks.
Suboccipital Myofascial ReleaseOther
It will be performed by the therapist while the participant is in the supine position. The therapist will apply pressure to the suboccipital region until a reduction in muscle tone is detected.
The procedure will be continued for six weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1: Control / Active Exercise Group | Active comparator | An active exercise program will be implemented. Receives: Other: Active Exercise |
| Group 2: Active Exercise + Motor Imagery Group | Experimental | In addition to active exercise, motor imagery exercises will be administered. Receives: Other: Active Exercise; Other: Motor Imagery |
| Group 2: Active Exercise + Suboccipital Myofascial Release Group | Experimental | In addition to active exercise, the suboccipital myofascial release technique will be applied. Receives: Other: Active Exercise; Other: Suboccipital Myofascial Release |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Proprioception
Measurement will be performed using a dual inclinometer. Joint position sense error will be evaluated.
Measured: baseline, six weeks
Pain Pressure Threshold
The pressure pain threshold will be assessed using an algometer.
Measured: baseline, six weeks
Range of Motion (ROM)
ROM will be assessed using a goniometer.
Measured: baseline, six weeks
Secondary outcomes (4)
Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia for Kinesiophobia
Measured: baseline, six weeks
SF-36 for Quality of Life
Measured: baseline, six weeks
Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale for Neck Disability
Measured: baseline, six weeks
Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire for Pain Intensity
Measured: baseline, six weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Oct 2026
- Study startNov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionJan 2028 (estimated)
- Study completionApr 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Non-specific Chronic 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 51 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Bahar Anaforoglu, Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07883915
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AnkaraYBU_NSCNP
- Acronym
- MI-SMR-NSCNP
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 14 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No