Effect of Attentional Focus Order in Home Exercise for Neck Pain (NCT07102199) | Clinical Trial Compass
Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable
Effect of Attentional Focus Order in Home Exercise for Neck Pain
Turkey (Türkiye)39 participantsStarted 2025-05-01
Plain-language summary
According to the International Association for the Study of Pain's 2017 terminology, neck pain is described as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience originating in the cervical region and potentially radiating toward the scapular area, typically linked to actual or potential tissue injury. Although research on how attentional focus instructions influence postural control remains limited, existing findings suggest that the sequence in which these instructions are delivered can impact sensory processing during postural control assessments. These observations raise compelling questions about the potential benefits of using attentional focus strategies in a structured, sequential manner during neck pain treatment. To date, however, no study has investigated how varying the order of attentional focus cues within a home exercise program affects individuals with non-specific neck pain. This study aimed to fill that gap by evaluating the clinical effectiveness of a home-based exercise protocol utilizing attentional focus instructions in different sequences. The primary outcome was disability level, measured by the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Secondary outcomes included pain intensity assessed via the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), craniovertebral angle (CVA) via photogrammetry, pressure pain threshold (PPT), cervical joint range of motion, dizziness-related disability (Dizziness Handicap Inventory), and the endurance of neck flexor and extensor muscles.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 40 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Aged between 18 and 40 years
* A craniovertebral angle of 53 degrees or less
* A Visual Analog Scale score greater than 3 for pain in the neck and shoulder areas
* Experiencing head and neck pain for a duration exceeding three months
* A Neck Disability Index score ranging from 5 to 24
* A positive result on the cervical flexion-rotation test
* A body mass index within the range of 18.5 to 25 kg/m²
* No history of injury to the neck, trunk, or upper and lower extremities in the past six months
Exclusion Criteria:
* A positive result on the Spurling test
* Reduced or absent reflex responses in the upper extremities,
* Referred pain scoring greater than 7 on the Visual Analog Scale in the affected dermatome
* Diagnosis of cervical spinal stenosis
* Diagnosis of an autoimmune disorder
* Previous surgical intervention in the cervical or shoulder region
* A positive result on the Vertebrobasilar insufficiency test
* Presence of any musculoskeletal deformity or abnormality
* Inability to carry out functional activities due to visual, auditory, vestibular, or neurological impairments
* Neck pain associated with malignancy or structural abnormalities
* Clinical presentation consistent with a capsular pattern suggestive of arthritis, or the presence of a severe psychological disorder
* Current pregnancy
* Participation in any form of exercise-based treatment or physiotherapy within the last three months
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Timeframe: The assessment will be performed at two time points: baseline and 4 weeks after the intervention.