Effectiveness of a Home-based Cervical Motor Control Exercise Programme Versus Conventional Manua… (NCT07324811) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Effectiveness of a Home-based Cervical Motor Control Exercise Programme Versus Conventional Manual Therapy in Patients With Post-whiplash Neck Pain.
Spain80 participantsStarted 2025-01-10
Plain-language summary
Whiplash-associated disorders are a common cause of persistent neck pain following traffic accidents and are frequently associated with impairments in cervical motor control, pain, and functional disability. Therapeutic exercise aimed at restoring cervical motor control has shown promising results; however, evidence regarding the effectiveness of structured home-based exercise programs compared with conventional physiotherapy remains limited. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a home-based cervical motor control exercise program versus conventional physiotherapy in patients with whiplash-associated neck pain.
A randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups was conducted. Patients diagnosed with whiplash-associated neck pain were randomly assigned to either an experimental group performing a structured home-based cervical motor control exercise program or a control group receiving conventional physiotherapy based on manual therapy and cervical mobilization techniques. Outcome measures included pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale, functional disability measured with the Neck Disability Index, and active cervical range of motion. Assessments were performed at baseline and after an eight-week intervention period.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 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:
* Patients who met the following criteria were included:
* Age between 18 and 65 years.
* Clinical diagnosis of post-whiplash neck pain resulting from a traffic accident.
* Symptoms lasting longer than four weeks.
* Presence of neck pain with a minimum intensity of 3 points on the Visual Analogue Scale.
* Ability to understand and follow the instructions of the home exercise programme.
* Signed informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients with the following conditions were excluded:
* Signs of severe neurological compromise or significant structural cervical pathology (fractures, cervical instability, myelopathy).
* History of cervical surgery.
* Rheumatic, neurological, or systemic diseases that could influence the results.
* Previous physiotherapy treatment for the same episode in the three months prior to the study.
* Pregnancy or any medical contraindication for therapeutic exercise.
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.