Effects of Aerobic and Combined Exercise on Pain and Fatigue in Workers With Chronic Neck Pain (NCT07546838) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Effects of Aerobic and Combined Exercise on Pain and Fatigue in Workers With Chronic Neck Pain
Turkey (Türkiye)78 participantsStarted 2025-05-22
Plain-language summary
This randomized controlled trial investigated the acute effects of aerobic exercise (AE) and combined aerobic and cervical-upper extremity resistance exercise (CE) on the pressure pain threshold (PPT), pain perception, and fatigue in workers with high ergonomic risk and chronic non-specific neck pain (CNNP).
A total of 78 workers were randomly assigned to AE, CE, or control groups. The AE and CE groups completed single 40-minute sessions, while the control group received a 30-minute educational session with additional seated rest periods before and after the session. PPT was assessed bilaterally at multiple anatomical sites using a digital pressure algometer. Neck pain, overall pain perception, and fatigue were evaluated using a numerical rating scale (NRS) before, immediately after, and 20 minutes after exercise.
The study focused on exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) and was intended to inform brief, workplace-compatible exercise strategies to reduce pain, fatigue, and work-related musculoskeletal risks in this population.
Who can participate
Age range
20 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:
* Aged 20-65 years
* Diagnosed with chronic non-specific neck pain within the past year
* Neck pain intensity ≥4 on a numerical rating scale for at least 3 months
* Actively employed for at least 1 year in similar occupational conditions
* High ergonomic risk (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment - RULA score ≥3)
Exclusion Criteria:
* Neurological, cardiopulmonary, or rheumatological disorders
* History of cervical surgery or traumatic injury
* Specific cervical or lumbar pathology
* Whiplash injury, or any traumatic musculoskeletal injury
* Recent physical therapy or regular exercise in the past six months
* Neck pain unresponsive to conservative treatment
* Diagnosed thoracic outlet syndrome, rotator cuff pathology, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, or frozen shoulder
* Pregnancy
* Use of antidepressant medication
* Positive clinical tests (Spurling, cervical distraction, Valsalva, radial, ulnar, and median nerve tension tests)
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
Pressure Pain Threshold
Timeframe: Three time points: before the intervention (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), and 20 minutes after the intervention (T2).