Cervical Proprioceptive Error in Healthy Young IndividualsNCT06559397
Proprioceptive Puzzle: Effects on Quantitative Sensory Tests and Body Awareness
An observational study of Cervical Proprioceptive Error in Healthy Young Individuals, run by Nagihan Acet at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Background: Cervical proprioception, referring to the awareness of the head's position in space, plays a crucial role in maintaining postural control and preventing musculoskeletal injuries. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Cervical Proprioceptive Error in Healthy Young Individuals
- What is being tested?
- Assessment of cervical proprioception
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2024to 1 Feb 2025
- Phase
- Observational
- 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 25 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: The study involves healthy young participants aged between 18 and 25 years. The participants will be divided into two groups based on the presence of cervical proprioceptive deviation (greater than 5°) as measured by the 'head position error test' using a CROM device.
Who may be able to join
- Being between 18-25 years old
Who cannot join
- History of cervical spine injuries or disorders
- Chronic pain conditions or diagnosed musculoskeletal disorders
- Previous neck or spine surgeries
- Neurological or psychiatric conditions affecting proprioception or pain perception
- Use of medications influencing pain sensitivity or proprioception
- Pregnancy
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Proprioceptive Puzzle: The Effect of Cervical Proprioceptive Errors on Quantitative Sensory Tests and Body Awareness in Young Adults
Background: Cervical proprioception, referring to the awareness of the head's position in space, plays a crucial role in maintaining postural control and preventing musculoskeletal injuries. While previous research has established the importance of cervical proprioception in motor function, its specific impact on body awareness and pain-related aspects remains less explored, particularly in healthy young individuals.
Aim: This prospective cross-sectional study aims to investigate the impact of cervical proprioceptive error on body awareness, pressure pain threshold, pressure pain tolerance, conditioned pain modulation, and temporal summation in healthy young individuals.
Methods: In asymptomatic participants, cervical proprioception will be assessed using the 'head position error test' in both right and left rotation directions with the CROM device. Participants will be then divided into two groups based on the presence of proprioceptive deviation (>5°). Body awareness will beassessed using the 'Body Awareness Questionnaire,' while pressure pain threshold, pain tolerance, and temporal summation will be measured bilaterally with an algometer device (2 cm lateral to the C2 and C7 spinal processes, midpoint of the upper part of the trapezius, and over the temporomandibular joint) in both groups. Subsequently, the two groups will be compared using independent samples t-tests.
Read the detailed description
Cervical proprioception, which refers to the awareness of the head's position in space, is a fundamental component of postural control and the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries. This sense is mediated by sensory receptors located in the muscles, joints, and skin of the cervical spine, providing critical feedback for maintaining balance and coordinating movements. Previous studies have extensively documented the role of cervical proprioception in motor function, highlighting its importance in activities that require precise head and neck movements.
Despite these findings, there is a gap in the literature regarding the specific impact of cervical proprioception on body awareness and pain-related parameters in healthy individuals. Body awareness, or the conscious perception of body position and movement, is essential for efficient motor control and overall well-being. Additionally, understanding how proprioceptive errors in the cervical region might influence pain perception could provide insights into mechanisms underlying chronic pain conditions.
The primary aim of this prospective cross-sectional study is to investigate the impact of cervical proprioceptive error on body awareness, pressure pain threshold, pressure pain tolerance, conditioned pain modulation, and temporal summation in asymptomatic young individuals.
- Being tested
- Assessment of cervical proprioception
- Keywords
- Cervical proprioception, Joint position sense, Pain, Temporal summation, Mechanosensitivity, Conditioned pain modulation
- Medical subject headings
- Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Assessment of cervical proprioceptionOther
Cervical proprioception will be assessed using the 'head position error test' in both right and left rotation directions with the CROM device. Participants will be then divided into two groups based on the presence of proprioceptive errors (>5°).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Proprioceptive deficit positive group | This group consists of young participants who exhibit a proprioceptive error in their cervical proprioception test. Proprioceptive error refers to an inaccurate perception of the head's position in space. In this study, participants with a deviation greater than 5 degrees during the test will be classified into this group. Receives: Other: Assessment of cervical proprioception | |
| Proprioceptive deficit negative goup | This group includes young participants who do not show any proprioceptive error in the cervical proprioception test. These participants accurately perceive the position of their head and thus do not have a proprioceptive deficit (less than 5 degrees) Receives: Other: Assessment of cervical proprioception |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Quantitative sensory testing
Quantitative sensory testing including pain threshold, tolerance, conditioned pain modulation, and temporal summation will be assessed by pressure algometer. The "pain threshold" is the point at which a person first feels pain, the "pain tolerance" is the last point that a person can tolerate, and the "temporal summation" is the first painful threshold evaluated after 10 repeats of the pain threshold. Conditioned pain modulation is the modulation of pain perception under varying conditions. In the current study, a cold stimulus will be used.
Measured: Immediately after the intervention
Assessment of body awareness
Body awareness will be assessed through a questionnaire, consisting of 18 items, divided into 4 subgroups aimed at determining the sensitivity level of normal or abnormal body composition (1. Changes during the body process, 2. Sleep-wake cycle, 3. Estimation of disease onset, 4. Prediction of bodily reactions). Participants are asked to rate each item on a scale of 1 to 7. The overall score is calculated, and a higher score indicates better body awareness. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire are reported to be high.
Measured: Immediately after the intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 Aug 2024
- Study start1 Sep 2024
- Primary completion1 Jan 2025
- Study completion1 Feb 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (10)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Cervical Proprioceptive Error in Healthy Young IndividualsStudies 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
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Nagihan Acet
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Nagihan Acet, Atılım University
- Investigators
- Nagihan Acet, Principal investigator, Atılım University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06559397
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AtılımU-2
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 14 Aug 2024
- Last updated
- 25 Nov 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Revel M, Andre-Deshays C, Minguet M. Cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility in patients with cervical pain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1991 Apr;72(5):288-91.
PubMed 2009044Kulkarni V, Chandy MJ, Babu KS. Quantitative study of muscle spindles in suboccipital muscles of human foetuses. Neurol India. 2001 Dec;49(4):355-9.
PubMed 11799407Peng B, Yang L, Li Y, Liu T, Liu Y. Cervical Proprioception Impairment in Neck Pain-Pathophysiology, Clinical Evaluation, and Management: A Narrative Review. Pain Ther. 2021 Jun;10(1):143-164. doi: 10.1007/s40122-020-00230-z. Epub 2021 Jan 12.
PubMed 33464539Mehling WE, Gopisetty V, Daubenmier J, Price CJ, Hecht FM, Stewart A. Body awareness: construct and self-report measures. PLoS One. 2009;4(5):e5614. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005614. Epub 2009 May 19.
PubMed 19440300Yang J, Lee B, Kim C. Changes in proprioception and pain in patients with neck pain after upper thoracic manipulation. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015 Mar;27(3):795-8. doi: 10.1589/jpts.27.795. Epub 2015 Mar 31.
PubMed 25931733Law EY, Chiu TT. Measurement of cervical range of motion (CROM) by electronic CROM goniometer: a test of reliability and validity. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2013;26(2):141-8. doi: 10.3233/BMR-2012-00358.
PubMed 23640315Walton DM, Macdermid JC, Nielson W, Teasell RW, Chiasson M, Brown L. Reliability, standard error, and minimum detectable change of clinical pressure pain threshold testing in people with and without acute neck pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2011 Sep;41(9):644-50. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2011.3666. Epub 2011 Sep 1.
PubMed 21885906Karaca, S. (2017). Vücut Farkındalığı Anketinin Türkçe uyarlaması: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması (Yayınlanmamış yüksek lisans tezi). Muğla Sıtkı Koçman Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Muğla.
Heisler AC, Song J, Dunlop DD, Wohlfahrt A, Bingham CO III, Bolster MB, Clauw DJ, Marder W, Phillips K, Neogi T, Lee YC. Association of Pain Centralization and Patient-Reported Pain in Active Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020 Aug;72(8):1122-1129. doi: 10.1002/acr.23994. Epub 2020 Jul 21.
PubMed 31162824Acet N, Begen S. The proprioceptive puzzle: An observational study investigating the effects of cervical proprioceptive errors on quantitative sensory testing and body awareness in young individuals. PLoS One. 2025 Apr 21;20(4):e0321645. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321645. eCollection 2025.
PubMed 40257972
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Nov 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Proprioceptive Puzzle: The Effect of Cervical Proprioceptive Errors on Quantitative Sensory Tests and Body Awareness in Young Adults
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06559397
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AtılımU-2
- Keywords
- Cervical proprioception, Joint position sense, Pain, Temporal summation, Mechanosensitivity, Conditioned pain modulation
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Nagihan AcetUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jan 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Feb 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 19 Aug 2024 (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.
Background: Cervical proprioception, referring to the awareness of the head's position in space, plays a crucial role in maintaining postural control and preventing musculoskeletal injuries. While previous research has established the importance of cervical proprioception in motor function, its specific impact on body awareness and pain-related aspects remains less explored, particularly in healthy young individuals.
Aim: This prospective cross-sectional study aims to investigate the impact of cervical proprioceptive error on body awareness, pressure pain threshold, pressure pain tolerance, conditioned pain modulation, and temporal summation in healthy young individuals.
Methods: In asymptomatic participants, cervical proprioception will be assessed using the 'head position error test' in both right and left rotation directions with the CROM device. Participants will be then divided into two groups based on the presence of proprioceptive deviation (>5°). Body awareness will beassessed using the 'Body Awareness Questionnaire,' while pressure pain threshold, pain tolerance, and temporal summation will be measured bilaterally with an algometer device (2 cm lateral to the C2 and C7 spinal processes, midpoint of the upper part of the trapezius, and over the temporomandibular joint) in both groups. Subsequently, the two groups will be compared using independent samples t-tests.
Detailed description
Cervical proprioception, which refers to the awareness of the head's position in space, is a fundamental component of postural control and the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries. This sense is mediated by sensory receptors located in the muscles, joints, and skin of the cervical spine, providing critical feedback for maintaining balance and coordinating movements. Previous studies have extensively documented the role of cervical proprioception in motor function, highlighting its importance in activities that require precise head and neck movements.
Despite these findings, there is a gap in the literature regarding the specific impact of cervical proprioception on body awareness and pain-related parameters in healthy individuals. Body awareness, or the conscious perception of body position and movement, is essential for efficient motor control and overall well-being. Additionally, understanding how proprioceptive errors in the cervical region might influence pain perception could provide insights into mechanisms underlying chronic pain conditions.
The primary aim of this prospective cross-sectional study is to investigate the impact of cervical proprioceptive error on body awareness, pressure pain threshold, pressure pain tolerance, conditioned pain modulation, and temporal summation in asymptomatic young individuals.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Proprioceptive deficit positive group | – | Other: Assessment of cervical proprioceptionThis group consists of young participants who exhibit a proprioceptive error in their cervical proprioception test. Proprioceptive error refers to an inaccurate perception of the head's position in space. In this study, participants with a deviation greater than 5 degrees during the test will be classified into this group. |
| Proprioceptive deficit negative goup | – | Other: Assessment of cervical proprioceptionThis group includes young participants who do not show any proprioceptive error in the cervical proprioception test. These participants accurately perceive the position of their head and thus do not have a proprioceptive deficit (less than 5 degrees) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- The study involves healthy young participants aged between 18 and 25 years. The participants will be divided into two groups based on the presence of cervical proprioceptive deviation (greater than 5°) as measured by the 'head position error test' using a CROM device.
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Being between 18-25 years old
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- History of cervical spine injuries or disorders
- Chronic pain conditions or diagnosed musculoskeletal disorders
- Previous neck or spine surgeries
- Neurological or psychiatric conditions affecting proprioception or pain perception
- Use of medications influencing pain sensitivity or proprioception
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment of cervical proprioceptionCervical proprioception will be assessed using the 'head position error test' in both right and left rotation directions with the CROM device. Participants will be then divided into two groups based on the presence of proprioceptive errors (>5°). | Other | Proprioceptive deficit negative goup, Proprioceptive deficit positive group |
Primary outcome
Quantitative sensory testing
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention
Quantitative sensory testing including pain threshold, tolerance, conditioned pain modulation, and temporal summation will be assessed by pressure algometer. The "pain threshold" is the point at which a person first feels pain, the "pain tolerance" is the last point that a person can tolerate, and the "temporal summation" is the first painful threshold evaluated after 10 repeats of the pain threshold. Conditioned pain modulation is the modulation of pain perception under varying conditions. In the current study, a cold stimulus will be used.
Assessment of body awareness
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention
Body awareness will be assessed through a questionnaire, consisting of 18 items, divided into 4 subgroups aimed at determining the sensitivity level of normal or abnormal body composition (1. Changes during the body process, 2. Sleep-wake cycle, 3. Estimation of disease onset, 4. Prediction of bodily reactions). Participants are asked to rate each item on a scale of 1 to 7. The overall score is calculated, and a higher score indicates better body awareness. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire are reported to be high.
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 25 Nov 2025.
- Background: PubMed 2009044Revel M, Andre-Deshays C, Minguet M. Cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility in patients with cervical pain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1991 Apr;72(5):288-91.
- Background: PubMed 11799407Kulkarni V, Chandy MJ, Babu KS. Quantitative study of muscle spindles in suboccipital muscles of human foetuses. Neurol India. 2001 Dec;49(4):355-9.
- Background: PubMed 33464539Peng B, Yang L, Li Y, Liu T, Liu Y. Cervical Proprioception Impairment in Neck Pain-Pathophysiology, Clinical Evaluation, and Management: A Narrative Review. Pain Ther. 2021 Jun;10(1):143-164. doi: 10.1007/s40122-020-00230-z. Epub 2021 Jan 12.
- Background: PubMed 19440300Mehling WE, Gopisetty V, Daubenmier J, Price CJ, Hecht FM, Stewart A. Body awareness: construct and self-report measures. PLoS One. 2009;4(5):e5614. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005614. Epub 2009 May 19.
- Background: PubMed 25931733Yang J, Lee B, Kim C. Changes in proprioception and pain in patients with neck pain after upper thoracic manipulation. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015 Mar;27(3):795-8. doi: 10.1589/jpts.27.795. Epub 2015 Mar 31.
- Background: PubMed 23640315Law EY, Chiu TT. Measurement of cervical range of motion (CROM) by electronic CROM goniometer: a test of reliability and validity. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2013;26(2):141-8. doi: 10.3233/BMR-2012-00358.
- Background: PubMed 21885906Walton DM, Macdermid JC, Nielson W, Teasell RW, Chiasson M, Brown L. Reliability, standard error, and minimum detectable change of clinical pressure pain threshold testing in people with and without acute neck pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2011 Sep;41(9):644-50. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2011.3666. Epub 2011 Sep 1.
- BackgroundKaraca, S. (2017). Vücut Farkındalığı Anketinin Türkçe uyarlaması: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması (Yayınlanmamış yüksek lisans tezi). Muğla Sıtkı Koçman Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Muğla.
- Background: PubMed 31162824Heisler AC, Song J, Dunlop DD, Wohlfahrt A, Bingham CO III, Bolster MB, Clauw DJ, Marder W, Phillips K, Neogi T, Lee YC. Association of Pain Centralization and Patient-Reported Pain in Active Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020 Aug;72(8):1122-1129. doi: 10.1002/acr.23994. Epub 2020 Jul 21.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 40257972Acet N, Begen S. The proprioceptive puzzle: An observational study investigating the effects of cervical proprioceptive errors on quantitative sensory testing and body awareness in young individuals. PLoS One. 2025 Apr 21;20(4):e0321645. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321645. eCollection 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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.
Nagihan Acet principal investigator
Atılım University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Cervical Proprioceptive Error in Healthy Young Individuals, run by Nagihan Acet 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 1 inclusion and 6 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 25 Nov 2025. 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?
Quantitative sensory testing (time frame: Immediately after the intervention). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06559397, which also lists 10 linked publications.
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 25 Nov 2025.