Neck PainNCT06991140
Investigation of the Efficacy of Thoracic Mobilization Exercises Performed in Addition to Core Stabilization Exercises in Individuals With Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain
A study testing Thorocal Mobilization Exercises and Core Stabilization Exercises in people with Neck Pain, run by Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints worldwide and is an important health problem that restricts the daily life activities of individuals. In particular, chronic non-specific neck pain (CNSNP) describes pain that persists for at least 12 weeks without an underlying specific pathological cause… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Neck Pain
- What is being tested?
- Thorocal Mobilization Exercises and Core Stabilization Exercises
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 54 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Jun 2025to 1 Sep 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- 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 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- To be between the ages of 18-65,
- 3 months of persistent neck pain,
- Being sedentary,
- Not being involved in any physiotherapy programme in the last 6 months
Who cannot join
- History of previous spinal surgery or trauma,
- Neurological deficit, vestibular pathology, neurological, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal problems affecting physical performance, any pathology in the shoulder joint, any pathology in the jaw joint and pregnancy
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Kırşehir Ahi Evran University
Kırşehir, Kırşehir, 40100
About this study
Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints worldwide and is an important health problem that restricts the daily life activities of individuals. In particular, chronic non-specific neck pain (CNSNP) describes pain that persists for at least 12 weeks without an underlying specific pathological cause and affects a large segment of the population. CNSNP leads not only to pain but also to functional limitations, postural disorders and decreased quality of life.
In recent years, exercise-based approaches, especially core stabilisation exercises, have become prominent in the treatment of CNSNP. Core stabilisation exercises aim to increase postural control, improve segmental stability and thus reduce pain by activating deep muscle groups around the spine. However, it has been reported that exercises targeting only local muscle groups may be insufficient to meet the high-level biomechanical and neuromuscular needs of the cervical spine.
Read more
In this context, the effect of the mobility of the thoracic spine on neck function is noteworthy. Hypomobility in the thoracic region may contribute to pain and dysfunction by increasing the load on the cervical spine. Therefore, it is thought that adding thoracic mobilisation exercises to core stabilisation exercises may be more effective in improving neck pain and postural disorders.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adding thoracic mobilisation to a core stabilisation exercise programme in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain.
Read the detailed description
Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems on a global scale and causes a significant decrease in the quality of life by negatively affecting the social, occupational and physical functionality of individuals. It is reported that approximately 30-50% of individuals experience neck pain every year and a significant proportion of these complaints become chronic. Chronic non-specific neck pain (CNSNP) is defined as neck pain that persists for more than three months without an underlying anatomical or pathological cause and is the most common type of neck pain encountered in clinical practice. In the treatment of CNSNP, both symptom relief and correction of underlying mechanical disorders are important.
In rehabilitation programmes for neck pain, core stabilisation exercises are widely used to strengthen spinal stability and improve postural control by increasing activation of the deep muscles supporting the cervical and thoracic spine. The core consists of a large number of muscles and connective tissues surrounding the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine and the coordinated functioning of these structures is critical for the functional integrity of the spine. Various studies have shown that core stabilisation exercises are effective in reducing pain and increasing functional capacity.
However, the functional and mechanical health of the cervical spine is closely related not only to the local stabilising muscles but also to the mobility of the thoracic spine. Hypomobility of the thoracic spine can lead to increased compensatory motion in the cervical segments, muscle spasm, postural distortion and increased pain. There is increasing evidence in the literature that improving thoracic mobility can reduce cervical pain and dysfunction. In this context, integrating thoracic mobilisation exercises into core stabilisation programmes may provide not only symptomatic relief, but also better postural alignment and more effective functional recovery.
The aim of this study is to comparatively examine the effects of adding thoracic mobilisation exercises to core stabilisation exercises in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain. In this direction, it is aimed to evaluate the extent to which the applications for the mobility of the thoracic spine affect the clinical symptoms in the cervical region and to obtain data that will contribute to clinical rehabilitation programmes.
- Conditions
- Neck Pain
- Being tested
- Thorocal Mobilization Exercises, Core Stabilization Exercises
- Keywords
- neck pain, mobilization
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Thorocal Mobilization ExercisesOther
Thoracic mobilisation exercises were performed 3 days a week for a total of 6 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Thoracic mobilisation programme consisted of active self-mobilisation techniques, mobilisation exercises with foam rollers, stretching exercises including thoracic rotation and extension movements and dynamic postural exercises. Especially 'thread the needle' exercise in sitting or quadruped position, 'thoracic extension press-up' in prone position and 'extension on foam rollers' were preferred to increase the mobility of thoracic vertebral segments. The exercises were gradually made more difficult according to the tolerance of the individuals. Each exercise was performed as 10-15 repetitions and 2-3 sets. Exercise safety was ensured by informing the patients about the correct posture and movement patterns before all applications.
Core Stabilization ExercisesOther
Core stabilization exercises were structured to target activation of deep muscle groups supporting cervical and thoracic spine stability. The exercise programme was performed 3 days a week for a total of 6 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The programme included exercises to improve head and neck control (chin tuck, head lift in supine position), exercises to improve scapular stability (scapular retraction, wall slide, serratus anterior activation) and exercises to improve trunk control in neutral spine position (arm and leg extension in four-point position, plank variations). The exercises were gradually made more difficult according to the tolerance of the individuals and each session lasted approximately 40-45 minutes. By ensuring that the exercises were performed in the correct form and in a controlled manner, overloading of the musculoskeletal system was prevented.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Experimental | Core stabilisation exercises applied to both groups of the study were structured to target the activation of deep muscle groups supporting the stability of the cervical and thoracic spine. The exercise programme was performed 3 days a week for a total of 6 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The programme included exercises to improve head and neck control (chin tuck, head lift in supine position), exercises to improve scapular stability (scapular retraction, wall slide, serratus anterior activation) and exercises to improve trunk control in neutral spine position (arm and leg extension in four-point position, plank variations). The exercises were gradually made more difficult according to the tolerance of the individuals and each session lasted approximately 40-45 minutes. By ensuring that the exercises were performed in the correct form and in a controlled manner, overloading of the musculoskeletal system was prevented. Receives: Other: Core Stabilization Exercises |
| Thorocal mobilization group | Experimental | Thoracic mobilisation exercises were performed 3 days a week for a total of 6 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Thoracic mobilisation programme consisted of active self-mobilisation techniques, mobilisation exercises with foam rollers, stretching exercises including thoracic rotation and extension movements and dynamic postural exercises. Especially 'thread the needle' exercise in sitting or quadruped position, 'thoracic extension press-up' in prone position and 'extension on foam rollers' were preferred to increase the mobility of thoracic vertebral segments. The exercises were gradually made more difficult according to the tolerance of the individuals. Each exercise was performed as 10-15 repetitions and 2-3 sets. Exercise safety was ensured by informing the patients about the correct posture and movement patterns before all applications. The main aim of the exercises was to alleviate the mechanical load of the cervicothoracic transition by reducing thoracic hypomobi Receives: Other: Thorocal Mobilization Exercises; Other: Core Stabilization Exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Severity
Visual Analogue Scale was used to determine severity of low back pain in the study participants. Visual Analogue Scale is a practical test with high validity and reliability in pain assessment. Visual Analogue Scale is an assessment method numbered from 0 to 10, where '0' indicates no pain and '10' indicates the presence of the most severe pain. Participants were asked to mark the degree of pain they had on this scale and recorded.
Measured: 6 week
Secondary outcomes (3)
Disability
The Neck Disability Index consists of 10 headings. Participants are asked to score each question between 0 (no disability) and 5 (full disability). The total score ranges from 0 (no disability) to 50 (total disability). A score of 0-4 is interpreted as no disability, 5-14 as mild disability, 15-24 as moderate disability, 25-34 as severe disability and >35 as total disability.
Measured: 6 week
Cervical muscle strength
Flexor and extensor muscle strength of the cervical region was measured with a digital hand dynamometer (Lafayette Instrument Company, USA). For the evaluation position, the fine muscle test positions and method defined by Lovett were taken as a basis. While evaluating the cervical flexors, participants were asked to flex their heads while lying in the supine position in the hook position, and the resistance was given from the frontal region. While evaluating the cervical extensors, participants were asked to extend their heads in the prone position with the arms at their sides, the resistance was given from the occipital region. All measurements were repeated three times and the highest value was recorded in kilogram.
Measured: 6 week
Spine Assessment
Spine structure was assessed with the Spinal Mouse® (Idiag, Volkerswill, Switzerland) device . It is a non-invasive, radiation-free, and computer-assisted electromechanical device. The handheld wireless mouse included in the device is connected to a computer via bluetooth. The raw data reaches the computer via bluetooth and is evaluated by the software. The device has measurement options in different planes, provides the opportunity to evaluate both the posture and mobility of the spine, and gives valid, and reliable results. During the assessment, the processes spinosus of the spine from C7 to S3 were marked and the mouse was slide along the spine from top to bottom from the skin surface at a constant speed and pressure.
Measured: 6 week
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 May 2025
- Study start1 Jun 2025
- Primary completion1 Sep 2025
- Study completion1 Sep 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Neck PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Kirsehir Ahi Evran UniversitesiThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- randomized controlled trials
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mehmet CANLI, Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
- Investigators
- Mehmet CANLI, PhD., Principal investigator, Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06991140
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 43834581758)
- Status last verified
- Jun 2025
- First submitted
- 15 May 2025
- Last updated
- 17 Nov 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Nov 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Investigation of the Efficacy of Thoracic Mobilization Exercises Performed in Addition to Core Stabilization Exercises in Individuals With Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06991140
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 43834581758)
- Conditions
- Neck Pain
- Keywords
- neck pain, mobilization
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Kirsehir Ahi Evran UniversitesiUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Sep 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 25 May 2025 (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.
Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints worldwide and is an important health problem that restricts the daily life activities of individuals. In particular, chronic non-specific neck pain (CNSNP) describes pain that persists for at least 12 weeks without an underlying specific pathological cause and affects a large segment of the population. CNSNP leads not only to pain but also to functional limitations, postural disorders and decreased quality of life.
In recent years, exercise-based approaches, especially core stabilisation exercises, have become prominent in the treatment of CNSNP. Core stabilisation exercises aim to increase postural control, improve segmental stability and thus reduce pain by activating deep muscle groups around the spine. However, it has been reported that exercises targeting only local muscle groups may be insufficient to meet the high-level biomechanical and neuromuscular needs of the cervical spine.
In this context, the effect of the mobility of the thoracic spine on neck function is noteworthy. Hypomobility in the thoracic region may contribute to pain and dysfunction by increasing the load on the cervical spine. Therefore, it is thought that adding thoracic mobilisation exercises to core stabilisation exercises may be more effective in improving neck pain and postural disorders.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adding thoracic mobilisation to a core stabilisation exercise programme in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain.
Detailed description
Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems on a global scale and causes a significant decrease in the quality of life by negatively affecting the social, occupational and physical functionality of individuals. It is reported that approximately 30-50% of individuals experience neck pain every year and a significant proportion of these complaints become chronic. Chronic non-specific neck pain (CNSNP) is defined as neck pain that persists for more than three months without an underlying anatomical or pathological cause and is the most common type of neck pain encountered in clinical practice. In the treatment of CNSNP, both symptom relief and correction of underlying mechanical disorders are important.
In rehabilitation programmes for neck pain, core stabilisation exercises are widely used to strengthen spinal stability and improve postural control by increasing activation of the deep muscles supporting the cervical and thoracic spine. The core consists of a large number of muscles and connective tissues surrounding the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine and the coordinated functioning of these structures is critical for the functional integrity of the spine. Various studies have shown that core stabilisation exercises are effective in reducing pain and increasing functional capacity.
However, the functional and mechanical health of the cervical spine is closely related not only to the local stabilising muscles but also to the mobility of the thoracic spine. Hypomobility of the thoracic spine can lead to increased compensatory motion in the cervical segments, muscle spasm, postural distortion and increased pain. There is increasing evidence in the literature that improving thoracic mobility can reduce cervical pain and dysfunction. In this context, integrating thoracic mobilisation exercises into core stabilisation programmes may provide not only symptomatic relief, but also better postural alignment and more effective functional recovery.
The aim of this study is to comparatively examine the effects of adding thoracic mobilisation exercises to core stabilisation exercises in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain. In this direction, it is aimed to evaluate the extent to which the applications for the mobility of the thoracic spine affect the clinical symptoms in the cervical region and to obtain data that will contribute to clinical rehabilitation programmes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- randomized controlled trials
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Experimental | Other: Core Stabilization ExercisesCore stabilisation exercises applied to both groups of the study were structured to target the activation of deep muscle groups supporting the stability of the cervical and thoracic spine. The exercise programme was performed 3 days a week for a total of 6 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The programme included exercises to improve head and neck control (chin tuck, head lift in supine position), exercises to improve scapular stability (scapular retraction, wall slide, serratus anterior activation) and exercises to improve trunk control in neutral spine position (arm and leg extension in four-point position, plank variations). The exercises were gradually made more difficult according to the tolerance of the individuals and each session lasted approximately 40-45 minutes. By ensuring that the exercises were performed in the correct form and in a controlled manner, overloading of the musculoskeletal system was prevented. |
| Thorocal mobilization group | Experimental | Other: Thorocal Mobilization Exercises, Other: Core Stabilization ExercisesThoracic mobilisation exercises were performed 3 days a week for a total of 6 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Thoracic mobilisation programme consisted of active self-mobilisation techniques, mobilisation exercises with foam rollers, stretching exercises including thoracic rotation and extension movements and dynamic postural exercises. Especially 'thread the needle' exercise in sitting or quadruped position, 'thoracic extension press-up' in prone position and 'extension on foam rollers' were preferred to increase the mobility of thoracic vertebral segments. The exercises were gradually made more difficult according to the tolerance of the individuals. Each exercise was performed as 10-15 repetitions and 2-3 sets. Exercise safety was ensured by informing the patients about the correct posture and movement patterns before all applications. The main aim of the exercises was to alleviate the mechanical load of the cervicothoracic transition by reducing thoracic hypomobi |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- To be between the ages of 18-65,
- 3 months of persistent neck pain,
- Being sedentary,
- Not being involved in any physiotherapy programme in the last 6 months
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- History of previous spinal surgery or trauma,
- Neurological deficit, vestibular pathology, neurological, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal problems affecting physical performance, any pathology in the shoulder joint, any pathology in the jaw joint and pregnancy
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Thorocal Mobilization ExercisesThoracic mobilisation exercises were performed 3 days a week for a total of 6 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Thoracic mobilisation programme consisted of active self-mobilisation techniques, mobilisation exercises with foam rollers, stretching exercises including thoracic rotation and extension movements and dynamic postural exercises. Especially 'thread the needle' exercise in sitting or quadruped position, 'thoracic extension press-up' in prone position and 'extension on foam rollers' were preferred to increase the mobility of thoracic vertebral segments. The exercises were gradually made more difficult according to the tolerance of the individuals. Each exercise was performed as 10-15 repetitions and 2-3 sets. Exercise safety was ensured by informing the patients about the correct posture and movement patterns before all applications. | Other | Thorocal mobilization group |
| Core Stabilization ExercisesCore stabilization exercises were structured to target activation of deep muscle groups supporting cervical and thoracic spine stability. The exercise programme was performed 3 days a week for a total of 6 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The programme included exercises to improve head and neck control (chin tuck, head lift in supine position), exercises to improve scapular stability (scapular retraction, wall slide, serratus anterior activation) and exercises to improve trunk control in neutral spine position (arm and leg extension in four-point position, plank variations). The exercises were gradually made more difficult according to the tolerance of the individuals and each session lasted approximately 40-45 minutes. By ensuring that the exercises were performed in the correct form and in a controlled manner, overloading of the musculoskeletal system was prevented. | Other | Control Group, Thorocal mobilization group |
Primary outcome
Pain Severity
Time frame: 6 week
Visual Analogue Scale was used to determine severity of low back pain in the study participants. Visual Analogue Scale is a practical test with high validity and reliability in pain assessment. Visual Analogue Scale is an assessment method numbered from 0 to 10, where '0' indicates no pain and '10' indicates the presence of the most severe pain. Participants were asked to mark the degree of pain they had on this scale and recorded.
3 secondary outcomes
Disability
Time frame: 6 week
Cervical muscle strength
Time frame: 6 week
Spine Assessment
Time frame: 6 week
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 17 Nov 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Mehmet CANLI, PhD. principal investigator
Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Thorocal Mobilization Exercises and Core Stabilization Exercises in people with Neck Pain, run by Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi 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 4 inclusion and 2 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 17 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?
Pain Severity (time frame: 6 week). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 17 Nov 2025.