Chronic Neck PainNCT07684092
Diaphragmatic Breathing and Electroacupuncture for Chronic Neck Pain
A study testing physiotherapy care, diaphragmatic breathing, and electroacupuncture and physiotherapy care, simple focused breathing exercises, and electroacupuncture in people with Chronic Neck Pain, run by University of Lahore at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Chronic non specific neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder with significant impact on pain, forward head posture, and neck disability. Diaphragmatic breathing has been shown to improve relaxation and reduce musculoskeletal pain, while electroacupuncture has potential benefits in modulating pain pathways. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 50 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Neck Pain
- What is being tested?
- physiotherapy care, diaphragmatic breathing, and electroacupuncture and physiotherapy care, simple focused breathing exercises, and electroacupuncture
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 72 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 15 Nov 2025to 15 Sep 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 20 to 50 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients having a history of the previous 3 months of chronic neck pain
- NPRS 4-7
- Patients having paradoxical breathing
- CVA less than 49 degrees
Who cannot join
- Congenital abnormality of the cervical spine
- Post-traumatic neck pain
- Hemorrhagic diseases
- Radiculopathy
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Pakistan1 site
University of Lahore Teaching Hospital
Lahore, Punjab Province, 54782
About this study
Official title: Diaphragmatic Breathing and Electroacupuncture in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain
Chronic non specific neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder with significant impact on pain, forward head posture, and neck disability. Diaphragmatic breathing has been shown to improve relaxation and reduce musculoskeletal pain, while electroacupuncture has potential benefits in modulating pain pathways. However, the combined effect of these interventions in chronic neck pain remains unexplored. This randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of diaphragmatic breathing and electroacupuncture, in addition to physiotherapy care, compared to simple, focused breathing, electroacupuncture, and physiotherapy care. The primary outcomes are the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and neck disability index (NDI), while secondary outcome include craniovertebral angle (CVA).
Read the detailed description
Chronic neck pain (CNP) is characterized as persisting pain for more than 3 months, which has a longer expected recovery time. It may be linked to a deficiency or modification of the proprioception of the neck muscles, which is essential for head motor control, cervical joint position, and postural stability (PS). In terms of pain and disability, neck discomfort presents a significant medical problem for patients. According to reports, neck pain is a major cause of illness and a global hardship. The most typical signs of the aforementioned condition are localized, dull, and deep muscle discomfort. Additional symptoms include exhaustion, stiffness, pain, decreased activity, involvement restriction, and difficulty performing coordinated motions.
Standard physiotherapy for persistent neck pain, which includes stretching, isometric exercises, and hot pack therapy, has been shown in recent trials (2021-2024) to effectively reduce pain and improve function. Isometric exercises, self-stretching, active range of motion, heat packs, and self-mobilization methods were all used in this recent randomized controlled experiment.
A breathing technique called diaphragmatic breathing training encourages maximum exhalation, enhances lung ventilation, and facilitates the release of secretions from the trachea. The objectives of these exercises are to modify the recruitment of respiratory muscles, decrease hyperinflation, enhance respiratory muscle function, maximise thoracoabdominal mobility, and lessen dyspnoea. Through diaphragmatic respiration, they can support trunk stability and lung function and posture correction.
CNP is also treated in traditional medicine using various techniques. Electroacupuncture (EA) is one of such techniques; it is safe and doesn't require medication, and numerous studies have shown that it effectively reduces pain and enhances patients' quality of life. Electroacupuncture (EA) is a modified form of acupuncture in which, following a traditional acupuncture procedure, weak electronic currents are applied through the needles.
- Conditions
- Chronic Neck Pain
- Being tested
- physiotherapy care, diaphragmatic breathing, and electroacupuncture, physiotherapy care, simple focused breathing exercises, and electroacupuncture
- Keywords
- chronic neck pain, diaphragmatic breathing, electroacupuncture, randomized clinical trial, pain management, neck disability index, craniovertebral angle, physiotherapy care
- Medical subject headings
- Agnosia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
physiotherapy care, diaphragmatic breathing, and electroacupunctureOther
- Physiotherapy care: 30 minutes of physiotherapy, including 10 minutes of hot pack, neck isometrics (muscle setting exercises) (10x10) 3 sets for 10 minutes, and stretching exercises for 10 minutes.
- Diaphragmatic breathing: 10 min per session in a comfortable supine position or focusing on slow, deep inhalation with diaphragmatic expansion will reduce pain threshold and prepare the patients to receive the electroacupuncture.
- Electroacupuncture: Electrical stimulation with acupuncture needles will be applied to the targeted muscle group for 10 minutes per session by a certified practitioner. The targeted muscles will be the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, splenius capitis, and anterior scalene.
- Treatment schedule: The session will consist of 30 minutes of physiotherapy care, 10 minutes of diaphragmatic breathing, and 10 minutes of electroacupuncture
physiotherapy care, simple focused breathing exercises, and electroacupunctureOther
- Physiotherapy care: 30 minutes of physiotherapy, including 10 minutes of hot pack, neck isometrics (muscle setting exercises) (10x10) 3 sets for 10 minutes, and stretching exercises for 10 minutes.
- Simple focused breathing exercises: 10 minutes per session of simple, focused breathing exercises.
- Electroacupuncture: Electrical stimulation with acupuncture needles will be applied to the targeted muscle group for 10 minutes per session by a certified practitioner. The targeted muscles will be the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, splenius capitis, and anterior scalene.
- Treatment schedule: The session will consist of 30 minutes of physiotherapy care, 10 minutes of simple focused breathing exercises, and 10 minutes of electroacupuncture.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapy care, Diaphragmatic breathing, Electroacupuncture | Experimental | These patients will receive physiotherapy care, diaphragmatic breathing, and electroacupuncture as part of their treatment program.
Total session time: 50 minutes Treatment schedule: 3 sessions on alternate days for 6 weeks Receives: Other: physiotherapy care, diaphragmatic breathing, and electroacupuncture |
| Physiotherapy care, Simple focused breathing, Electroacupuncture | Active comparator | These patients will receive physiotherapy care, simple focused breathing exercises, and electroacupuncture as part of their treatment program.
Total session time: 50 minutes Treatment schedule: 3 sessions on alternate days for 6 weeks Receives: Other: physiotherapy care, simple focused breathing exercises, and electroacupuncture |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, an 11 point scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst pain imaginable. Higher scores indicate greater pain (worse outcome).
Measured: Baseline 1st, 3rd and at 6th week of intervention
Neck Disability
Neck disability will be assessed using the Neck Disability Index Urdu version , a 10-item questionnaire with a total score ranging from 0 to 50. Higher scores indicate greater disability (worse outcome).
Measured: Baseline 1st, 3rd and at 6th week of intervention
Secondary outcomes (1)
Craniovertebral Angle (CVA)
Craniovertebral angle will be measured in degrees (°) using Kinovea software version 0.8.27 (64-bit) from standardized lateral photographs. The craniovertebral angle is calculated as the angle between a horizontal line passing through the spinous process of C7 and a line joining C7 to the tragus of the ear. Higher CVA values indicate improved head and neck posture (better outcome), whereas lower values indicate greater forward head posture (worse outcome).
Measured: Baseline 1st, 3rd and at 6th week of intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Jul 2026
- Study start15 Nov 2025
- Primary completion15 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion15 Sep 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Chronic Neck PainStudies 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
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 72 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Lahore
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Sahreen Anwar, PhD, Study chair, University of Lahore
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07684092
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UOL/IREB/25/12/0036
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 28 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 9 Jul 2026
- 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 9 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Diaphragmatic Breathing and Electroacupuncture in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07684092
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- UOL/IREB/25/12/0036
- Conditions
- Chronic Neck Pain
- Keywords
- chronic neck pain, diaphragmatic breathing, electroacupuncture, randomized clinical trial, pain management, neck disability index, craniovertebral angle, physiotherapy care
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Enrolling by invitation
- Enrolment
- 72 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of LahoreUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 15 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 6 Jul 2026 (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.
Chronic non specific neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder with significant impact on pain, forward head posture, and neck disability. Diaphragmatic breathing has been shown to improve relaxation and reduce musculoskeletal pain, while electroacupuncture has potential benefits in modulating pain pathways. However, the combined effect of these interventions in chronic neck pain remains unexplored. This randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of diaphragmatic breathing and electroacupuncture, in addition to physiotherapy care, compared to simple, focused breathing, electroacupuncture, and physiotherapy care. The primary outcomes are the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and neck disability index (NDI), while secondary outcome include craniovertebral angle (CVA).
Detailed description
Chronic neck pain (CNP) is characterized as persisting pain for more than 3 months, which has a longer expected recovery time. It may be linked to a deficiency or modification of the proprioception of the neck muscles, which is essential for head motor control, cervical joint position, and postural stability (PS). In terms of pain and disability, neck discomfort presents a significant medical problem for patients. According to reports, neck pain is a major cause of illness and a global hardship. The most typical signs of the aforementioned condition are localized, dull, and deep muscle discomfort. Additional symptoms include exhaustion, stiffness, pain, decreased activity, involvement restriction, and difficulty performing coordinated motions.
Standard physiotherapy for persistent neck pain, which includes stretching, isometric exercises, and hot pack therapy, has been shown in recent trials (2021-2024) to effectively reduce pain and improve function. Isometric exercises, self-stretching, active range of motion, heat packs, and self-mobilization methods were all used in this recent randomized controlled experiment.
A breathing technique called diaphragmatic breathing training encourages maximum exhalation, enhances lung ventilation, and facilitates the release of secretions from the trachea. The objectives of these exercises are to modify the recruitment of respiratory muscles, decrease hyperinflation, enhance respiratory muscle function, maximise thoracoabdominal mobility, and lessen dyspnoea. Through diaphragmatic respiration, they can support trunk stability and lung function and posture correction.
CNP is also treated in traditional medicine using various techniques. Electroacupuncture (EA) is one of such techniques; it is safe and doesn't require medication, and numerous studies have shown that it effectively reduces pain and enhances patients' quality of life. Electroacupuncture (EA) is a modified form of acupuncture in which, following a traditional acupuncture procedure, weak electronic currents are applied through the needles.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapy care, Diaphragmatic breathing, Electroacupuncture | Experimental | Other: physiotherapy care, diaphragmatic breathing, and electroacupunctureThese patients will receive physiotherapy care, diaphragmatic breathing, and electroacupuncture as part of their treatment program. Total session time: 50 minutes Treatment schedule: 3 sessions on alternate days for 6 weeks |
| Physiotherapy care, Simple focused breathing, Electroacupuncture | Active comparator | Other: physiotherapy care, simple focused breathing exercises, and electroacupunctureThese patients will receive physiotherapy care, simple focused breathing exercises, and electroacupuncture as part of their treatment program. Total session time: 50 minutes Treatment schedule: 3 sessions on alternate days for 6 weeks |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Patients having a history of the previous 3 months of chronic neck pain
- NPRS 4-7
- Patients having paradoxical breathing
- CVA less than 49 degrees
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Congenital abnormality of the cervical spine
- Post-traumatic neck pain
- Hemorrhagic diseases
- Radiculopathy
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 |
|---|---|---|
| physiotherapy care, diaphragmatic breathing, and electroacupuncture* Physiotherapy care: 30 minutes of physiotherapy, including 10 minutes of hot pack, neck isometrics (muscle setting exercises) (10x10) 3 sets for 10 minutes, and stretching exercises for 10 minutes. * Diaphragmatic breathing: 10 min per session in a comfortable supine position or focusing on slow, deep inhalation with diaphragmatic expansion will reduce pain threshold and prepare the patients to receive the electroacupuncture. * Electroacupuncture: Electrical stimulation with acupuncture needles will be applied to the targeted muscle group for 10 minutes per session by a certified practitioner. The targeted muscles will be the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, splenius capitis, and anterior scalene. * Treatment schedule: The session will consist of 30 minutes of physiotherapy care, 10 minutes of diaphragmatic breathing, and 10 minutes of electroacupuncture | Other | Physiotherapy care, Diaphragmatic breathing, Electroacupuncture |
| physiotherapy care, simple focused breathing exercises, and electroacupuncture* Physiotherapy care: 30 minutes of physiotherapy, including 10 minutes of hot pack, neck isometrics (muscle setting exercises) (10x10) 3 sets for 10 minutes, and stretching exercises for 10 minutes. * Simple focused breathing exercises: 10 minutes per session of simple, focused breathing exercises. * Electroacupuncture: Electrical stimulation with acupuncture needles will be applied to the targeted muscle group for 10 minutes per session by a certified practitioner. The targeted muscles will be the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, splenius capitis, and anterior scalene. * Treatment schedule: The session will consist of 30 minutes of physiotherapy care, 10 minutes of simple focused breathing exercises, and 10 minutes of electroacupuncture. | Other | Physiotherapy care, Simple focused breathing, Electroacupuncture |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity
Time frame: Baseline 1st, 3rd and at 6th week of intervention
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, an 11 point scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst pain imaginable. Higher scores indicate greater pain (worse outcome).
Neck Disability
Time frame: Baseline 1st, 3rd and at 6th week of intervention
Neck disability will be assessed using the Neck Disability Index Urdu version , a 10-item questionnaire with a total score ranging from 0 to 50. Higher scores indicate greater disability (worse outcome).
1 secondary outcome
Craniovertebral Angle (CVA)
Time frame: Baseline 1st, 3rd and at 6th week of intervention
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Chronic Neck Pain
Not yet recruiting
Effects of the Timing of Vagus Nerve Stimulation Combined With Exercise in Chronic Neck Pain
Chronic Neck Pain
Not yet recruiting
The Clinical Efficacy and Multimodal Imaging Mechanism of the Knot-tying Technique in the Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain
Chronic Neck Pain
Recruiting
EFFECT OF MULLIGAN CERVICAL SUSTAINED NATURAL APOPHYSEAL GLIDE ON POSTURAL STABILITY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC NECK PAIN
Chronic Neck Pain With Mobility Deficits, Chronic Neck Pain With Mobility Deficits (> 3 Months)
Recruiting
Effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Versus Post Facilitation Stretch Technique in Chronic Neck Pain
Cerival Pain, Chronic Neck Pain
Not yet recruiting
Focused Versus Multi-Target Trigger Point Injection for Chronic Myofascial Neck Pain
Myofacial Pain Syndrome, Chronic Neck Pain
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.
Sahreen Anwar, PhD study chair
University of Lahore
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing physiotherapy care, diaphragmatic breathing, and electroacupuncture and physiotherapy care, simple focused breathing exercises, and electroacupuncture in people with Chronic Neck Pain, run by University of Lahore at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 4 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: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Jul 2026. 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 Pakistan. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
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 Intensity (time frame: Baseline 1st, 3rd and at 6th week of 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?
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 9 Jul 2026.