Neck Pain MusculoskeletalNCT07791706
Application Based Behavior Nudging Active Breaks Versus Conventional Ergonomic Education for Thoracic Mobility and Neck Pain in Office Workers
A study testing App Based Behavior Nudging Active Breaks and Conventional Ergonomic Education and Exercise in people with Neck Pain Musculoskeletal, run by Riphah International University.
Trial summary
This study is about neck pain and upper-back movement in office workers. Sitting for long hours and working on computers can contribute to neck and upper-back discomfort. The study will compare two approaches: App-Based Active Breaks: An app will remind participants to take 1 minute movement breaks during their… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 25 to 50 weeks
- Conditions the study is for
- Neck Pain Musculoskeletal
- What is being tested?
- App Based Behavior Nudging Active Breaks and Conventional Ergonomic Education and Exercise
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 64 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 17 Aug 2026to 17 Dec 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 25 to 50 weeks
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- 25-50 years, employed in call-center or IT support roles for ≥30 hours per week.
- Sub-acute or chronic non-specific neck and upper thoracic pain
- Neck Disability Index (NDI) score ≥10/50 indicating mild to moderate disability.
- Access to a smartphone compatible with the intervention app
- Able to understand and follow app prompts in English/Urdu.
Who cannot join
- Specific neck pathology (cervical radiculopathy, myelopathy, fracture, malignancy, infection, or inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis).
- Post-surgical conditions of the cervical or thoracic spine or shoulder within the past 6 months.
- Severe thoracic kyphosis, scoliosis, or other structural spinal deformities interfering with movement assessment.
- Pregnancy or conditions contraindicating light mobility exercises (e.g., vertigo, uncontrolled hypertension).
- Ongoing structured physiotherapy or chiropractic management for neck or upper back pain.
- Planned leave exceeding 2 consecutive weeks during the trial period.
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Effect of Application Based Behavior Nudging Active Breaks Versus Conventional Ergonomic Education on Thoracic Mobility and Neck Pain in Office Workers
This study is about neck pain and upper-back movement in office workers. Sitting for long hours and working on computers can contribute to neck and upper-back discomfort.
The study will compare two approaches:
Read more
App-Based Active Breaks: An app will remind participants to take 1 minute movement breaks during their workday.
Conventional Approach: Participants will receive ergonomic advice and exercises to do twice a day.
The exercises include simple movements for the upper back, shoulders, and neck.
Participants will be assessed for neck pain, neck disability, upper-back movement, muscle endurance, and work-related difficulties before and after the program.
The active program will last 6 weeks, followed by a final assessment in week 8.
Participation is voluntary, and participants can withdraw at any time. Their personal information will be kept confidential.
The study aims to find out whether taking short, regular movement breaks with app reminders can help reduce neck pain and improve upper-back movement in office workers.
Read the detailed description
This study aims to compare app based behavior nudging active breaks with conventional ergonomic education and exercise for office workers experiencing non specific neck and upper back pain. Prolonged sitting, computer use, static postures, and repetitive neck movements can contribute to neck discomfort and reduced upper back mobility. The study focuses on whether regular short movement breaks can help improve these problems.
A total of 64 office workers will participate in the study and will be randomly divided into two groups, with 32 participants in each group. The study will be conducted in corporate offices in Islamabad. Participants will be assessed for neck pain, neck related disability, work limitations, deep neck muscle endurance, and thoracic spine mobility.
Both groups will receive a 15 minute ergonomic education session covering appropriate sitting posture, monitor height, keyboard and mouse placement, and back support. Both groups will also be taught four mobility exercises: seated thoracic extension mobilization, scapular wall slides, and seated thoracic rotation mobilization.
The app based group will receive reminders approximately 7-8 times during each workday for six weeks. Each reminder will prompt participants to take a one minute active break and perform the prescribed mobility exercises. The app will also provide visual reminders and progress features to encourage regular participation. Weekly monitoring and therapist feedback will be provided to support correct exercise performance and adherence.
The conventional group will perform the same mobility exercises twice daily, in the morning and afternoon, without app reminders. They will receive written or electronic instructions about posture, movement safety, and monitoring discomfort, along with weekly self reports of exercise completion and discomfort.
After six weeks, there will be a one week period without supervised sessions or reminders. In week eight, participants will undergo a final assessment. The researchers will compare changes in neck pain, neck disability, thoracic mobility, deep neck muscle endurance, work limitations, and adherence between the two groups. Participant feedback about the intervention will also be collected.
The study is designed as a single-blinded, two-arm randomized controlled trial. Data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical tests depending on the distribution of the data, with analysis performed using SPSS version 29.
The study is intended to determine whether app based reminders combined with short active breaks can provide a practical approach for improving neck pain, neck related disability, thoracic mobility, work productivity, and adherence among office workers.
- Conditions
- Neck Pain Musculoskeletal
- Being tested
- App Based Behavior Nudging Active Breaks, Conventional Ergonomic Education and Exercise
- Keywords
- Neck Pain; Thoracic Mobility; Office Workers; Active Breaks; Behavior Nudging; Mobile App; Ergonomic Education; Exercise Adherence
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
App Based Behavior Nudging Active BreaksBehavioural
Participants will receive app reminders 7-8 times during the workday for six weeks to perform one-minute active breaks using the prescribed mobility exercises. The app will include visual reminders and progress streaks
Conventional Ergonomic Education and ExerciseBehavioural
Participants will receive ergonomic education and perform the prescribed mobility exercises twice daily, in the morning and afternoon, without app reminders. They will also receive guidance on posture, movement safety, and pain monitoring.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| App Based Behavior Nudging Active Breaks | Experimental | Participants will receive app reminders 7-8 times during the workday for six weeks to take one minute active breaks and perform the prescribed mobility exercises. Receives: Behavioral: App Based Behavior Nudging Active Breaks |
| Conventional Ergonomic Education and Exercise | Active comparator | Participants will perform the prescribed mobility exercises twice daily, in the morning and afternoon, without app reminders. They will also receive ergonomic guidance on posture, movement safety, and pain monitoring. Receives: Behavioral: Conventional Ergonomic Education and Exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Exercise Adherence
Adherence to the prescribed active breaks and mobility exercises, assessed using the Exercise Adherence Rating Scale and app based activity logs.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0) to Week 8
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Aug 2026
- Study start17 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion17 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion17 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Neck Pain MusculoskeletalStudies 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
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups. The intervention group will receive app-based behavior-nudging active breaks, while the control group will receive conventional ergonomic education and exercise. Both groups will be followed for the same study period, and outcomes will be compared between the groups.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 64 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Tayyeba Gul, Ms OMPT, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07791706
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- RIU/RCRAHS-ISB/REC/MSPT/02440
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 25 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 28 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- 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 28 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Application Based Behavior Nudging Active Breaks Versus Conventional Ergonomic Education on Thoracic Mobility and Neck Pain in Office Workers
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07791706
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- RIU/RCRAHS-ISB/REC/MSPT/02440
- Conditions
- Neck Pain Musculoskeletal
- Keywords
- Neck Pain; Thoracic Mobility; Office Workers; Active Breaks; Behavior Nudging; Mobile App; Ergonomic Education; Exercise Adherence
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 64 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 17 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 17 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 17 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 28 Aug 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.
This study is about neck pain and upper-back movement in office workers. Sitting for long hours and working on computers can contribute to neck and upper-back discomfort.
The study will compare two approaches:
App-Based Active Breaks: An app will remind participants to take 1 minute movement breaks during their workday.
Conventional Approach: Participants will receive ergonomic advice and exercises to do twice a day.
The exercises include simple movements for the upper back, shoulders, and neck.
Participants will be assessed for neck pain, neck disability, upper-back movement, muscle endurance, and work-related difficulties before and after the program.
The active program will last 6 weeks, followed by a final assessment in week 8.
Participation is voluntary, and participants can withdraw at any time. Their personal information will be kept confidential.
The study aims to find out whether taking short, regular movement breaks with app reminders can help reduce neck pain and improve upper-back movement in office workers.
Detailed description
This study aims to compare app based behavior nudging active breaks with conventional ergonomic education and exercise for office workers experiencing non specific neck and upper back pain. Prolonged sitting, computer use, static postures, and repetitive neck movements can contribute to neck discomfort and reduced upper back mobility. The study focuses on whether regular short movement breaks can help improve these problems.
A total of 64 office workers will participate in the study and will be randomly divided into two groups, with 32 participants in each group. The study will be conducted in corporate offices in Islamabad. Participants will be assessed for neck pain, neck related disability, work limitations, deep neck muscle endurance, and thoracic spine mobility.
Both groups will receive a 15 minute ergonomic education session covering appropriate sitting posture, monitor height, keyboard and mouse placement, and back support. Both groups will also be taught four mobility exercises: seated thoracic extension mobilization, scapular wall slides, and seated thoracic rotation mobilization.
The app based group will receive reminders approximately 7-8 times during each workday for six weeks. Each reminder will prompt participants to take a one minute active break and perform the prescribed mobility exercises. The app will also provide visual reminders and progress features to encourage regular participation. Weekly monitoring and therapist feedback will be provided to support correct exercise performance and adherence.
The conventional group will perform the same mobility exercises twice daily, in the morning and afternoon, without app reminders. They will receive written or electronic instructions about posture, movement safety, and monitoring discomfort, along with weekly self reports of exercise completion and discomfort.
After six weeks, there will be a one week period without supervised sessions or reminders. In week eight, participants will undergo a final assessment. The researchers will compare changes in neck pain, neck disability, thoracic mobility, deep neck muscle endurance, work limitations, and adherence between the two groups. Participant feedback about the intervention will also be collected.
The study is designed as a single-blinded, two-arm randomized controlled trial. Data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical tests depending on the distribution of the data, with analysis performed using SPSS version 29.
The study is intended to determine whether app based reminders combined with short active breaks can provide a practical approach for improving neck pain, neck related disability, thoracic mobility, work productivity, and adherence among office workers.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups. The intervention group will receive app-based behavior-nudging active breaks, while the control group will receive conventional ergonomic education and exercise. Both groups will be followed for the same study period, and outcomes will be compared between the groups.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| App Based Behavior Nudging Active Breaks | Experimental | Behavioral: App Based Behavior Nudging Active BreaksParticipants will receive app reminders 7-8 times during the workday for six weeks to take one minute active breaks and perform the prescribed mobility exercises. |
| Conventional Ergonomic Education and Exercise | Active comparator | Behavioral: Conventional Ergonomic Education and ExerciseParticipants will perform the prescribed mobility exercises twice daily, in the morning and afternoon, without app reminders. They will also receive ergonomic guidance on posture, movement safety, and pain monitoring. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 25 to 50 weeks
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 25-50 years, employed in call-center or IT support roles for ≥30 hours per week.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Specific neck pathology (cervical radiculopathy, myelopathy, fracture, malignancy, infection, or inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis).
- Post-surgical conditions of the cervical or thoracic spine or shoulder within the past 6 months.
- Severe thoracic kyphosis, scoliosis, or other structural spinal deformities interfering with movement assessment.
- Pregnancy or conditions contraindicating light mobility exercises (e.g., vertigo, uncontrolled hypertension).
- Ongoing structured physiotherapy or chiropractic management for neck or upper back pain.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| App Based Behavior Nudging Active BreaksParticipants will receive app reminders 7-8 times during the workday for six weeks to perform one-minute active breaks using the prescribed mobility exercises. The app will include visual reminders and progress streaks | Behavioural | App Based Behavior Nudging Active Breaks |
| Conventional Ergonomic Education and ExerciseParticipants will receive ergonomic education and perform the prescribed mobility exercises twice daily, in the morning and afternoon, without app reminders. They will also receive guidance on posture, movement safety, and pain monitoring. | Behavioural | Conventional Ergonomic Education and Exercise |
Primary outcome
Exercise Adherence
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) to Week 8
Adherence to the prescribed active breaks and mobility exercises, assessed using the Exercise Adherence Rating Scale and app based activity logs.
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 28 Aug 2026.
- 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.
Tayyeba Gul, Ms OMPT principal investigator
Riphah International University
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing App Based Behavior Nudging Active Breaks and Conventional Ergonomic Education and Exercise in people with Neck Pain Musculoskeletal, run by Riphah International University.
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 5 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
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?
Contact Maryam Kundi (+923405754453, maryam.kundi@riphah.edu.pk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Exercise Adherence (time frame: Baseline (Week 0) to Week 8). 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 28 Aug 2026.