Non Specific Neck Pain
Conditions
Keywords
Contrology Training, Pilates, Non Specific Neck Pain, Craniovertebral Angle, Neck Disability Index, Cervical Range of Motion, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Forward Head Posture
Brief summary
This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effects of a 12-week Contrology training program in patients with non-specific neck pain. Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups. The experimental group will receive Contrology training, while the control group will receive conventional physiotherapy. Outcomes will include pain intensity, cervical range of motion, neck-related disability, and craniovertebral angle. Assessments will be performed at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. The study aims to determine whether Contrology training is more effective than conventional physiotherapy in improving pain, posture, mobility, and functional disability in adults with non-specific neck pain.
Detailed description
Non-specific neck pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that may lead to pain, restricted cervical movement, functional disability, and altered head and neck posture. Forward head posture, commonly assessed through craniovertebral angle, is frequently associated with neck pain and may contribute to increased mechanical load on cervical structures. Exercise-based rehabilitation is commonly used for the management of non-specific neck pain; however, the effects of Contrology training on pain, cervical range of motion, disability, and craniovertebral angle require further investigation. This study is designed as a single-center, two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. A total of 40 participants with non-specific neck pain will be recruited and randomly allocated into two equal groups. Group A will receive Contrology training, and Group B will receive conventional physiotherapy. The intervention period will be 12 weeks. Participants will be assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. The primary outcome will be craniovertebral angle, measured using standardized lateral-view digital photography. Secondary outcomes will include pain intensity measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, neck-related disability measured by the Neck Disability Index, and cervical range of motion measured using a digital inclinometer and/or universal goniometer. The study will compare changes within each group over time and between groups to determine the effectiveness of Contrology training compared with conventional physiotherapy. These points match your thesis protocol: randomized trial, 40 participants, Contrology versus conventional physiotherapy, and outcomes including NPRS, NDI, CVA, and cervical ROM assessed across baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks.
Interventions
OTHERContrology Training
Contrology training is a Pilates-based exercise program emphasizing concentration, control, centering, breathing, precision, and flowing movement. Participants will perform supervised exercises targeting postural correction, cervical and thoracic mobility, deep cervical flexor activation, scapular stabilization, core control, and controlled breathing for 12 weeks.
OTHERConventional Physiotherapy
Conventional physiotherapy will include routine exercise-based management for non-specific neck pain, including cervical range of motion exercises, stretching, strengthening exercises, postural correction, and patient education. Treatment will be provided for 12 weeks.
Sponsors
Riphah International University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
The outcomes assessor and Patients will be blinded to group allocation.
Intervention model description
This is a two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Participants will be allocated into either the Contrology training group or the conventional physiotherapy group.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 to 40 years. * Participants diagnosed with non-specific neck pain. * Neck pain duration of at least 4 weeks. * Numeric Pain Rating Scale score of at least 3 out of 10. * Craniovertebral angle less than 49 degrees. * Participants willing to provide informed consent and attend the treatment sessions.
Exclusion criteria
* Cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy. * Cervical spinal stenosis. * History of cervical spine fracture, trauma, or surgery. * Inflammatory joint disease or systemic rheumatologic disorder. * Neurological disorders affecting neck movement or posture. * Vestibular disorders or severe balance problems. * Any serious medical condition preventing participation in exercise-based treatment. * Current participation in another neck pain rehabilitation program.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Craniovertebral Angle | Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks | Craniovertebral angle will be measured using standardized lateral-view digital photography. The angle will be calculated between a horizontal line passing through the C7 spinous process and a line connecting C7 to the tragus of the ear. A higher craniovertebral angle indicates improved head and neck posture, while a lower angle indicates greater forward head posture. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Numeric Pain Rating Scale | Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks | Pain intensity will be measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Participants will rate their neck pain on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst possible pain. A lower score indicates less pain. |
| Neck Disability Index | Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks | Neck-related disability will be measured using the Neck Disability Index. The questionnaire includes 10 sections related to pain and daily activities. Higher scores indicate greater neck-related disability, while lower scores indicate less disability. |
| Cervical Range of Motions | Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks | These will be assessed with a Universal goniometer |
Countries
Pakistan
Contacts
CONTACTAmna Zia, PhD*
CONTACTSamrood Akram, PhD*
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORAmna Zia
Mayo Hospital/ College of Physiotherapy, King Edward Medical University, Lahore
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORAilia Abbas
Riphah International University, Lahore
Outcome results
None listed