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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04051593

Effects of Cervical Stabilization Exercise in Violinists With Chronic Neck Pain

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of a 6-week cervical stabilization exercise program in university violin players with chronic nonspecific neck pain.

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Key information

Conditions

Neck Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

National Cheng Kung University

Tainan, 701, Taiwan

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • duration of playing the instrument longer than 5 years
  • practicing the violin more than 5 hours/week
  • constant neck pain for more than 3 months or at least 2 pain episodes in the last 3 months

Exclusion criteria

  • previous surgery in the neck and shoulder regions
  • current participation in a structured exercises program
  • current treatment for neck and shoulder pain
  • red flags suggesting of cancer, infection, vascular insufficiency, and etc. during history taking
  • neurological symptoms of the upper extremities during screening tests (e.g. Spurling test and upper limb tension tests)

Treatment and study plan

Cervical stabilization exercise

Other

The participants followed instructional videos and performed the cervical stabilization exercise program at home for 20 minutes/day, 3 days/week, for 6 weeks.

Primary outcomes

  1. Changes in self-reported neck pain: Numeric Rating Scale

    Time frame: Pre-test 1 (week 0), Pre-test 2 (week 4) and Post-test (week 10)

    Measured by the Numeric Rating Scale (min 0-max 10, better outcome 0 worst outcome 10)

  2. Changes in neck disability

    Time frame: Pre-test 1 (week 0), Pre-test 2 (week 4) and Post-test (week 10)

    Measured by the Neck Disability Index (10-item questionnaire, each item scored from 0 to 5, result expressed as percentage, better outcome 0 worst outcome 100%)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Changes in deep neck flexors function

    Time frame: Pre-test 1 (week 0), Pre-test 2 (week 4) and Post-test (week 10)

    Measured by the craniocervical flexion test with a pressure biofeedback unit (higher pressure represents better outcome)

  2. Changes in cervical muscle endurance

    Time frame: Pre-test 1 (week 0), Pre-test 2 (week 4) and Post-test (week 10)

    Measured using a stopwatch for the successful time holding the head in cervical flexion and extension positions (longer time represent better outcome)

  3. Changes in cervical joint position sense

    Time frame: Pre-test 1 (week 0), Pre-test 2 (week 4) and Post-test (week 10)

    Measured by the cervcal joint reposition error with a laser pointer (short distance represent better outcome)

  4. Changes in upper body posture

    Time frame: Pre-test 1 (week 0), Pre-test 2 (week 4) and Post-test (week 10)

    Evaluated by the photographic method

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National Cheng Kung University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Cervical Stabilization Exercises Improved Pain, Disability, and Physical Impairments in University Violinists With Nonspecific Neck Pain

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Aug 9, 2019
Registry last updated
Sep 21, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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