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NCT Number: NCT06891391

Comparison of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Exercises and Deep Cervical Muscle Exercises on Muscle Fat Infiltration in Individuals With Neck Pain

This clinical trial study aims to compare the effects of DNS (Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization) exercises and deep cervical muscle exercises on fat infiltration, disability, and posture in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain. The clinical questions of this study are as follows:

* Can DNS and deep cervical muscle exercises decrease muscle fat infiltration? * Can DNS and deep cervical muscle exercises improve neck disability? * Can DNS and deep cervical muscle exercises improve neck posture?

Researchers will compare DNS and deep cervical muscle exercises to people with non-specific neck pain. DNS exercises are hypothesized to significantly reduce fat infiltration and improve neck disability and neck posture compared to deep cervical muscle exercises.

The participants will undergo an MRI scan and clinical assessment, such as NDI (Neck Disability Index) and posture checking, before being randomly divided into two groups. The first group will perform DNS exercises, and the second group will engage in deep cervical muscle exercises. Both sets of exercises will be performed for 16 weeks as part of a daily routine. After the 16-week exercises, the participants will undergo a follow-up MRI, NDI, and posture checking.

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Key information

Conditions

Non-specific Neck Pain

Age range

20 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Tokyo Metropolitan University

Arakawa City, Tokyo, 116-0012, Japan

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Non-specific neck pain condition for three months or more
  • Mild to moderate disability ( more than 10% of NDI)
  • Mild to moderate pain level(2-8/10 of NRS)

Exclusion criteria

  • A history of spine surgery or cervical injury
  • Participated in a neck exercise program in the past three months
  • Upper extremity problems
  • Radiating pain, numbness, and weakness of the upper extremities
  • A detectable pathological spinal condition
  • Metabolic disorders, diabetes, and hypertension Obesity

Treatment and study plan

Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Exercises

Other

DNS is a method used to enhance muscle stability. It is a manual and rehabilitative approach based on developmental kinesiology to optimize the movement system. These exercises optimize internal muscle forces on each spinal segment.

Deep Cervical Muscle exercises

Other

Deep cervical muscle exercises are isometric exercises that strengthen weak muscles without causing discomfort to pain-sensitive structures like ligaments, tendons, or neck joints. This involves contracting specific muscles without changing muscle length or impeding joint movement.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change of muscle fat infiltration in the flexor and extensor muscles

    Time frame: 16 weeks

    All participants will be conducted a standard MRI of the cervical spine. They will be asked to lie on their backs and maintain a neutral cervical spine position without rotation, lateral flexion, or exaggerated lordosis. A neck coil will be used during the examination to enhance imaging accuracy. MRI will be performed using the SIGNA Premier 3.OT (GE Healthcare Japan) (Repetition time, 8000 ms; Excitation time, 102 ms; Voxel size, 0.4 x 0.4 mm; Field of view, 200 x 200 mm; Thickness, 3.5 mm). Specific neck muscles (Longus Colli + capitis, Multifidus, Semispinalis cervicis, Semispinalis capitis, and Splenius capitis + cervicis) will be mapped and analyzed for fatty infiltration using Miele-lxiv image processing software. The total fatty infiltration for bilateral muscles at different levels in the neck will be calculated.

  2. Change of disability level

    Time frame: 16 weeks

    The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a 10-question survey that measures how neck pain affects daily life. The patient rates their pain intensity, headaches, and difficulty with personal care, lifting, reading, concentration, work, driving, sleeping, and recreation. A change of 5%-10% is considered meaningful.

  3. Change of posture

    Time frame: 16 weeks

    Shisei-Karte is a Japanese AI-based website that analyzes posture using images. It assesses head posture, including forward and backward tilts and misalignment. The goal is to detect issues like forward head posture. The process has three steps: (1) participants register with basic details, (2) a side-view photo is taken, and (3) the AI analyzes and displays results in about 30 seconds.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Hardianty A.M Abduh, M. Sc

CONTACT

[email protected]

+819078806110

Hironobu Kuruma, Professor

CONTACT

[email protected]

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Tokyo Metropolitan University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Mar 24, 2025
Registry last updated
Mar 24, 2025

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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