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NCT Number: NCT07683273

Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises and Chronic Non-spesifik Neck and Back Pain

Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises Added to Posture and Core Stabilization Training on Pain, Body Awareness and Cardiovascular Parameters in Women with Chronic Non-spesific Neck and Back Pain

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Key information

Conditions

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

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Karadeniz Technical University

Trabzon, Ortahisar, 61080, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This study aimed to investigate additional effect of diaphragmatic breathing exercises on pain, body awareness and cardiovascular parameters in women with chronic non-spesific neck and back pain

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Having a diagnosis of non-specific chronic neck pain (ICD-10: M54.2) and upper back pain (ICD-10: M54.6)
  • Having a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score of ≥ 3/10
  • Not having received physiotherapy treatment within the previous 3 months
  • Not being a regular smoker or alcohol user

Exclusion criteria

  • Having a history of cervical region surgery
  • Individuals with diagnostic codes other than M54.2 and M54.6 will be excluded from the study
  • Having a history of acute infection, major surgical intervention, or malignancy within the past three months
  • Having neurological, rheumatological, or respiratory system diseases
  • Being pregnant

Treatment and study plan

Diapragmatic Breathing

Other

In addition to postural and core stabilization exercises, participants in the intervention group will perform diaphragmatic breathing exercises over an 8-week period, with sessions conducted twice weekly. Each session will last approximately 40 minutes.

Control Group (A):

Other

Participants in the control group will receive a routine exercise program consisting of postural and core stabilization exercises for 8 weeks, performed twice weekly. Each session will last approximately 30 minutes.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain intensity

    Time frame: Baseline and at 8 weeks

    Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Participants will be asked to mark the point on a 10-cm scale that best represents the intensity of their pain, where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "the worst pain imaginable." The distance (in centimeters) from the 0 point to the participant's mark will be measured and recorded as the VAS score.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Body awareness

    Time frame: Baselien and at 8 weeks

    Participants' body awareness will be assessed using the Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ). The Turkish version of the questionnaire was adapted by Karaca (2017), who reported excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.91). The BAQ is an 18-item self-report instrument designed to assess individuals' awareness of their own body and internal bodily sensations. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("Never") to 7 ("Always"). Total scores range from 18 to 126, with higher scores indicating greater awareness of bodily signals.

  2. Blood pressure

    Time frame: Baseline and at 8 weeks

    Participants will be assessed in the seated position after at least 15 minutes of rest. Blood pressure measurements will be obtained twice from the right arm using a manual sphygmomanometer. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure values will be recorded.

  3. Heart rate

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks

    Resting heart rate will be measured using a fingertip pulse oximeter

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Hacettepe University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises Added to Posture and Core Stabilization Training on Pain, Body Awareness and Cardiovascular Parameters in Women With Chronic Non-spesific Neck and Back Pain

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jul 6, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 6, 2026

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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