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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07566637

Effectiveness of LASER Therapy and PNF Technique in Neck Pain

This study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of low-intensity laser therapy, a photobiomodulation treatment, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on pain and disability in individuals with non-specific neck pain. This randomized controlled trial used the Numerical Pain Scale (primary outcome) and the Bournemouth Neck Pain Questionnaire to assess pain, a manual algometer to assess pain threshold, and the Neck Disability Index to assess disability. Three groups were included in this randomized controlled trial: Group 1: Photobiomodulation therapy (low-intensity laser therapy) + conventional physiotherapy; Group 2: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation with stretching and strengthening + conventional physiotherapy; Group 3: Conventional physiotherapy only. We hypothesized that low-intensity laser therapy and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation would have distinct effects on pain and disability in chronic non-specific neck pain.

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Key information

Conditions

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

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Istanbul Gedik University

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Volunteering to participate in the study
  • A neck pain score of at least 3 on the Numerical Pain Scale in the assessment conducted prior to inclusion in the study
  • A Neck Disability Index score of 5 or higher
  • No comorbid conditions affecting the orthopaedic, neurological or cardiopulmonary systems
  • Participants who have not been enrolled in another clinical trial within the last month

Exclusion criteria

  • Individuals who have undergone upper limb surgery (e.g. shoulder blade, shoulder, elbow, hand, wrist, etc.) within the last year
  • Individuals with a pacemaker or subcutaneous implant
  • Pregnant women or women who have recently given birth
  • Use of antidepressants, anti-inflammatory drugs or anxiolytics within the last 6 months

Treatment and study plan

Low-intensity Laser Therapy Treatment

Device

Low-dose laser therapy was administered twice a week for a total of 10 sessions using a Chattanoga Advance device, at a power of 100 mW and an energy dose of 4 J/cm², with each trigger point receiving treatment plus four additional points marked with a cross (Legouté et al. 2019).

Other names: Low-dose laser therapy, Photobiomodulation therapy, Low-level laser therapy

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Technique

Other

Stretching and strengthening exercises were performed twice a week for a total of 10 sessions on the scalene, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, intercostal and serratus anterior muscles, and three times a week for 10 minutes (including the neck extensors). The specific method involved the 'hold-release' technique for 10 repetitions of PNF stretching and the maximum isometric contraction technique for strengthening (Liu et al. 2021; Cruz-Montecinos et al. 2017).

Other names: PNF

Conventional Physiotherapy

Other

Conventional physiotherapy involved traditional heat therapy, pain-relieving electrical stimulation and neck exercises.

Primary outcomes

  1. Numerical Pain Scale

    Time frame: at baseline and week 5

    It was used to assess neck pain. Pain is assessed using a rating scale of 1-10. Higher scores indicate more severe pain.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pressure-Pain Threshold Measurement

    Time frame: at baseline and week 5

    A manual algometer was used to assess the pain threshold. The pain threshold increases as the amount of pressure applied increases in kilograms.

  2. The Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire

    Time frame: at baseline and week 5

    The study was used to assess the severity of neck pain, functional limitations, and biopsychosocial factors. This indicates that neck pain has a greater impact on the person's life (high level of limitation/pain).

  3. The Neck Disability Index

    Time frame: at baseline and week 5

    It was used to examine disability. An increase in the score means an increase in disability.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Istanbul Gedik University

Other

Collaborators

  • Medipol University

Registry information

Official study title

Low-Intensity Laser Therapy Versus Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation for Pain and Disability in Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
May 5, 2026
Registry last updated
May 5, 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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