ClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT06877728Updated Mar 14, 2025

Comparative Effect of Neck Isometrics and Deep Cervical Flexion Exercises on Neck Pain Among Breastfeeding Females.

An interventional study of Neck isometric exercises: 3 times weekly for 6 consecutive weeks (18 sessions) in Neck Pain, Range of Motion and Muscle Weakness, sponsored by Riphah International University. Completed at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to female participants aged 25 Years to 40 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-03-14.

Sponsored by Riphah International University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Registered 1 year after the study started (first participant enrolled Feb 2024, registered Mar 2025).
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
48
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
25 Years to 40 Years
Sex
Female
01

Where this study stands

Counted across the records on this site · 2026-11-13

Among 123 studies in Neck Pain by Riphah International University — 31 open to participants now, 31 under way, none of them phase 3. Neck Pain · Riphah International University.

Enrollment
30th of 117
48 · median 40
Started
2024
with 13 others
No phase
117 of 123
31 open now
Registered
92nd of 123
by date

Among the 123 studies in Neck Pain by Riphah International University, this one is the 30th largest by enrollment of the 117 interventional ones that give a count, is one of 14 that started in 2024, is one of 117 with no phase, and was the 92nd registered.

Neck Pain

1,361 studies on the registry are indexed under Neck Pain; 300 are open to participants now.

Browse Neck Pain studies →

Open to participants now

31 of the 123 studies in Neck Pain by Riphah International University are open now, in 1 country. Recruiting first, the newest first:

26 more — sign in →

By country, each count listing its studies:

All 31 open studies →

Where they have run

Who these studies take

Of the 155 Neck Pain studies recruiting now, 25 (16%) set no upper age limit and 117 (75%) stop at 75 or younger; 8 take children under 18; 26 take healthy volunteers.

This study: 25 Years to 40 Years · female · healthy volunteers too.

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02

Study summary

Neck pain is a common complaint among breastfeeding females, potentially attributed to sustained postures and muscle imbalance. Breastfeeding females experiencing neck pain, aged between 18-40 years, will be recruited through local healthcare facilities and community outreach. The physical demands of breastfeeding, such as prolonged postures and repetitive movements, can contribute to the development of musculoskeletal issues in the cervical region.

Despite the prevalence of neck discomfort among breastfeeding females, there is a paucity of research exploring effective exercise interventions tailored to this specific population. Mothers' awareness of proper nursing positions during breastfeeding may have positive impact on the connection between mother and baby. Most typical positions for nursing a baby are cross cradle hold, cradle hold, side lying and football hold. Most common adapted breastfeeding position is cross cradle.

Read the detailed description

A randomized control trial will be conducted to assess and compare the effectiveness of neck isometrics and deep cervical flexion exercises in alleviating neck pain, reducing disability, improving range of motion, and addressing muscle weakness in breastfeeding females. A sample size of 48 lactating women will be taken. Data will be collected from private clinical setups of Bahawalpur by using (NPRS) Numeric Pain Rating Scale Questionnaire, (NDI) Neck Disability Index, Range of motion will be assessed by inclinometer and Muscle strength will be assessed by MMT. A written consent form will be taken from participants meeting inclusion criteria and will be randomly allocated into two groups of equal members. Group A will be given Neck Isometric Exercises and Conservative treatment for 30 min (3-4days/week) of duration for total 6 weeks.

Group B will be given Deep Cervical Flexion Exercises with conservative treatment. The interventions will be provided for 30 minutes for 3-4 Day/week for 6 weeks. All participants in both groups will be evaluated before and after the treatment programs. Outcome measures will be calculated after 6 weeks of intervention. Data will be analyzed by using SPSS 21

03

Conditions studied

  • Neck Pain
  • Range of Motion
  • Muscle Weakness
  • Breastfeeding

Keywords

  • Neck pain
  • range of motion
  • Muscle weakness
  • Breastfeeding
04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
25 Years to 40 Years
Sexes eligible
Female
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Between the ages of 25 to 40 years
  • Mode of delivery (vaginal/c-section)
  • Severe neck weakness (above grade III)
  • Primigravida

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Previous history of upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms
  • Radicular neck pain
  • History of inflammatory disease (myelopathy)
  • History of cervical fracture
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
48 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Isometric exercises with conservative treatment

    Will receive Neck isometrics exercises with conservative treatment. Neck isometric exercises: 3 times weekly for 6 consecutive weeks (18 sessions) Duration: 10 to 15 repetitions with 3 sets, and 6 sec hold in flexion, extension and side flexion on both right and left.

    Other: Neck isometric exercises: 3 times weekly for 6 consecutive weeks (18 sessions)

  • Other
    Deep cervical flexion exercises with conservative treatment

    Will Deep cervical flexion exercises without conservative treatment. Deep cervical flexion exercises: 3 times weekly for 6 consecutive weeks (18 session) Duration: 10 to 15 repetitions with 3 sets, 30 sec rest given between each set. Exercise should target on deep cervical muscle rather than superficial muscle. Exercise should be conducted in supine position.

    Other: Neck isometric exercises: 3 times weekly for 6 consecutive weeks (18 sessions)

Interventions

  • OtherNeck isometric exercises: 3 times weekly for 6 consecutive weeks (18 sessions)

    Neck isometric exercises: 3 times weekly for 6 consecutive weeks (18 sessions) Duration: 10 to 15 repetitions with 3 sets, and 6 sec hold in flexion, extension and side flexion on both right and left.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. 1. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

    A Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a commonly used self-report measure to assess pain intensity. It typically involves asking individuals to rate their pain on a numerical scale. Below is a suggested format for a Numeric Pain Rating Scale questionnaire along with instructions and scoring guidelines. Scoring: Ask participants to circle the number on the scale that corresponds to their current pain intensity. The score is a single numeric value ranging from 0 to 10, with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating the worst imaginable pain. The higher the score, the greater the perceived pain intensity. The NPRS is a widely used subjective pain measure that has good test-retest reliability (r=. 79-. 96)

    Time frame: 8 Weeks

  2. NECK DISABILITY INDEX QUESTIONNARE

    The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a widely used self-report questionnaire designed to assess disability related to neck pain. The questionnaire consists of 10 items that measure various aspects of daily activities affected by neck pain. Each item is scored on a 0 to 5 scale, and the total score is expressed as a percentage, with 0 indicating "no disability" and 5 indicating "complete disability. Format: 10 items evaluating concerns relating to neck pain. The participant selects the number that best describes their level of disability for each activity. The NDI has a fair to moderate test-retest reliability in patients with mechanical neck pain, intra class correlations can change between 0,50 and 0,98 (

    Time frame: 8 Weeks

  3. INCLINOMETER NECK ROM:

    An inclinometer is a device used to measure the range of motion (ROM) of joints, including the neck, an inclinometer is often applied to measure flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation of the cervical spine. The digital inclinometer demonstrated excellent reliability (ICC=0.75-0.86), except for the right lateral flexion (ICC=0.74) and left rotation (ICC=0.72)

    Time frame: 8 Weeks

  4. MANUAL MUSCLE TESTING FOR MUSCLE WEAKNESS:

    Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) is a clinical and functional assessment technique used by healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists and physicians, to evaluate muscle strength and identify potential muscle weakness. It involves the application of resistance against a person's voluntary muscle contraction, and the resulting force is graded on a scale. 5/5: Normal strength (complete range of motion against gravity with full resistance) 4/5: Good strength (complete range of motion against gravity with moderate resistance) 3/5: Fair strength (complete range of motion against gravity with no resistance) 2/5: Poor strength (partial range of motion against gravity) 1/5: Trace movement (a flicker or trace of movement, but no joint motion) 0/5: No movement (complete paralysis)(

    Time frame: 8 Weeks

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Jinnah Hospital
    Lahore, Punjab 56700, Pakistan
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Ran from Feb 2024 to primary completion in Feb 2025, 12 months.

Of 763 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Neck Pain, half reached primary completion within 7 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 3 and three quarters within 15. This study's 12 months is above that.

Counting every sponsor, half of 772 studies reached it within 7 months; a quarter within 3 and three quarters within 15.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Mar 10, 2025
First posted
Mar 14, 2025
StartActual
Feb 15, 2024
Primary completionActual
Feb 15, 2025
CompletionActual
Feb 15, 2025
Last update
Mar 14, 2025
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Mar 14, 2025, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06877728
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Mar 14, 2025
Start date
Feb 15, 2024
Primary completion
Feb 15, 2025
Completion
Feb 15, 2025
Last update
Mar 14, 2025

Study contacts

Faiza Taufiq, PP-DPT
principal investigator · Riphah International University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Mar 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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