An interventional study of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization exercises and Deep Cervical Muscle exercises in Non-specific Neck Pain, sponsored by Tokyo Metropolitan University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Japan. Open to participants aged 20 Years to 45 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-03-24.
Sponsored by Tokyo Metropolitan University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
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:
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.
1,233 studies on the registry are indexed under Neck Pain; 256 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 42 is below the median of 51 across 1,005 interventional studies indexed under Neck Pain.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants will perform three DNS exercise positions based on their ability: the 3-month prone developmental position, the 6-month developmental position, and the quadruped position. Each position will be done 3-6 repetitions and actively held for 30 to 60 seconds. Participants will perform both exercises at home twice daily, adjusting based on their ability and ensuring they do not experience pain.
Other: Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization exercises
Participants will perform two types of exercises: Deep Cervical Flexor Training and Deep Cervical Extensor Training. For flexor training, they will lie on their back with a small towel under the suboccipital region and slowly move their head to the inner range. This will be done in sets of 10 repetitions with a 30-second rest between sets. For extensor training, they will sit upright with their hands folded below the occiput, pushing into extension against their hands and holding the posture as long as possible. This exercise consists of 3 sets of 6 repetitions, with a 6-second rest between repetitions and a 30-seconds break between sets. Participants will perform both exercises at home twice in 6 days a week, adjusting based on their ability and ensuring they do not experience pain.
Other: Deep Cervical Muscle exercises
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 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.
Change of muscle fat infiltration in the flexor and extensor muscles
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.
Time frame: 16 weeks
Change of disability level
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.
Time frame: 16 weeks
Change of posture
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.
Time frame: 16 weeks
Plan to share: No
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This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Mar 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Tokyo Metropolitan University