An observational study in Elderly (People Aged 65 or More), sponsored by Suleyman Demirel University. Enrolling by invitation at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 65 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-11-20.
Sponsored by Suleyman Demirel University · Observational
Aging is a progressive and irreversible process characterized by changes occurring at the cellular level, in organs and systems. Kinesiophobia in older adults is defined as a condition in which an individual is unable to perform movement due to fear of pain or injury. Studies have shown that with increasing age, kinesiophobia also increases, leading to a decrease in physical activity. In older individuals with chronic neck pain, significant relationships have been found between kinesiophobia, proprioceptive position error (JPE), and functional performance. Kinesiophobia is strongly associated with pain intensity and stands out as an important factor that negatively affects proprioceptive perception and functional performance, particularly in neck extension and rotation movements (for example, handgrip strength).
In summary, decreased proprioception in older adults may lead to reduced functional fitness and increased kinesiophobia. This may cause the individual to avoid movement, leading to a vicious cycle in which proprioceptive sense and functional capacity further deteriorate. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between cervical pain, functional fitness, and kinesiophobia according to the level of cervical proprioceptive awareness in healthy older adults.At least 60 individuals with high proprioceptive awareness and 60 individuals with low cervical proprioceptive awareness will be included in the study. First, a sociodemographic data form will be completed. The Standardized Mini-Mental Test will be administered to assess the participants' cognitive functions. Then, the Cervical Joint Position Error Test will be used to evaluate the sense of position in the neck region. The Geriatric Pain Scale will be applied to assess the participants' pain levels; this scale is used to evaluate the intensity, quality, and impact of pain on daily living activities in older adults. Finally, the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia will be used to assess fear of movement. Participants will complete the 17-item self-report questionnaire under the supervision of a physiotherapist.
1,232 studies on the registry are indexed under Neck Pain; 255 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 120 is above the median of 90 across 213 observational studies indexed under Neck Pain.
Browse Neck Pain studies →Suleyman Demirel University is the lead sponsor of 123 studies on the registry; 36 are open to participants now.
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Older adults over 65 years with high cervical proprioceptive awareness in the study group
Exclusion Criteria:
In this study, several standardized assessments will be administered to evaluate different physical and cognitive parameters of older adults. Cognitive functions will be assessed using the Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT). Cervical proprioceptive awareness will be measured with the Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPE), which uses a laser-guided system to assess joint position sense. Pain intensity, quality, and its impact on daily living activities will be evaluated with the Geriatric Pain Scale (GPS). Physical fitness parameters such as strength, balance, flexibility, and agility will be measured through the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), which includes multiple functional subtests. Finally, fear of movement related to pain will be assessed using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK). All assessments will be conducted by a physiotherapist under standardized testing conditions.
Other: Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPE)
In this study, several standardized assessments will be administered to evaluate different physical and cognitive parameters of older adults. Cognitive functions will be assessed using the Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT). Cervical proprioceptive awareness will be measured with the Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPE), which uses a laser-guided system to assess joint position sense. Pain intensity, quality, and its impact on daily living activities will be evaluated with the Geriatric Pain Scale (GPS). Physical fitness parameters such as strength, balance, flexibility, and agility will be measured through the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), which includes multiple functional subtests. Finally, fear of movement related to pain will be assessed using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK). All assessments will be conducted by a physiotherapist under standardized testing conditions.
Other: Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPE)
The Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPE) is a clinical assessment used to evaluate cervical proprioceptive awareness by measuring how accurately a person can reposition their head to a neutral position after active neck movements. During the test, a laser pointer attached to the participant's head projects onto a target, and the difference between the starting and returning points is recorded. Smaller errors indicate better proprioceptive control and joint position sense in the cervical region.
Cervical Joint Position Error Test
The Cervical Joint Position Error Test is a clinical assessment used to evaluate cervical proprioceptive awareness by measuring how accurately a person can reposition their head to a neutral position after active neck movements. During the test, a laser pointer attached to the participant's head projects onto a target, and the difference between the starting and returning points is recorded. Smaller errors indicate better proprioceptive control and joint position sense in the cervical region.
Time frame: one day
Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPE)
The Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPE) is a clinical assessment used to evaluate cervical proprioceptive awareness by measuring how accurately a person can reposition their head to a neutral position after active neck movements. During the test, a laser pointer attached to the participant's head projects onto a target, and the difference between the starting and returning points is recorded. Smaller errors indicate better proprioceptive control and joint position sense in the cervical region.
Time frame: 1 day
Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT)
The Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT) is a brief cognitive assessment tool used to evaluate various aspects of mental function in older adults. It measures domains such as orientation, attention, memory, language, and visuospatial abilities, providing an overall score out of 30 points. Higher scores indicate normal cognitive function, while lower scores suggest different levels of cognitive impairment. The test takes approximately 10 minutes to administer and is widely used for screening cognitive status, particularly in identifying mild to severe cognitive decline.
Time frame: one day
Geriatric Pain Scale
The Geriatric Pain Scale (GPS) is an assessment tool designed to evaluate pain intensity, quality, and its impact on daily living activities in older adults. It consists of multiple items that explore the frequency, duration, and nature of pain, as well as movement limitations and pain management strategies. The scale helps clinicians understand the overall pain experience of elderly individuals and its effect on their functional abilities. It is easy to administer, typically taking about 5-10 minutes, and provides valuable insight for developing appropriate pain management interventions.
Time frame: one day
Senior Fitness Test (SFT)
The Senior Fitness Test (SFT) is a comprehensive assessment used to evaluate the physical fitness of older adults. It measures key components such as muscle strength, flexibility, balance, agility, and cardiovascular endurance through a series of functional subtests, including chair stands, arm curls, walking tests, and reach or flexibility tasks. The SFT provides objective information about an individual's functional abilities, helping to identify areas that may benefit from targeted exercise or rehabilitation programs.
Time frame: one day
Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia
The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) is a self-report questionnaire designed to assess fear of movement or reinjury due to pain. It consists of 17 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale, measuring the degree to which individuals avoid physical activity because of pain-related anxiety. The TSK helps clinicians identify patients at risk of activity limitation and guides interventions to reduce fear-avoidance behaviors, ultimately supporting improved functional outcomes.
Time frame: one day
Plan to share: No
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Suleyman Demirel University