An interventional study of Cervical Force Control Training and Conventional Exercise Training in Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain and Neck Pain, sponsored by Cairo University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Egypt. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 24 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-11.
Sponsored by Cairo University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Among 63 studies in Neck Pain by Cairo University — 30 open to participants now, 32 under way, none of them phase 3. Neck Pain · Cairo University.
Among the 63 studies in Neck Pain by Cairo University, this one is the 48th largest by planned enrollment of the 51 interventional ones, is one of 14 that started in 2026, is one of 51 with no phase, reaches primary completion later than 26 of the 31 other live ones, and was the 62nd registered.
1,360 studies on the registry are indexed under Neck Pain; 299 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 32 is below the median of 50 across 1,116 interventional studies indexed under Neck Pain.
Browse Neck Pain studies →30 of the 63 studies in Neck Pain by Cairo University are open now, in 2 countries. Each count lists the studies.
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: 18 Years to 24 Years · all sexes · no healthy volunteers.
The full table on the hub →63 studies; the count open now beside each. This study's row is marked.
First in 2018; this study’s year is marked. 14 started in 2026.
Median enrollment 60 across the 51 interventional studies, 118 across the 12 observational. Of the 24 that completed or were terminated, 0 (0%) have results posted.
Cairo University is the lead sponsor of 4,941 studies on the registry; 1,458 are open to participants now.
Of its 37 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 5 (14%) have results posted.
7 of the studies in Neck Pain by Cairo University that are under way reach primary completion within a year, 0 of them phase 3. Phase 3 first, then by date:
| Study | Primary completion |
|---|---|
| NCT07260019Cairo UniversityINSTRUMENT ASSISSTED SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION VERSUS DRY CUPPING ON UPPER TRAPEZIUS TRIGGER POINTS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL | 2026-11 |
| NCT07813871Cairo UniversityEffect of Cervical Force Control Training on Force Sense and Steadiness in Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain | 2026-12 |
| NCT07699458Cairo UniversityImpact of Adding Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique to Cervical Stabilization Exercise in Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain | 2026-12-10 |
| NCT07302958Cairo UniversityTelerehabilitation, Face-to-Face Exercises, and a Mixed Model in Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain | 2026-12-31 |
| NCT07906847Cairo UniversityCorrelation Between Forward Head Posture and Executive Functions in Cervical Radiculopathy | 2027-01 |
Among the 63 studies in Neck Pain by Cairo University, from their registry updates:
Chronic non-specific neck pain (CNSNP) is a very common issue among young adults, often linked to poor posture, prolonged screen time, and sedentary habits. This persistent pain can change how the neck muscles work and control movement. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a specific type of rehabilitation-called "cervical force control training"-can help improve how well people can feel and control their neck muscle strength, and whether this reduces their pain and improves their daily function.
Researchers will invite young adults (18 to 24 years old) who have had neck pain for at least 3 months to participate. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups:
Force Control Training Group: Will receive a new training program that uses a handheld dynamometer with a screen to help them practice holding steady, precise neck muscle contractions with visual feedback.
Conventional Exercise Group: Will receive a standard physical therapy program consisting of neck muscle stretches and shoulder-blade strengthening exercises.
Both groups will perform their exercises 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Researchers will measure participants' neck muscle steadiness, pain levels, and neck disability before the program starts, right after the 8-week program ends, and again at a 3-month follow-up to evaluate the long-lasting effects.
Chronic non-specific neck pain (CNSNP) involves persistent cervical pain without an identifiable structural pathology. Recent evidence suggests that CNSNP is closely associated with sensorimotor control deficits, including impaired proprioception and diminished force steadiness (the neuromuscular ability to produce and sustain precise submaximal force levels with minimal fluctuations). While conventional exercises improve strength and reduce pain, they often neglect the fine-motor precision and sensorimotor integration necessary for optimal neck function.
This randomized controlled trial (RCT) is designed to investigate the effect of cervical force control training compared to conventional neck exercises on force sense, force steadiness, pain intensity, and functional disability in young adults (18-24 years) with CNSNP.
Following baseline assessments for maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), force sense, and force steadiness (quantified by the coefficient of variation) using a Handheld Dynamometer (HHD), as well as clinical measures (VAS for pain, NDI for disability), eligible participants will be randomized into two groups:
Experimental Group (Force Control Training):
Participants will undergo an 8-week targeted training program (3 sessions/week, 30-40 mins each). The protocol utilizes submaximal isometric contractions with visual feedback via an HHD device paired with an application. The program progresses systematically through three phases: Phase 1 (Calibration \& Reference at MVIC), Phase 2 (Acquisition using descending submaximal intensities 25% to 10% MVIC with continuous visual tracking), and Phase 3 (Retention \& Transfer involving faded/no feedback and complex dual-tasking, such as auditory monitoring or arithmetic).
Control Group (Conventional Exercise Training):
Participants will undergo an 8-week program (3 sessions/week, 30 mins each) consisting of standard cervical stretching (upper trapezius and levator scapulae) and scapular strengthening/stabilization exercises (e.g., side-lying external rotation, side-lying forward flexion, prone extension, and push-up plus). Resistance will be tailored based on gender and body weight.
Re-evaluations will be conducted immediately post-intervention (at 8 weeks) and at a 3-month follow-up. The study aims to establish whether integrating specific force-control tasks offers superior benefits in restoring sensorimotor function and alleviating symptoms in patients with CNSNP compared to conventional rehabilitation alone.
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.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
A “mini-stroke”: temporary stroke-like symptoms caused by reduced blood flow to part of the brain, spinal cord or eye, without signs of a new stroke on a scan.
Stroke symptoms need emergency care at once, even if they go away.
A blood test of average blood sugar over the past two to three months, given as a percentage or in mmol/mol. 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or more is the usual threshold for diabetes, normally confirmed by a second test.
BMI (body mass index)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
TIA (transient ischaemic attack)
A “mini-stroke”: temporary stroke-like symptoms caused by reduced blood flow to part of the brain, spinal cord or eye, without signs of a new stroke on a scan.
Stroke symptoms need emergency care at once, even if they go away.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
HbA1c
A blood test of average blood sugar over the past two to three months, given as a percentage or in mmol/mol. 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or more is the usual threshold for diabetes, normally confirmed by a second test.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Patients in this group will receive an 8-week cervical force control training program (3 sessions/week). The training involves submaximal isometric neck contractions using visual feedback via a Handheld Dynamometer, progressing from simple feedback-assisted holds to complex dual-task exercises.
Behavioral: Cervical Force Control Training
Patients in this group will receive an 8-week conventional exercise program (3 sessions/week). The program includes standard cervical stretching (upper trapezius and levator scapulae) and scapular strengthening and stabilization exercises.
Behavioral: Conventional Exercise Training
An 8-week program (3 sessions/week, 30-40 mins each) utilizing submaximal isometric neck contractions with visual feedback via a Handheld Dynamometer. The protocol progresses through three phases: initial calibration, acquisition using descending target intensities (25% to 10% MVIC) with continuous visual tracking, and retention/transfer using faded or no feedback combined with dual-tasking (e.g., auditory monitoring or arithmetic).
An 8-week program (3 sessions/week, 30 mins each) consisting of standard cervical stretching for the upper trapezius and levator scapulae muscles, alongside scapular strengthening and stabilization exercises (e.g., side-lying external rotation, side-lying forward flexion, prone extension, and push-up plus). Resistance is tailored based on patient gender and body weight.
Cervical Force Sense
Assessed using a Handheld Dynamometer (HHD) during force reproduction tasks. It is measured by calculating the absolute error between a target submaximal force and the reproduced force without visual feedback. Lower error values indicate better force sense and proprioception.
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks (immediately post-intervention), and 3-month follow-up
Cervical Force Steadiness
Evaluated by calculating the Coefficient of Variation (CoV) of force during submaximal isometric cervical contractions using a Handheld Dynamometer (HHD). Lower CoV percentages indicate better force steadiness and neuromuscular control.
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks (immediately post-intervention), and 3-month follow-up
Neck Functional Disability (Neck Disability Index - NDI)
A 10-item patient-completed questionnaire assessing how neck pain affects the ability to manage everyday life activities. Total scores range from 0 to 50, which can be expressed as a percentage (0-100%). Higher scores indicate greater patient-rated functional disability.
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks (immediately post-intervention), and 3-month follow-up
Pain Intensity (Visual Analogue Scale - VAS)
Pain intensity is assessed using a 100-mm horizontal line, anchored by "no pain" at 0 mm and "worst imaginable pain" at 100 mm. Lower scores indicate a lower level of pain.
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks (immediately post-intervention), and 3-month follow-up
Plan to share: No
Start is estimated for Sep 2026; primary completion for Dec 2026, 3 months later.
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 planned 3 months is below 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.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Sep 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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