An interventional study of Weightless map-based proprioceptive training and Weighted map-based proprioceptive training in Neck Pain and Chronic Neck Pain, sponsored by Hacettepe University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-28.
Sponsored by Hacettepe University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The purpose of this study is to find out whether adding an external load to a map-based cervical proprioceptive training program provides additional benefit for people with chronic neck pain. Adults aged 18-65 years with chronic neck pain were randomly allocated to two groups: one group performed map-based proprioceptive training without load (weightless group) and the other group performed the same training with a 2 kg load secured to the head with a band (weighted group). The main question is whether the added load improves cervical joint position sense (repositioning error). Shoulder joint position sense, scapular position (Lateral Scapular Slide Test), neck awareness (Fremantle Neck Awareness Questionnaire), neck disability (Neck Disability Index) and fear of movement (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia) were also assessed before and after the 8-week training period.
Chronic neck pain is associated with impaired cervical proprioception, which may contribute to altered movement control and persistence of symptoms. Map-based proprioceptive training, in which a laser pointer fixed to the forehead is used to trace simple and complex target patterns projected on a wall with head movements, is used to improve cervical sensorimotor control; however, it is not known whether adding an external load to this training enhances its effects.
In this single-center, parallel-group study conducted at Erciyes University Faculty of Sport Sciences, 30 adults with chronic neck pain were randomly allocated to a weighted group (n=15; training performed with a 2 kg load secured to the head with a band) or a weightless group (n=15; same training without load). Group allocation was performed by a person not involved in the assessments, and the outcome assessor was unaware of group allocation. Both groups trained 3 days per week for 8 weeks (about 30 minutes per session): approximately 10 minutes of map-based proprioceptive training followed by the same exercise program (neck isometric exercises, pectoral stretching, scapular and upper extremity stabilization exercises). The only difference between groups was the added load during proprioceptive training.
Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after the 8-week intervention: cervical joint position error (primary outcome), shoulder joint position sense, Lateral Scapular Slide Test (0, 45 and 90 degrees), Fremantle Neck Awareness Questionnaire, Neck Disability Index and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. Within-group changes were analyzed with paired tests and between-group differences with tests on change scores and analysis of covariance adjusted for baseline values.
The study was approved by the Erciyes University Clinical Research Ethics Committee (decision no. 2022/600) and supported by TUBITAK 2209-A.
1,360 studies on the registry are indexed under Neck Pain; 299 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 30 is below the median of 50 across 1,116 interventional studies indexed under Neck Pain.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants performed map-based cervical proprioceptive training without added load for 8 weeks.
Other: Weightless map-based proprioceptive training
Participants performed the same map-based cervical proprioceptive training with an additional load secured to the head with a band for 8 weeks.
Other: Weighted map-based proprioceptive training
Cervical proprioceptive training in which participants follow map/target patterns with head movements, performed without any added load, for 8 weeks.
The same map-based cervical proprioceptive training program, performed with an additional load secured to the head with a band, for 8 weeks.
Cervical joint position error
Cervical joint position sense assessed with the head repositioning (joint position error) test; the error between the starting and the reproduced head position is recorded. Lower values indicate better proprioception.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Shoulder joint position sense
Shoulder joint position sense assessed as the repositioning error (degrees) between the target and the reproduced shoulder angle, measured bilaterally. Lower values indicate better proprioception.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Lateral Scapular Slide Test (LSST)
Distance (cm) between the inferior angle of the scapula and the nearest thoracic spinous process, measured bilaterally at 0, 45 and 90 degrees of shoulder abduction.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Fremantle Neck Awareness Questionnaire (FreNAQ)
Self-reported body (neck) perception questionnaire with 9 items scored 0-4 (total 0-36); higher scores indicate more disturbed neck perception (worse outcome).
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
10-item questionnaire of neck pain-related disability, each item scored 0-5 (total 0-50); higher scores indicate greater disability (worse outcome).
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK)
17-item questionnaire of fear of movement/re-injury, each item scored 1-4 (total 17-68); higher scores indicate greater kinesiophobia (worse outcome).
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be publicly shared because participant consent did not cover public data sharing. De-identified data may be made available by the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Ran from Jan 2023 to primary completion in Jan 2024, 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.
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From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is completed, as verified in Oct 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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