The Effects of Oculomotor Training on Pain, Cervical Range of Motion, Joint Position Sense, Endurance, and Balance in Individuals With Mechanical Neck Pain

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of oculomotor training on pain, cervical range of motion, joint position sense, endurance and balance in individuals with mechanical neck pain.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Mechanical Neck Pain
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Oculomotor Exercises; Other: Posture Exercises; Other: Neck Stretching and Strengthing Exercises

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Zonguldak, Turkey, 67100
    • Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with mechanical neck pain
• Neck pain lasting longer than 3 weeks
• Individuals aged 18-50 years
• Score of 5 or higher on the Neck Disability Index

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having received physical therapy in the last 6 months
• Presence of congenital anomaly on cervical radiography
• Neurological deficit detected in physical examination
• Diagnosis of vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency
• Diagnosis of vestibular disease
• Presence of a rheumatic disease
• Presence of structural scoliosis
• History of spinal surgery
• Pregnancy
• Malignancy
• Eye disease/strabismus other than refractive errors
• Active use of anti-inflammatory medication
• Any mental condition that may prevent adherence to exercises

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Intervention Group; This group will be given a home program including isometric neck strengthening exercises, neck stretching exercises and posture exercises during the 6-week treatment period, and the control group will be given an additional oculomotor exercise program.	Other: Oculomotor Exercises; Oculomotor exercises are designed to improve eye movement control, coordination, and visual tracking.; Other: Posture Exercises; Postural exercises help strengthen core muscles, improve alignment, and enhance stability. They are essential for maintaining proper posture, preventing pain, and reducing the risk of musculoskeletal imbalances.; Other: Neck Stretching and Strengthing Exercises; Neck stretching and strengthening exercises help improve flexibility, reduce stiffness, and enhance muscle support for the cervical spine. They are beneficial for relieving neck pain, improving posture, and preventing injuries.
Active Comparator: Control Group; This group will be given a home program including isometric neck strengthening exercises, neck stretching exercises and posture exercises during the 6-week treatment period.	Other: Posture Exercises; Postural exercises help strengthen core muscles, improve alignment, and enhance stability. They are essential for maintaining proper posture, preventing pain, and reducing the risk of musculoskeletal imbalances.; Other: Neck Stretching and Strengthing Exercises; Neck stretching and strengthening exercises help improve flexibility, reduce stiffness, and enhance muscle support for the cervical spine. They are beneficial for relieving neck pain, improving posture, and preventing injuries.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Visual Analog Scale	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Neck Disability Index		From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Craniovertebral Angle		From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Cervical ROM	Flexion, extension, lert-right rotation, left-right lateral flexion will be measured.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Craniocervical Flexion Test	Endurance of the deep cervical flexor muscles will be measured.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Y Balance Test	Y Bavlance Test will be applied to test the ability to reach of upper extremity.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Beck Depression Inventory		From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 3, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 5, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): June 23, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 7, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 7, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): March 12, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 18, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 17, 2025
• Last Verified: March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Mechanical neck pain
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Neck Pain
• Other Study ID Numbers: BEUN-AKBAS-2

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No