Motion Analysis in Young Adults With Neck Pain: Impact of Cranio-Cervical Flexion Training

September 19, 2025 updated by: HATİCE ÇETİN, Hacettepe University

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the immediate effects of cranio-cervical flexion exercises and correct posture training on upper extremity and trunk kinematics during functional activities in young adults with neck pain.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does the immediate cranio-cervical flexion and posture training improve postural control and induce immediate changes in individuals with neck pain?
Does this training intervention enhance functional movement and daily activity performance from a kinematic analysis perspective?

Participants will:

Undergo a baseline assessment, where sociodemographic and physical data will be recorded using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the Neck Disability Index (NDI).

Receive cranio-cervical flexion and correct posture training as an intervention, after which the evaluation will proceed immediately.

Perform functional activities (typing, talking on the phone, eating, lifting a load), with each activity being repeated three times, and these will be evaluated using 3D kinematic analysis with the Movella XSens (MVN Awinda) system.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Other: The immediate craniocervical flexion and correct posture training

Detailed Description

The motivation for this study stems from the observation that previous research has primarily focused on the long-term effects of craniocervical flexion exercises, while the immediate effects of such exercises have not been explored. Craniocervical flexion exercises and correct posture training have been shown to be effective in reducing neck pain and improving functionality. Therefore, this study aims to examine the immediate impact of craniocervical flexion exercises and correct posture training on upper extremity and trunk kinematics during functional activities.This study aimed to examine the immediate effects of cranio-cervical flexion exercises and correct posture training on upper extremity and trunk kinematics during functional activities in individuals with neck pain. The study was a cross-sectional design conducted at XXX University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, and was approved by the university's ethics committee (FTREK 24/117).

A total of 28 young adults (aged 18-35) with chronic neck pain participated in the study. Participants were selected based on specific inclusion criteria, including a minimum Neck Disability Index (NDI) score of 20%. Individuals with congenital or acquired spinal deformities, herniated discs, neurological or vestibular disorders, and pregnant individuals were excluded. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: one group received immediate cranio-cervical flexion and correct posture training, while the other group followed their routine daily activities. At the end of the study, the second group also received the same training program.

The study consisted of three phases: baseline assessment, immediate training intervention, and post-training assessment. During the baseline phase, sociodemographic, physical, and pain-related data were collected. In the immediate training intervention phase, participants in the intervention group were instructed in cranio-cervical flexion exercises and correct posture training. In the post-training phase, functional tasks such as typing, phone conversation, heavy load lifting, and eating were performed. Kinematic changes during these tasks were assessed using a 3D inertial measurement system (Movella XSens), which is well-regarded for its reliability in biomechanical research.

Sample size calculation using G*Power software indicated that a total of 28 participants (14 per group) was sufficient to achieve 80% statistical power with an alpha level of 0.05. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 26.0 to assess the immediate effects of the cranio-cervical flexion and posture training on kinematic parameters during the functional tasks.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Phase

Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

Turkey (Türkiye)
- - Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye), 06800
    - Hacettepe University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Willingness to voluntarily participate in the study,
Being between 18 and 35 years old,
Having an initial Neck Disability Index (NDI) score of at least 20%,
Experiencing neck pain for at least 6 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

Unwillingness to participate in the study voluntarily,• Unwillingness to participate in the study voluntarily,
Having neurological, orthopedic, musculoskeletal and/or vestibular disorders,
A history of cervical spine surgery,
Receiving exercise or physical therapy interventions within the last 6 months,
Having congenital and/or acquired spinal deformities,
Being pregnant.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single

Number of Arms

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Other: Trained Group In the trained group, participants received immediate instruction on craniocervical flexion exercises and correct posture. They were guided through the exercises and provided feedback to ensure proper technique and activation of the deep cervical flexor muscles.The craniocervical flexion and correct posture training were given immediately during the assessment, with no follow-up sessions or long-term interventions. The focus was solely on providing the training at that moment, without any prolonged or repeated exercises.	Other: The immediate craniocervical flexion and correct posture training The craniocervical flexion and correct posture training were given immediately during the assessment, with no follow-up sessions or long-term interventions. The focus was solely on providing the training at that moment, without any prolonged or repeated exercises.
No Intervention: Untrained group

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Other: Trained Group

In the trained group, participants received immediate instruction on craniocervical flexion exercises and correct posture. They were guided through the exercises and provided feedback to ensure proper technique and activation of the deep cervical flexor muscles.The craniocervical flexion and correct posture training were given immediately during the assessment, with no follow-up sessions or long-term interventions. The focus was solely on providing the training at that moment, without any prolonged or repeated exercises.

Other: The immediate craniocervical flexion and correct posture training

The craniocervical flexion and correct posture training were given immediately during the assessment, with no follow-up sessions or long-term interventions. The focus was solely on providing the training at that moment, without any prolonged or repeated exercises.

No Intervention: Untrained group

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (Pain Assesment) Time Frame: At baseline	This form will assess participants' pain levels using the 11-point Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), which has been proven reliable in patients with neck pain. Participants will be asked to select a number that best represents their current pain intensity. The scale ranges from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 represents "the worst imaginable pain."	At baseline
Neck Disability Index (Neck Disability Assesment) Time Frame: At baseline	This form will assess participants' disability levels related to neck pain. Total scores range from 0 to 50, with higher scores indicating greater disability. Scores are categorized as: 'no disability' (0), 'mild disability' (1-10), 'moderate disability' (11-20), 'severe disability' (21-30), and 'complete disability' (31-50). The assessment includes factors such as pain intensity, difficulties with personal care, lifting capacity, reading, headaches, work-related challenges, driving difficulties, sleep disturbances, and the impact on leisure activities.	At baseline
Physical and Sociodemographic Outcomes Time Frame: At baseline	Participants' sociodemographic and physical characteristics, as well as details related to neck pain, were recorded. Collected data included birth date, age, gender, profession, education level, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), dominant side, and the presence of chronic diseases. Additionally, information about neck pain was gathered, including its onset, times of the day when it intensifies, whether it is continuous or intermittent, and the difficulties experienced in daily life activities due to the pain.	At baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Hacettepe University

Investigators

Principal Investigator: HATİCE ÇETİN, Assist, Prof, Hacettepe University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 15, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 1, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

July 20, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 11, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 11, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

March 18, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

September 24, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 19, 2025

Last Verified

September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

XSNP

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Condition or Disease: Neck Pain

Dow University of Health Sciences

Active, not recruiting

Effect of Diode Laser and 20% Benzocaine Anesthetic Gel on Pain Reduction Following Tooth Separation With Elastomeric Separators in Fixed Orthodontic Patients: A Randomized Trial in Karachi-Pakistan

Pain Reduction | We Are Not Studying a Disease or Condition

Pakistan
University Ghent

Completed

Changes in Surface EMG Activity After Dry Needling Compared to Sham Needling

Work-Related Condition | Neck Pain, Posterior

Belgium
Atılım University

Active, not recruiting

Accessory Movements and Associated Factors During Active Cervical Range of Motion

Neck Pain | Asymptomatic Condition

Turkey (Türkiye)
University of Monastir
Sana Salah; Amr Chaabeni

Not yet recruiting

AI Mobile App vs Self Exercises in Workers With Neck Pain

Neck Pain | Work-Related Condition
University of Minnesota

Completed

Nutritional Language Model (NLM)

No Disease State or Condition

United States
University of California, San Francisco

Terminated

UCSF Research Participant Registry

Healthy | Any Disease or Condition

United States
Atılım University

Completed

Factors Affecting Neck Posture in Academicians With Non-specific Neck Pain

Neck Pain | Work-Related Condition | Craniovertebral Angle

Turkey
IRCCS San Raffaele

Not yet recruiting

Optimizing Operational Parameters for Diagnostic Vitrectomy (CELLVIT)

No Disease or Condition is Being Studied
Charite University, Berlin, Germany

Recruiting

Effects of Forest Therapy on Physical and Psychological Parameters in the General Population - a Randomized Controlled Trial

General Population (no Specific Condition or Disease)

Germany
Disera Tıbbi Cihazlar Lojistik Sanayi ve Ticaret...

Completed

Evaluation of the Performance and Safety of VACUSERA® PRP Tubes in the Preparation of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

No Disease or Condition is Being Studied

Turkey (Türkiye)

Clinical Trials on The immediate craniocervical flexion and correct posture training

Riphah International University

Completed

Craniocervical Flexion Training for Reducing Migraine Headaches and Disability

Episodic Migraine Headache

Pakistan
Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences
Universidad de Zaragoza

Active, not recruiting

Mobility of the Cervical Spine in Patients With Unspecific Neck Pain

Neck Pain | Cervical Spine | Manual Therapy

Poland
Hacettepe University

Completed

Comprehensive Evaluation in Patients With Meniere's Disease

Quality of Life | Physical Disability | Psychosocial Problem | Meniere Disease

Turkey

Motion Analysis in Young Adults With Neck Pain: Impact of Cranio-Cervical Flexion Training

Study Overview

Status

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Study Type

Enrollment (Actual)

Phase

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Description

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Number of Arms

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure

Measure Description

Time Frame

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure

Measure Description

Time Frame

Collaborators and Investigators

Sponsor

Investigators

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Primary Completion (Actual)

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Posted (Actual)

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Verified

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

Clinical Trials on Condition or Disease: Neck Pain

Clinical Trials on The immediate craniocervical flexion and correct posture training

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in United Arab Emirates

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations