Effects of Neck Stabilizers Retraining on Chronic Neck Pain (PBU)

May 15, 2026 updated by: Umber Nawaz, Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences

Effects of Deep Neck Stabilizers Retraining With Pressure Biofeedback on Cervical Pain, Range of Motion and Temporomandibular Dysfunction in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain

The present study aims to evaluate the effects of deep neck stabilizers retraining with pressure biofeedback on cervical range of motion, pain, and temporomandibular dysfunction in patients with chronic neck pain.

Participants will receive biofeedback-assisted deep neck flexor retraining in one group, while the other group will perform conventional exercises. The neurological connection between the TMJ and neck means that therapies such as neck flexion exercises and biofeedback can alleviate neck pain and jaw issues.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Chronic neck pain is increasingly affecting young adults in Pakistan. This rise is linked to poor posture, being overweight, aging, and various other factors. Weakness in deep neck muscles can affect neck stability. The craniocervical flexion test (CCFT) is useful for evaluating and engaging these muscles. The jaw joint (Temporomandibular joint) and the neck are closely connected through shared nerves. Therefore, problems in the neck can lead to jaw issues (pain and difficulty moving the jaw). Using biofeedback to train deep neck muscles helps improve muscle control, posture, and reduces stress on surface and jaw muscles, easing TMJ symptoms. However, many studies on deep neck stabilizer (DNS) exercises don't focus on jaw problems. This study utilizes pressure biofeedback to relieve pain, improve mobility, and reduce jaw tension by promoting better neck posture.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

70

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

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab Province
      • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan
        • Pakistan Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (PSRD)

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

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis: Chronic neck pain (duration more than 3 months and less than 1 year and 6 months)
  • TMJ Dysfunction (RCD TMJ Axis I Confirmation on Helkino Index) Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI) 20-65 score mild to moderate

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Traumatic neck injury
  • Neurological disorders
  • Cervical spine infection or surgery
  • Cancer

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: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Group 1 (Biofeedback-assisted deep neck flexor retraining )
Each session includes TENS and hot pack therapy, crook lying exercises with a 20 mmHg pressure biofeedback sensor, the Cranio-Cervical Flexion Test, and neck and shoulder stretches. Data will be collected at the initial point, after 3 weeks, and once more at the 6-week point.
Other: Biofeedback-assisted deep neck flexor retraining
The experimental group will receive deep neck stabilizer training with pressure biofeedback and traditional exercises for six weeks, three times weekly.
Active Comparator: Group 2 (Conventional exercises)
Each session begins with TENS and hot pack therapy, followed by stretching and strengthening exercises for neck and shoulder muscles. Data will be collected at the initial point, after 3 weeks, and once more at the 6-week point.
Other: Conventional exercises
The control group will engage in a traditional exercise program for 6 weeks, meeting three times weekly

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Temporomandibular dysfunction
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Mandibular Functional Impairment Questionnaire
6 weeks
Pain Intensity
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Numeric Pain Rating Scale will be used
6 weeks
Cervical Range of Motion
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Inclinometer
6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences

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)

November 28, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

May 13, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

May 13, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 24, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 24, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

December 5, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 18, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 15, 2026

Last Verified

December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • UBAS/ERB/FoRS/25/024
  • U1111-1331-6077 (Registry Identifier: WHO Universal Trial Number)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

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.

Yes

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.

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