The Cervical "STRETCH" Study (STRETCH)

February 23, 2026 updated by: Krista Lund, Western University of Health Sciences

The Cervical "STRETCH" (Stretching Trials for Range, Ease, and Teaching Curriculum Health) Study

Neck pain and reduced cervical range of motion (ROM) are common musculoskeletal concerns that can significantly impact an individual's quality of life and daily routine. This is especially true for medical students who spend a disproportionate amount of time on their computers or mobile devices, as is required by their long study hours. A simple stretching routine is often recommended by physicians and physical therapists alike, but there is little research examining short-term changes in cervical range of motion (ROM) and pain when a brief, structured daily stretching program is used.

The goal of this single-group study is to test feasibility and determine how well a daily cervical stretching regimen affects cervical ROM and self-reported pain in osteopathic medical students with cervical ROM restrictions. Researchers will measure changes in cervical ROM using a goniometer and changes in pain levels via the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Participants will be asked to complete a 7-day period of no stretching, during which natural measurements will be taken, followed by 7 days of completing the 5-minute stretching routine, after which more measurements will be taken. Participants will also be asked to complete a post-study survey and a 1-month follow-up survey to provide feedback on the study and the stretching routine.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

75

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 Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • California
      • Pomona, California, United States, 91767
        • Western University of Health Sciences
        • Contact:

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
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Must be currently enrolled OMSI or OMSII student at the Western University of Health Sciences (WUHS), College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP).
  • Demonstrates a range of motion restriction or presents with cervical pain or both. (Normal range of motion in the cervical spine is Flexion and Extension of 60 degrees, Sidebending of 45 degrees, and Rotation of 8090 degrees.)
  • Reports mild to moderate cervical pain (VAS score between 2 and 5 or mild to moderate).
  • Agrees to complete daily cervical stretching exercises as instructed and will adhere to all study protocols.
  • Must be 18 years or older.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of severe cervical spine injuries (e.g., fractures, herniated discs requiring surgical intervention, cervical radiculopathy, or myelopathy).
  • Diagnosed inflammatory or degenerative conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis).
  • Contraindications to stretching exercises, such as recent surgery or other physical therapy restrictions.
  • Conditions that affect neuromuscular function or ROM measurements, such as multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy.
  • VAS score > 7 or pain severe enough to inhibit participation in daily stretching exercises.
  • Below the age of 18

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: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Guided Cervical Stretching Regimen
Participants will complete a 5-minute guided cervical stretching routine and will be given a video to follow for 7 consecutive days (Days 8-14), following a 7-day baseline observation period without intervention.
Behavioral: Guided Cervical Stretching Regimen
Participants will perform a standardized 5-minute guided cervical stretching routine once daily for 7 days. The instruction will be delivered via an in-person tutorial on the first day, followed by a pre-recorded instructional video that participants will follow each of the following 6 days. The stretching routine will target cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation movements.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Changes in Cervical Range of Motion (ROM)
Time Frame: Baseline to Day 7 pre-stretch, to Day 7 post-stretch, to Day 14.
Changes in cervical range of motion (ROM) will be analyzed using goniometer measurements in degrees. The measurements of cervical ROM will include flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral flexion. A blinded assessor will conduct assessments to minimize measurement bias.
Baseline to Day 7 pre-stretch, to Day 7 post-stretch, to Day 14.
Changes in Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Time Frame: Baseline to Day 7 pre-stretch, to Day 7 post-stretch, to Day 14
Changes in pain levels will be measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). This will allow for assessment of subjective pain intensity. The instrument is scored on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain), with accompanying representative facial expressions.
Baseline to Day 7 pre-stretch, to Day 7 post-stretch, to Day 14

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Changes in the Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Time Frame: Baseline to Day 7 pre-stretch, to Day 7 post-stretch, to Day 14
The Neck Disability Index (NDI) will be used to evaluate neck-related disability and quality of life in participants. This survey evaluates the impact of cervical pain and ROM on daily activities. It will be measured on an interval scale of 0 to 50.
Baseline to Day 7 pre-stretch, to Day 7 post-stretch, to Day 14
Participant Feedback on the Feasibility/Effectiveness of the Stretching Routine and How Experience Might Influence Their Approach to Patient Care
Time Frame: Day 14 post-intervention to Day 30 (1-month follow-up)
Participant feedback will be collected through structured post-intervention Qualtrics Surveys designed by the research team to evaluate perceptions of the intervention's effectiveness, feasibility, and clinical applicability
Day 14 post-intervention to Day 30 (1-month follow-up)
Adherence Rates to Stretching Regimen
Time Frame: Baseline to Day 14 to 1 Month Follow-up
Self-reported adherence rates will be documented through daily compliance diaries and a one-month follow-up survey.
Baseline to Day 14 to 1 Month Follow-up

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Western University of Health Sciences

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 (Estimated)

March 10, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 23, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 23, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

February 27, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

February 27, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 23, 2026

Last Verified

February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • X26IRB003

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

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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