Neck Exercises for Improving Pelvic Alignment and Low Back Pain (NEPAL)
Effects of a Three-Dimensional Nuchal Exercise Program on Pelvic Alignment and Low Back Pain in Adults
This study aimed to investigate whether a three-dimensional nuchal exercise program is associated with changes in pelvic alignment and low back pain in adults.
Thirty participants with low back pain performed a structured cervical exercise program for four weeks, including horizontal, sagittal, and diagonal movements. Pelvic tilt angle and pain intensity were measured before and after the intervention.
The findings of this study may provide preliminary evidence supporting a potential relationship between cervical movement and pelvic alignment, contributing to the understanding of regional interdependence in musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
Study Overview
Status
Conditions
Intervention / Treatment
Detailed Description
Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that can lead to functional limitation and reduced quality of life. Traditional rehabilitation approaches often focus on the lumbar and pelvic regions; however, emerging evidence suggests that different body regions may be functionally interconnected.
The concept of regional interdependence proposes that impairments in one anatomical region may contribute to dysfunction in another. The cervical spine plays an important role in postural control due to its rich proprioceptive input and its interaction with visual and vestibular systems. Therefore, cervical movement may influence postural alignment and neuromuscular control throughout the body.
This study was designed as a single-group, pre-post interventional study to explore the effects of a three-dimensional nuchal exercise program on pelvic alignment and pain intensity. Participants with low back pain were instructed to perform a structured exercise program consisting of horizontal rotation, sagittal flexion-extension, and diagonal (star-pattern) cervical movements.
Pelvic alignment was assessed using photographic analysis, and pain intensity was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS). Measurements were conducted before and after the intervention period.
This study is considered a preliminary (pilot) investigation. The results may provide initial evidence for cervico-pelvic interaction and inform the design of future controlled trials.
Study Type
Enrollment (Actual)
Phase
- Not Applicable
Contacts and Locations
Study Locations
-
-
-
Hsinchu, Taiwan, 30015
- Yuanpei University of Medical Technology
-
-
Participation Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Ages Eligible for Study
- Adult
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Description
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adults aged 30 to 60 years
- Individuals who reported experiencing low back pain within the previous 6 months
- Ability to stand independently and perform exercise tasks
- Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent-
Exclusion Criteria:
- - History of severe head or neck injury
- Previous spinal surgery
- Active infectious disease or uncontrolled malignancy
- Cognitive impairment affecting the ability to follow instructions
- Any condition affecting the ability to stand or walk independently
Study Plan
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: Three-Dimensional Nuchal Exercise Group
Participants performed a structured three-dimensional nuchal exercise program for four weeks.
The program included horizontal rotation, sagittal flexion-extension, and diagonal (star-pattern) cervical movements.
All participants received the same intervention without a comparison group.
|
A structured cervical exercise program consisting of three components: horizontal rotation, sagittal flexion-extension, and diagonal (star-pattern) movements.
Participants performed 20 repetitions for each movement while maintaining an upright posture.
The program was performed over a four-week period.
|
What is the study measuring?
Primary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
Pelvic Tilt Angle
Time Frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention
|
Pelvic alignment was assessed by measuring the pelvic tilt angle using digital photographic analysis.
The angle was defined as the deviation from horizontal alignment based on anatomical landmarks.
|
Baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention
|
Collaborators and Investigators
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: YU-AN CHEN, PT, PhD, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology
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 (Actual)
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Verified
More Information
Terms related to this study
Additional Relevant MeSH Terms
Other Study ID Numbers
- YPUIRB1080223
Drug and device information, study documents
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product
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.