Proprioceptive Puzzle: Effects on Quantitative Sensory Tests and Body Awareness

NCT ID: NCT06559397

Last Updated: 2025-11-25

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-09-01

Study Completion Date

2025-02-01

Brief Summary

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Background: Cervical proprioception, referring to the awareness of the head's position in space, plays a crucial role in maintaining postural control and preventing musculoskeletal injuries. While previous research has established the importance of cervical proprioception in motor function, its specific impact on body awareness and pain-related aspects remains less explored, particularly in healthy young individuals.

Aim: This prospective cross-sectional study aims to investigate the impact of cervical proprioceptive error on body awareness, pressure pain threshold, pressure pain tolerance, conditioned pain modulation, and temporal summation in healthy young individuals.

Methods: In asymptomatic participants, cervical proprioception will be assessed using the 'head position error test' in both right and left rotation directions with the CROM device. Participants will be then divided into two groups based on the presence of proprioceptive deviation (\>5°). Body awareness will beassessed using the 'Body Awareness Questionnaire,' while pressure pain threshold, pain tolerance, and temporal summation will be measured bilaterally with an algometer device (2 cm lateral to the C2 and C7 spinal processes, midpoint of the upper part of the trapezius, and over the temporomandibular joint) in both groups. Subsequently, the two groups will be compared using independent samples t-tests.

Detailed Description

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Cervical proprioception, which refers to the awareness of the head's position in space, is a fundamental component of postural control and the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries. This sense is mediated by sensory receptors located in the muscles, joints, and skin of the cervical spine, providing critical feedback for maintaining balance and coordinating movements. Previous studies have extensively documented the role of cervical proprioception in motor function, highlighting its importance in activities that require precise head and neck movements.

Despite these findings, there is a gap in the literature regarding the specific impact of cervical proprioception on body awareness and pain-related parameters in healthy individuals. Body awareness, or the conscious perception of body position and movement, is essential for efficient motor control and overall well-being. Additionally, understanding how proprioceptive errors in the cervical region might influence pain perception could provide insights into mechanisms underlying chronic pain conditions.

The primary aim of this prospective cross-sectional study is to investigate the impact of cervical proprioceptive error on body awareness, pressure pain threshold, pressure pain tolerance, conditioned pain modulation, and temporal summation in asymptomatic young individuals.

Conditions

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Cervical Proprioceptive Error in Healthy Young Individuals

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

OTHER

Study Time Perspective

CROSS_SECTIONAL

Study Groups

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Proprioceptive deficit positive group

This group consists of young participants who exhibit a proprioceptive error in their cervical proprioception test. Proprioceptive error refers to an inaccurate perception of the head's position in space. In this study, participants with a deviation greater than 5 degrees during the test will be classified into this group.

Assessment of cervical proprioception

Intervention Type OTHER

Cervical proprioception will be assessed using the 'head position error test' in both right and left rotation directions with the CROM device. Participants will be then divided into two groups based on the presence of proprioceptive errors (\>5°).

Proprioceptive deficit negative goup

This group includes young participants who do not show any proprioceptive error in the cervical proprioception test. These participants accurately perceive the position of their head and thus do not have a proprioceptive deficit (less than 5 degrees)

Assessment of cervical proprioception

Intervention Type OTHER

Cervical proprioception will be assessed using the 'head position error test' in both right and left rotation directions with the CROM device. Participants will be then divided into two groups based on the presence of proprioceptive errors (\>5°).

Interventions

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Assessment of cervical proprioception

Cervical proprioception will be assessed using the 'head position error test' in both right and left rotation directions with the CROM device. Participants will be then divided into two groups based on the presence of proprioceptive errors (\>5°).

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

\* Being between 18-25 years old

Exclusion Criteria

* History of cervical spine injuries or disorders
* Chronic pain conditions or diagnosed musculoskeletal disorders
* Previous neck or spine surgeries
* Neurological or psychiatric conditions affecting proprioception or pain perception
* Use of medications influencing pain sensitivity or proprioception
* Pregnancy
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

25 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Nagihan Acet

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Nagihan Acet

Asst. Prof.

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Nagihan Acet

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Atılım University

Locations

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Atılım University

Ankara, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

References

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Revel M, Andre-Deshays C, Minguet M. Cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility in patients with cervical pain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1991 Apr;72(5):288-91.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 2009044 (View on PubMed)

Kulkarni V, Chandy MJ, Babu KS. Quantitative study of muscle spindles in suboccipital muscles of human foetuses. Neurol India. 2001 Dec;49(4):355-9.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11799407 (View on PubMed)

Peng B, Yang L, Li Y, Liu T, Liu Y. Cervical Proprioception Impairment in Neck Pain-Pathophysiology, Clinical Evaluation, and Management: A Narrative Review. Pain Ther. 2021 Jun;10(1):143-164. doi: 10.1007/s40122-020-00230-z. Epub 2021 Jan 12.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33464539 (View on PubMed)

Mehling WE, Gopisetty V, Daubenmier J, Price CJ, Hecht FM, Stewart A. Body awareness: construct and self-report measures. PLoS One. 2009;4(5):e5614. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005614. Epub 2009 May 19.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19440300 (View on PubMed)

Yang J, Lee B, Kim C. Changes in proprioception and pain in patients with neck pain after upper thoracic manipulation. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015 Mar;27(3):795-8. doi: 10.1589/jpts.27.795. Epub 2015 Mar 31.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25931733 (View on PubMed)

Law EY, Chiu TT. Measurement of cervical range of motion (CROM) by electronic CROM goniometer: a test of reliability and validity. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2013;26(2):141-8. doi: 10.3233/BMR-2012-00358.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23640315 (View on PubMed)

Walton DM, Macdermid JC, Nielson W, Teasell RW, Chiasson M, Brown L. Reliability, standard error, and minimum detectable change of clinical pressure pain threshold testing in people with and without acute neck pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2011 Sep;41(9):644-50. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2011.3666. Epub 2011 Sep 1.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21885906 (View on PubMed)

Karaca, S. (2017). Vücut Farkındalığı Anketinin Türkçe uyarlaması: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması (Yayınlanmamış yüksek lisans tezi). Muğla Sıtkı Koçman Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Muğla.

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Heisler AC, Song J, Dunlop DD, Wohlfahrt A, Bingham CO III, Bolster MB, Clauw DJ, Marder W, Phillips K, Neogi T, Lee YC. Association of Pain Centralization and Patient-Reported Pain in Active Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020 Aug;72(8):1122-1129. doi: 10.1002/acr.23994. Epub 2020 Jul 21.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31162824 (View on PubMed)

Acet N, Begen S. The proprioceptive puzzle: An observational study investigating the effects of cervical proprioceptive errors on quantitative sensory testing and body awareness in young individuals. PLoS One. 2025 Apr 21;20(4):e0321645. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321645. eCollection 2025.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 40257972 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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AtılımU-2

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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