Comparison of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Exercises and Deep Cervical Muscle Exercises on Muscle Fat Infiltration in Individuals With Neck Pain

NCT ID: NCT06891391

Last Updated: 2025-03-24

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 42 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-04-10
• Study Completion Date: 2026-03-25

Brief Summary

This clinical trial study aims to compare the effects of DNS (Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization) exercises and deep cervical muscle exercises on fat infiltration, disability, and posture in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain. The clinical questions of this study are as follows:

• Can DNS and deep cervical muscle exercises decrease muscle fat infiltration?
• Can DNS and deep cervical muscle exercises improve neck disability?
• Can DNS and deep cervical muscle exercises improve neck posture?

Researchers will compare DNS and deep cervical muscle exercises to people with non-specific neck pain. DNS exercises are hypothesized to significantly reduce fat infiltration and improve neck disability and neck posture compared to deep cervical muscle exercises.

The participants will undergo an MRI scan and clinical assessment, such as NDI (Neck Disability Index) and posture checking, before being randomly divided into two groups. The first group will perform DNS exercises, and the second group will engage in deep cervical muscle exercises. Both sets of exercises will be performed for 16 weeks as part of a daily routine. After the 16-week exercises, the participants will undergo a follow-up MRI, NDI, and posture checking.

Conditions

Non-specific Neck Pain

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

Group A

Participants will perform three DNS exercise positions based on their ability: the 3-month prone developmental position, the 6-month developmental position, and the quadruped position. Each position will be done 3-6 repetitions and actively held for 30 to 60 seconds. Participants will perform both exercises at home twice daily, adjusting based on their ability and ensuring they do not experience pain.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

DNS is a method used to enhance muscle stability. It is a manual and rehabilitative approach based on developmental kinesiology to optimize the movement system. These exercises optimize internal muscle forces on each spinal segment.

Group B

Participants will perform two types of exercises: Deep Cervical Flexor Training and Deep Cervical Extensor Training. For flexor training, they will lie on their back with a small towel under the suboccipital region and slowly move their head to the inner range. This will be done in sets of 10 repetitions with a 30-second rest between sets. For extensor training, they will sit upright with their hands folded below the occiput, pushing into extension against their hands and holding the posture as long as possible. This exercise consists of 3 sets of 6 repetitions, with a 6-second rest between repetitions and a 30-seconds break between sets. Participants will perform both exercises at home twice in 6 days a week, adjusting based on their ability and ensuring they do not experience pain.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Deep Cervical Muscle exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

Deep cervical muscle exercises are isometric exercises that strengthen weak muscles without causing discomfort to pain-sensitive structures like ligaments, tendons, or neck joints. This involves contracting specific muscles without changing muscle length or impeding joint movement.

Interventions

Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization exercises

DNS is a method used to enhance muscle stability. It is a manual and rehabilitative approach based on developmental kinesiology to optimize the movement system. These exercises optimize internal muscle forces on each spinal segment.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Deep Cervical Muscle exercises

Deep cervical muscle exercises are isometric exercises that strengthen weak muscles without causing discomfort to pain-sensitive structures like ligaments, tendons, or neck joints. This involves contracting specific muscles without changing muscle length or impeding joint movement.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Non-specific neck pain condition for three months or more
• Mild to moderate disability ( more than 10% of NDI)
• Mild to moderate pain level(2-8/10 of NRS)

Exclusion Criteria

• A history of spine surgery or cervical injury
• Participated in a neck exercise program in the past three months
• Upper extremity problems
• Radiating pain, numbness, and weakness of the upper extremities
• A detectable pathological spinal condition
• Metabolic disorders, diabetes, and hypertension Obesity

• Minimum Eligible Age: 20 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 45 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Tokyo Metropolitan University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Hardianty A.M Abduh, M. Sc

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Tokyo Metropolitan University

Locations

Tokyo Metropolitan University

Arakawa City, Tokyo, Japan

Countries

Japan

Central Contacts

Hardianty A.M Abduh, M. Sc

Role: CONTACT

hardiantymunabduh9@gmail.com

+819078806110

Hironobu Kuruma, Professor

Role: CONTACT

kuruma@tmu.ac.jp

Other Identifiers

24072

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id