Postural biofeedback training for managing neck pain

ISRCTN ISRCTN52701452
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN52701452
Secondary identifying numbers KMUH-IRB-20130102
Submission date
17/02/2025
Registration date
25/02/2025
Last edited
20/02/2025
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Mechanical neck pain (MNP) is a common problem that can strain healthcare resources and create economic challenges. Poor and prolonged neck posture can lead to neck pain. This study aims to see if combining posture correction exercises with visual and auditory feedback can help reduce neck pain and improve movement in people with MNP.

Who can participate?
Adults of any gender who are experiencing mechanical neck pain can participate in this study.

What does the study involve?
Participants are divided into two groups. One group performs neck exercises as a placebo, while the other group engages in posture correction exercises with visual and auditory feedback. Both groups will complete four sessions, and changes in their symptoms will be measured before and after the study.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants in the training group may experience reduced neck pain and improved movement. However, the exercises might cause temporary discomfort or mild soreness.

Where is the study run from?
Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
June 2013 to June 2014

Who is funding the study?
The study is funded by the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), the Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine at Kaohsiung Medical University, and the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Taiwan.

Who is the main contact?
LI, YAN-CHENG, kelly01100110@hotmail.com

Contact information

Ms Yan-Cheng Li
Public, Scientific, Principal Investigator

No. 100, Shiquan 1st Road, Sanmin District
Kaohsiung
807378
Taiwan

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-6256-355X
Phone +886 73121101
Email yuen@kmu.edu.tw

Study information

Study designInterventional randomized controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Laboratory
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet No participant information sheet available
Scientific titleThe application of postural correction biofeedback training for clients with mechanical neck pain
Study objectivesThe hypothesis was that postural correction biofeedback training would lead to improvements in sensorimotor function and a reduction in clinical symptoms in clients with mechanical neck pain
Ethics approval(s)

Approved 14/06/2013, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital (No. 100, Shiquan 1st Road, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung, 807378, Taiwan; +886 73121101; irb@kmuh.org.tw), ref: KMUH-IRB_20130102

Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedMechanical neck pain
InterventionTwenty subjects with mechanical neck pain from outpatient clinic of Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital were randomly divided into two groups: a control group and a training group with drawing lottery system.

The control group was instructed to perform 6-direction active cervical range of motion exercises, 15 times for each direction in session, as a placebo intervention. The training group, on the other hand, carried out postural correction biofeedback exercises, consisting of one trial per hour. Both groups underwent a total of four intervention sessions.

Total duration: 2 weeks
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measure1. Joint position error with absolute value, constant value, and variable value, measured at baseline and 2 weeks after intervention
2. Neck kinematic data of movement unit, head moving velocity, max range of planar motions at baseline and 2 weeks after intervention
Secondary outcome measures1. Neck pain measured by visual analogue score (VAS) at baseline and 2 weeks after intervention
2. The index of fear-avoidance belief questionnaire (FABQ) at baseline and 2 weeks after intervention
3. Neck Disability Index (NDI) at baseline and 2 weeks after intervention
Overall study start date14/06/2013
Completion date13/06/2014

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit20 Years
Upper age limit60 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants40
Total final enrolment20
Key inclusion criteria1. Neck pain caused by musculoskeletal system dysfunction
2. Pain occurring in the area between the occipital bone and the scapula
3. Myofascial neck pain
4. Radiating head/neck pain
Key exclusion criteria1. Neck pain caused by neurological or other pathological mechanisms: rheumatic or neurological diseases
2. A history of traumatic injury to the head or neck
3. A history of cervical spine surgery
4. A whiplash injury within the past six weeks
5. Pain not originating from the neck itself
6. Neurological symptoms in the upper limbs
Date of first enrolment14/06/2013
Date of final enrolment31/12/2013

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Taiwan

Study participating centre

Kaohsiung Medical University
No. 100, Shiquan 1st Road, Sanmin Distri
Kaohsiung
807378
Taiwan

Sponsor information

Kaohsiung Medical University
University/education

No. 100, Shiquan 1st Road, Sanmin Distri
Kaohsiung
807378
Taiwan

Phone +886 73121101
Email yuen@kmu.edu.tw
Website https://www.kmu.edu.tw/index.php
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03gk81f96

Funders

Funder type

Government

National Health Research Institutes
Government organisation / Local government
Alternative name(s)
NHRI
Location
Taiwan
Kaohsiung Medical University Research Center Grant

No information available

Kaohsiung Medical University the Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine

No information available

Ministry of Education, The Featured Areas Research Center Program within the framework of the Higher Education Sprout Project

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/03/2025
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a peer-reviewed journal
IPD sharing planThe dataset during the current study would be available upon request from LI,YAN-CHENG (kelly01100110@hotmail.com)

Editorial Notes

17/02/2025: Trial's existence confirmed by Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital.