Investigation of the Efficacy of Thoracic Mobilization Exercises Performed in Addition to Core Stabilization Exercises in Individuals With Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain

Summary

Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints worldwide and is an important health problem that restricts the daily life activities of individuals. In particular, chronic non-specific neck pain (CNSNP) describes pain that persists for at least 12 weeks without an underlying specific pathological cause and affects a large segment of the population. CNSNP leads not only to pain but also to functional limitations, postural disorders and decreased quality of life.

In recent years, exercise-based approaches, especially core stabilisation exercises, have become prominent in the treatment of CNSNP. Core stabilisation exercises aim to increase postural control, improve segmental stability and thus reduce pain by activating deep muscle groups around the spine. However, it has been reported that exercises targeting only local muscle groups may be insufficient to meet the high-level biomechanical and neuromuscular needs of the cervical spine.

In this context, the effect of the mobility of the thoracic spine on neck function is noteworthy. Hypomobility in the thoracic region may contribute to pain and dysfunction by increasing the load on the cervical spine. Therefore, it is thought that adding thoracic mobilisation exercises to core stabilisation exercises may be more effective in improving neck pain and postural disorders.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adding thoracic mobilisation to a core stabilisation exercise programme in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain.

Conditions

• Neck Pain

Interventions

OTHER

Thorocal Mobilization Exercises

Thoracic mobilisation exercises were performed 3 days a week for a total of 6 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Thoracic mobilisation programme consisted of active self-mobilisation techniques, mobilisation exercises with foam rollers, stretching exercises including thoracic rotation and extension movements and dynamic postural exercises. Especially 'thread the needle' exercise in sitting or quadruped position, 'thoracic extension press-up' in prone position and 'extension on foam rollers' were preferred to increase the mobility of thoracic vertebral segments. The exercises were gradually made more difficult according to the tolerance of the individuals. Each exercise was performed as 10-15 repetitions and 2-3 sets. Exercise safety was ensured by informing the patients about the correct posture and movement patterns before all applications.

OTHER

Core Stabilization Exercises

Core stabilization exercises were structured to target activation of deep muscle groups supporting cervical and thoracic spine stability. The exercise programme was performed 3 days a week for a total of 6 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The programme included exercises to improve head and neck control (chin tuck, head lift in supine position), exercises to improve scapular stability (scapular retraction, wall slide, serratus anterior activation) and exercises to improve trunk control in neutral spine position (arm and leg extension in four-point position, plank variations). The exercises were gradually made more difficult according to the tolerance of the individuals and each session lasted approximately 40-45 minutes. By ensuring that the exercises were performed in the correct form and in a controlled manner, overloading of the musculoskeletal system was prevented.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Mehmet CANLI, PhD. · Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-06-01

Primary Completion

2025-09-01

Completion

2025-09-01

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations