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Effects of Transcutaneous Neuromodulation and Cervical Exercise in Students With Chronic Nonspecific Cervical Pain

NCT07452237 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 51

Last updated 2026-03-09

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of a cervical exercise program, transcutaneous neuromodulation of the spinal accessory nerve, and a placebo intervention on pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, cervical proprioception, functional disability, depression, anxiety, and stress in university students with chronic non-specific neck pain. The study will include a six-week intervention period with pre- and post-treatment assessments. The findings may contribute to the development of accessible physiotherapy interventions within university settings.

Conditions

  • Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain

Interventions

OTHER

Supervised Cervical Exercise Program

Participants will perform a supervised cervical and scapular strengthening program focused on deep cervical flexor activation and motor control. The intervention will consist of 12 sessions over six weeks (two sessions per week). Exercises will include cranio-cervical flexion movements, isometric contractions in supine, prone, and side-lying positions, and progressive load adjustments guided by the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (target intensity 7/10). Load progression will be implemented after week three to maintain training intensity.

DEVICE

Low-Frequency Transcutaneous Neuromodulation

Participants will receive low-frequency electrical stimulation applied bilaterally over the spinal accessory nerve at Erb's point using the Pointer Excel II device. Stimulation parameters will be set at 4 Hz for 5 minutes per side during each session. The intervention will be delivered twice weekly for six weeks.

DEVICE

Sham Transcutaneous Neuromodulation

Participants will undergo a simulated neuromodulation procedure using the same device and positioning as the active neuromodulation group. No electrical current will be delivered. The device will remain in point-detection mode to produce sound without stimulation. The duration and frequency of sessions will match the active intervention group.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Universidad Francisco de Vitoria

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
30 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-04-01
Primary Completion
2026-05-13
Completion
2026-07-01

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07452237 on ClinicalTrials.gov