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The Effects of Spinal Mobilization Added to an Exercise Program in Recreational Tennis Players With Mechanical

NCT07575542 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2026-05-08

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This prospective, single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial evaluated whether adding cervical and thoracic spinal mobilization (Maitland concept, grades I-IV) to a structured home therapeutic exercise program improves pain intensity and physical fitness parameters in recreational tennis players with mechanical neck pain. Thirty adults aged 18-45 years with body mass index (BMI) of 18-30 kg/m² and mechanical neck pain (Visual Analog Scale, VAS \> 4) lasting more than one week were randomized 1:1 into a Control Group (CG, n=15) performing an unsupervised 21-session home exercise program (one session per day for three weeks) and an Experimental Group (EG, n=15) performing the identical home exercise program plus four therapist-delivered sessions of cervical and upper thoracic spinal mobilization (one at baseline and one per week thereafter, across three weeks). Outcomes assessed at baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 3) included VAS for pain during physical activity, at rest, and during sleep; cervical range of motion measured with a Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device; isometric neck muscle strength (handheld dynamometer); pinch and hand grip strength; ruler-drop reaction time; sit-and-reach flexibility; and vertical jump performance assessed with the My Jump Lab application.

Conditions

  • Mechanical Neck Pain
  • Tennis
  • Pain
  • Manual Therapy
  • Therapeutic Exercise

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Behavioral: Home Therapeutic Exercise Program

Three weeks (21 daily sessions) of unsupervised home exercises supported by written and illustrated instructions. Components included bilateral upper trapezius and levator scapulae stretching, hamstring and lumbar extensor stretching, isometric cervical flexion / extension / bilateral lateral flexion exercises, chin-tuck exercise, and cat-camel exercise.

PROCEDURE

Maitland Cervical and Upper Thoracic Spinal Mobilization

Therapist-delivered passive oscillatory mobilization to hypomobile cervical and upper thoracic segments using grades I-IV per the Maitland concept; oscillation rate 2-3 Hz; \~30-second bouts; 3-4 bouts per segment; 1-minute rest between bouts. Total of four supervised sessions (one at baseline, then once per week) across three weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Istinye University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
45 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-04-01
Primary Completion
2025-07-15
Completion
2025-08-01

Countries

  • Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations

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Entities

Diseases

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 NCT07575542 on ClinicalTrials.gov