Can diaphragm exercises ease stubborn neck pain?
NCT ID NCT04057963
First seen Sep 03, 2026 · Last updated Sep 04, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether adding breathing muscle training to standard physiotherapy helps people with chronic neck pain. Participants receive either conventional physiotherapy alone or physiotherapy plus functional inspiratory muscle training, which gradually strengthens the diaphragm. Researchers measure changes in pain, disability, fear of movement, and depression. The goal is to see if this extra training improves outcomes for those with neck pain lasting at least six months.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Functional inspiratory muscle training added to conventional physiotherapy
- What this could lead to
- If it works, adding breathing muscle exercises to standard physiotherapy could offer a new way to reduce pain and disability in people with chronic neck pain.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small early trial with 28 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The training may not provide extra benefit beyond standard physiotherapy.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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28 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Aug 2019
- Finished
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Sep 2022
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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25 to 50 years
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * NDI score above 15 * Be able to adapt exercise commands * Neck pain for at least six months * Agree to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: History of spinal surgery Traumatic cervical injuries Acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain other than neck pain Serious comorbidities (neurological, neuromuscular, cardiological, psychiatric) Tumoral conditions Obesity (Body Mass Index-BMI\> 40)
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Dokuz Eylul University, Department of Neurosurgery
Izmir, Inciraltı, 35340, Turkey (Türkiye)
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Dokuz Eylul University, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
Izmir, 35340, Turkey (Türkiye)
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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