Retraining the brain to turn down neck pain — a new approach put to the test

NCT ID NCT06503562

First seen Jul 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026

Summary

This trial tests whether adding brain-focused therapies — pain education, breathing exercises, and guided relaxation — to standard physiotherapy can better relieve chronic nonspecific neck pain. Researchers will measure changes in pain, movement, fear of pain, and quality of life in 30 adults aged 18 to 65 who have had neck pain for over three months. The goal is to see if teaching the brain to unlearn pain can improve outcomes beyond physical treatments alone.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
central nervous system focused treatment program including pain neuroscience education, breathing exercises, and relaxation exercises with guided imagery
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a more effective treatment for chronic neck pain that addresses how the brain processes pain, not just the neck itself.
What could go wrong
This is a very small, early-stage trial with only 30 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The added therapies may not provide extra benefit over standard physiotherapy.

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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

  • Acibadem University

    Istanbul, Turkey, +90, Turkey (Türkiye)

  • Nuray ALACA

    Istanbul, Turkey, +90, Turkey (Türkiye)

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