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Can online neck exercises beat standard rehab after spine surgery?

NCT ID NCT03036007

Disease control Sponsor: Linkoeping University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed This study
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
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Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Aug 26, 2026 · Last updated Aug 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a structured, internet-based neck exercise program can improve recovery compared to standard prescribed physical activity in people who still have neck disability after anterior cervical spine surgery. Participants are adults who had surgery for cervical disc disease and report at least 30% disability on a neck function questionnaire. They are randomly assigned to either the online exercise program or prescribed physical activity for three months, with follow-up assessments over two years. The goal is to see which approach better improves neck function and reduces pain.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
Internet-based neck-specific exercise program versus prescribed physical activity
What this could lead to
If effective, this could provide a cost-effective, accessible rehabilitation option to improve neck function and reduce disability after cervical spine surgery.
What could go wrong
The trial is relatively small and early-stage, so results may not be conclusive. The internet-based approach may not suit all patients, and individual outcomes can vary.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

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

39 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

May 2017

Finished

Aug 2026

Lead sponsor

A government agency

The lead sponsor is a government body.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 75 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

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

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria for each surgical department: • Record data in Swespine Inclusion criteria for surgery: * Cervical disc disease, confirmed by MRI data compatible with clinical findings (neurological examination performed by neck surgeon i.e. neurosurgeon/orthopaedic surgeon) that show nerve root compression in the cervical spine. * Radiculopathy with pain in one or both arms, with or without sensory and/or motor deficit * At least 3 months of persistent arm pain Inclusion criteria for the study: * ACDF due to cervical disc disease (disc herniation with or without osteophytes, or stenosis caused by osteophytes) in one or two segmental levels * Aged 18-75 years * Residual disability (approximately) 3 months after surgery (at the re-visit to the surgeon/ physiotherapist at the neurosurgery/ neuroorthopedic clinic) in terms of the Neck Disability Index (NDI ≥30%). * Access to a computer/tablet/smartphone and the Internet * Motivated to exercise Exclusion Criteria: Exclusion criteria: * Myelopathy * Previous fracture or dislocation of the cervical spine * Malignancy or benign spinal tumour (e.g. neuromas) * Spinal infection, ongoing post-operative infection, or previous spondylodiscitis * Previous cervical spine surgery * Factors that are contraindicated for study participation or which hinder treatment or follow-up because of systemic disease, physical or mental illness, injury, inconvenience, or postoperative complications. * Known alcohol/drug abuse * Lack of ability to write/comprehend/or express oneself in the Swedish language

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cervical disk degenerative disorder Neck Pain radiculopathy

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Cervical disc disease Radiculopathy, cervical

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Anneli Peolsson

    Linköping, Östergötland County, SE-58183, Sweden

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