Simple neck exercises and nerve zaps may beat chronic pain in students
NCT ID NCT07452237
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a supervised neck exercise program or a mild nerve stimulation device can reduce chronic neck pain in university students aged 18-30. Over six weeks, 51 participants will be assigned to exercise, nerve stimulation, or a placebo group. Researchers will measure pain, pressure sensitivity, and mood before and after treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- cervical exercise program and transcutaneous neuromodulation
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer simple, drug-free ways to manage chronic neck pain in young adults.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 51 participants. Results may not apply to everyone, and the placebo group might show similar benefits.
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
-
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
-
About 51 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
-
Apr 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
-
Jul 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
18 to 30 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 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: * University students aged 18-30 years * Chronic non-specific neck pain lasting ≥ 3 months * Pain intensity \>3/10 on VAS * No pharmacological or physiotherapy treatment in the past 3 months Exclusion Criteria: * Specific cervical pathology (e.g., radiculopathy) * Neurological, cardiovascular, systemic, or infectious disease * Diagnosed psychological disorders * Pregnancy or postpartum period \< 1 year * Regular use of analgesics, opioids, or antidepressants * Previous cervical spine or shoulder surgery * Electronic implants * Neck pain associated with vertigo
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Chronic non-specific neck pain are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a Screen-Guided neck workout retrain muscles to ease chronic pain?
- Which therapy eases chronic neck pain best? a trial aims to find out
- Hands-On showdown: which therapy eases stubborn neck pain best?
- Can online therapy ease chronic neck pain as well as clinic visits?
- Vibrating platform or exercise: which eases chronic neck pain better?
- Breathe away the pain: simple breathing training boosts exercise benefits for chronic spine pain