Clinical Trial

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

Completed
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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.
Trial Details
NCT Number NCT07575542
Lead Sponsor Istinye University
Conditions Mechanical Neck Pain, Tennis, Pain, Manual Therapy, Therapeutic Exercise
Enrollment 30 participants
Start Date 2025-04-01
Primary Completion 2025-07-15 (estimated)
Study Completion 2025-08-01 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov 2026-05-08