NCT07272551

The Effectiveness of the Polyvagal Theory in Chronic Neck Pain

Investigation of the Effectiveness of the Polyvagal Theory-based Exercise Approach in Chronic Neck Pain

• Status: Enrolling By Invitation
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 33 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Medipol University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 50 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a polyvagal theory-based exercise approach on joint position sense, pain, range of motion, functionality, depression, and quality of life in individuals with chronic neck pain. H0 = The polyvagal theory-based exercise approach has no significant effect on joint position sense, neck pain, range of motion, functionality, depression, or quality of life. H1 = The polyvagal theory-based exercise approach has a significant effect on joint position sense, neck pain, range of motion, functionality, depression, and quality of life.

Detailed description

Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems that negatively impacts individuals' health and quality of life. When chronic painful conditions occur in musculoskeletal disorders, mood disorders such as depression and anxiety can also occur. A long-term history of neck pain is associated with stress, poor quality of life, and decreased functionality. Polyvagal theory advocates working with the body, becoming aware of it, and connecting with the senses. Exercises based on polyvagal theory can be specifically designed and customized to stimulate the vagus nerve, promote relaxation, and enhance social interaction by following the principles of polyvagal theory. While polyvagal theory is often used in psychology, it has only been used in rehabilitation in one study, with the potential to improve quality of life by inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system and activating the parasympathetic nervous system, thereby reducing pain perception and stress. This study, in which participants were divided into three groups: control, intervention 1, and intervention 2, aimed to examine the effectiveness of a polyvagal theory-based exercise approach on joint position sense, pain, range of motion, functionality, depression, and quality of life in individuals with chronic neck pain.

Conditions

• Chronic Neck Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Control	Participants in this study will undergo traditional, painless cervical exercises twice a week for 8 weeks. Each exercise will be performed for 10 repetitions and 3 sets. The exercises are as follows: Traditional, painless cervical exercises will consist of 10 slow repetitions of each of the following cervical movements, starting from a natural resting head position: left rotation, right rotation, flexion, extension, left lateral flexion, and right lateral flexion. Isometric neck exercises will be performed in a straight line forward, backward, right, and left direction, with the patient's own hands providing resistance in the opposite direction. Shoulder active ROM exercises will involve participants performing shoulder flexion, abduction up to 90°, and external and internal rotation exercises with their elbows flexed to 90° and their arms at their sides. Additionally, they will be asked to perform shoulder rolls forward and backward while standing.
OTHER	Intervention 1	In this study, participants will undergo polyvagal theory-based exercises twice a week for 8 weeks, totaling 16 sessions. The exercises are categorized into four main groups: sensory awareness exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, vocalization exercises, and self-soothing touch exercises. Sensory awareness exercises include focused breathing, awareness of upright postures and bodily sensations, lying on the back with eyes closed while focusing on positive thoughts, and walking mindfully in a calm environment. Progressive muscle relaxation involves sequentially tensing and relaxing muscle groups from the toes to the head and visualizing calming scenes through guided imagery. Vocalization exercises consist of tongue trills producing a "ben" sound, humming with a closed mouth, and sustaining vowel sounds. Self-soothing touch exercises include massaging the feet, mindfully touching the arms, face, and palms, and practicing abdominal breathing.
OTHER	Intervention 2	Participants in this study will receive exercises based on polyvagal theory in addition to traditional, painless cervical exercises twice a week for 8 weeks. Each exercise will be performed for 3 sets of 10 repetitions. Participants will rest for two seconds after each repetition and five seconds after each set. The exercise content will be the same as described above. One set of polyvagal theory-based exercises will be performed. The exercise content will be the same as described above. The intervention will not be progressive, and the same intervention content will be used for 16 sessions. The intervention will be administered by a physiotherapist.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-07-19
• Primary completion: 2026-06-30
• Completion: 2026-09-30
• First posted: 2025-12-09
• Last updated: 2026-03-17

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)