A 4-week home exercise program improved muscular endurance and disability scores in people with nonspecific neck pain, but did not significantly reduce pain intensity . The findings suggest targeted neck exercises have measurable effects on function rather than pain sensation itself.
Nonspecific neck pain, which accounts for the majority of neck complaints without clear structural diagnosis, affects an estimated 4-6% of the population at any given time. This randomized controlled trial enrolled 65 individuals with nonspecific neck pain and randomly assigned them to either a 4-week home exercise intervention or a control group that received educational materials about neck health.
The exercise group completed a structured program targeting cervical endurance, focusing on deep flexor muscles and stabilizing structures. Researchers measured three primary outcomes: cervical muscle endurance (tested through flexion, extension, and deep flexion protocols), disability level using the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPNPQ), and participation in daily activities via the Keele Participation Assessment (KPA). Pain intensity was assessed with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
The results revealed a nuanced pattern. On the disability questionnaire, the exercise group showed statistically significant improvement compared to controls (p < 0.005). When testing cervical muscle endurance, both groups started at similar baseline levels. However, after 4 weeks, the exercise group demonstrated substantially greater gains in endurance capacity across flexion and extension measures compared to the control group. This improvement in muscular capacity appeared to translate into functional gains, with participants reporting better participation in daily activities.
Notably, pain intensity as measured on the Visual Analog Scale did not show statistically significant differences between groups after treatment. This disconnect between improved function and unchanged pain perception suggests the intervention worked primarily through neuromuscular adaptation and motor control restoration rather than direct pain reduction. The authors hypothesized that normalized muscle activation patterns and improved proprioceptive feedback from the deep cervical muscles may restore motor control, even when subjective pain ratings remain stable.
If you have nonspecific neck pain, this research indicates that structured home exercise targeting deep cervical muscles may improve your functional capacity and daily participation, even if it doesn't immediately reduce how much pain you perceive. The relevance depends on whether your primary goal is pain reduction or restoring what you can do.
The 4-week timeframe in this study is relatively short. Most participants would benefit from understanding that neck endurance improvements typically require consistent practice beyond a month. The exercise protocol focused specifically on cervical stabilizers rather than general strengthening, suggesting that the type of exercise matters more than simply doing any neck-related activity.
Consider pairing structured stretching and posture routines with endurance-focused exercises. The control group in this study received an educational booklet about neck health conditions, which likely provided some baseline benefit. This suggests that understanding your condition and how to respond to it remains foundational, even with an active exercise program.
For people with desk-based work or prolonged static postures, adding movement breaks throughout the day may amplify benefits seen in home exercise programs by preventing the deconditioning cycle that neck pain can create.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Study type | Randomized controlled trial |
| Sample size | 65 individuals (exercise n=33, control n=32) |
| Duration | 4 weeks |
| Intervention | Structured home exercise program targeting cervical endurance |
| Control | Educational booklet on neck health conditions |
| Primary outcomes | Cervical endurance (flexion/extension/deep flexion), disability (NPNPQ), participation (KPA), pain (VAS) |
| Registration | NCT05259358 (ClinicalTrials.gov, registered January 15, 2022) |
| Journal | Scientific Reports |
| Evidence tier | A tier (RCT with registered protocol) |
| Key finding | Significant improvement in endurance and disability; no significant pain reduction |
Yildirim, M. S., et al. (2025). Effects of home exercise program on endurance, disability and daily participation in non-specific neck pain. *Scientific Reports*, 15(1), 2711.
PubMed: 42711358
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05259358
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