NCT05870371: FMvsCNP

The Effect of the Feldenkrais Method on Pain and Function in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain

Completed NA Results posted Last updated 23 April 2025

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement technique in Neck Pain in 200 participants. Completed in 30 June 2023.

Timeline

26 September 2022

Primary endpoint
16 December 2022

30 June 2023

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	University of West Attica
Phase	NA
Status	Completed
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	randomized
Design	parallel
Masking	double
Primary purpose	treatment
Enrollment	200
Start date	26 September 2022
Primary completion	16 December 2022
Estimated completion	30 June 2023
Sites	2 locations across Greece

Drugs / interventions tested

• Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement technique
• Acupuncture — full drug profile →
• Stretching

Conditions studied

• Neck Pain — all drugs for Neck Pain →

Sponsor

University of West Attica

Who can join

Adults 19 to 70, any sex, with Neck Pain. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Results — posted to ClinicalTrials.gov

Per-arm endpoint measurements with 95% confidence intervals where reported. Source: trial results section.

Pain Pressure Threshold Measured by the Commander Algometer, JTECH Medical, Midvale, Utah. Primary · Participants were assessed before (at baseline) and after (five weeks) the completion of the interventions.

The selected algometer (Commander Algometer, JTECH Medical, Midvale, Utah) was used to measure pain sensitivity through the application of pressure. This device can identify the pressure eliciting a pressure-pain threshold. The pain sensitivity recording was performed at specific points with 3 measurements taken at each. The first measurement was considered tentative and was rejected and the final value was the result from the average of the two remaining measurements. The sites that were selected for the pain pressure threshold measurements were the Mastoid Process, the Bladder 10 (BL 10), th

Mastoid Process Left (Baseline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	1.24	± 0.53
Acupuncture and Stretching	1.32	± 0.47

Mastoid Process Left (Endline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	1.61	± 0.63
Acupuncture and Stretching	1.34	± 0.51

Mastoid Process Right (Baseline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	1.32	± 0.52
Acupuncture and Stretching	1.31	± 0.43

Mastoid Process Right (Endline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	1.6	± 0.57
Acupuncture and Stretching	1.32	± 0.51

Bladder 10 Left (Baseline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	1.76	± 0.87
Acupuncture and Stretching	1.75	± 0.52

Bladder 10 Left (Endline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	2.08	± 0.65
Acupuncture and Stretching	1.79	± 0.62

Bladder 10 Right (Baseline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	1.85	± 0.52
Acupuncture and Stretching	1.85	± 0.58

Bladder 10 Right (Endline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	2.24	± 0.66
Acupuncture and Stretching	1.86	± 0.51

Cervical Range of Motion Measured by the 3D Inertial Motion Moover® Sensor by SENSOR Medica Technology in Motion (Guidonia Montecelio, Roma, Italia) Secondary · Participants were assessed before (at baseline) and after (five weeks) the completion of the interventions.

The 3D Inertial Motion Moover® Sensor of the company SENSOR medica Technology in Motion (Guidonia Montecelio, Roma, Italia) was used to record cervical range of motion by evaluating cervical spine motion, acceleration and rotation. The sensor was positioned in the center of the patients' forehead on the frontal bone at the level of the glabella and was fastened around the head with the assistance of a strap. Patients were seated with their back straight and their chin parallel to the floor while looking at a target corresponding to their field of view. They were then asked to perform 3 cervica

Rotation Maximum (Baseline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	58.22	± 9.33
Acupuncture and Stretching	63.22	± 9.46

Rotation Maximum (Endline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	63.63	± 12.1
Acupuncture and Stretching	63.77	± 8.9

Rotation Average (Baseline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	55.78	± 10
Acupuncture and Stretching	60.62	± 9.84

Rotation Average (Endline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	60.7	± 14.69
Acupuncture and Stretching	61.61	± 9.52

Lateral Flexion Maximum (Baseline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	28.26	± 6.83
Acupuncture and Stretching	30.4	± 6.55

Lateral Flexion Maximum (Endline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	32.07	± 7.28
Acupuncture and Stretching	31.4	± 7.06

Lateral Flexion Average (Baseline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	27.5	± 6.67
Acupuncture and Stretching	29.5	± 6.49

Lateral Flexion Average (Endline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	31.07	± 6.9
Acupuncture and Stretching	30.73	± 7.02

Endurance of Deep Cervical Flexor Muscles of the Spine Measured by Chattanooga Stabilizer Pressure Biofeedback (PRESSURE BIOREACTION STABILIZER ) Secondary · Participants were assessed before (at baseline) and after (five weeks) the completion of the interventions.

The stabilizer assesses the endurance of deep flexor muscles of the spine using the Cranio-Cervical Flexion Test (CCF Test). The changing pressure will be recorded in an air-filled pressure cell, which is connected to a combined guide and plier. The sack is filled up with air until the 20 mmHg indication is shown. There are 5 levels of motion corresponding to a range of 20-30 mmHg of pressure (Level 1: 22 (decreased endurance), Level 2:24, Level 3: 26, Level 4: 28, Level 5:30 (increased endurance)) with a 30-second break in between. Contraction in each level lasts for 10 seconds. If the patien

Baseline

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	28.03	± 3.07
Acupuncture and Stretching	27.68	± 3.1

Endline

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	29.4	± 2.06
Acupuncture and Stretching	29.33	± 1.86

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) Measured by the Spirometer MIR Spirodoc Secondary · Participants were assessed before (at baseline) and after (five weeks) the completion of the interventions.

For the evaluation of the respiratory function, a portable spirometer of the MIR company (MIR Spirodoc) was used. The process involved the measurement of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). Each patient was given a sterilized nozzle. They were then asked to seal it with their lips and breathe normally through it while their nasal airway was blocked with the use of a clip. Patients inhaled slowly and deeply through the nozzle. Once their lungs were fully filled up with air, they were encouraged to exhale explosively for a minimum duration of 6 seconds.

Baseline

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	3.79	± 0.97
Acupuncture and Stretching	4.25	± 1.17

Endline

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	3.81	± 0.93
Acupuncture and Stretching	4.31	± 1.24

Vital Capacity (VC) Measured by the Spirometer MIR Spirodoc Secondary · Participants were assessed before (at baseline) and after (five weeks) the completion of the interventions.

For the evaluation of the respiratory function, a portable spirometer of the MIR company (MIR Spirodoc) was used. The process involved the measurement of Vital Capacity (VC). Each patient was given a sterilized nozzle. They were then asked to seal it with their lips and breathe normally through it while their nasal airway was blocked with the use of a clip. Patients inhaled slowly and deeply through the nozzle. Once their lungs were fully filled up with air, they were encouraged to exhale slowly and extensively until the lungs were fully emptied.

Baseline

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	3.25	± 0.93
Acupuncture and Stretching	3.67	± 1.37

Endline

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	3.34	± 1
Acupuncture and Stretching	3.71	± 1.3

Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) Measured by the Spirometer MIR Spirodoc Secondary · Participants were assessed before (at baseline) and after (five weeks) the completion of the interventions.

For the evaluation of the respiratory function, a portable spirometer of the MIR company (MIR Spirodoc) was used. The process involved the measurement of Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV). Each patient was given a sterilized nozzle. They were then asked to seal it with their lips and breathe normally through it while their nasal airway was blocked with the use of a clip. This test contains a rhythmical and fast rotation of deep inhalations and exhalations until a distinctive auditory signal is sounded after 15 seconds.

Baseline

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	101.88	± 30.03
Acupuncture and Stretching	118.34	± 38.12

Endline

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	112.16	± 34.6
Acupuncture and Stretching	122.82	± 38.76

Intensity and Quality of Pain Measured by the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire. Secondary · Participants were assessed before (at baseline) and after (five weeks) the completion of the interventions.

The Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SFMPQ) consists of 15 descriptors of pain sensation -11 sensory and 4 affective. The patient rates each description on a four-point intensity scale (0 - no pain, 1 - mild pain, 2 - moderate pain, and 3 - severe pain). The total score ranges from 0 to 45 points, the sensory subscale score from 0 to 33 points and the affective subscale score from 0 to 12 points. The higher the total score on the SFMPQ, the more the pain experience for the patient increases, indicating worse outcome. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Present Pain Intensity (PPI) sca

Sensory Score (Baseline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	10.24	± 6.73
Acupuncture and Stretching	9.84	± 5.78

Sensory Score (Endline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	4.69	± 5
Acupuncture and Stretching	5.18	± 5.45

Affective Score (Baseline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	3.66	± 3.77
Acupuncture and Stretching	3.04	± 2.61

Affective Score (Endline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	1.33	± 2.12
Acupuncture and Stretching	1.47	± 2.34

Total McGill Score (Baseline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	13.89	± 9.86
Acupuncture and Stretching	12.88	± 7.76

Total McGill Score (Endline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	6.02	± 6.81
Acupuncture and Stretching	6.65	± 7.42

Pain Intensity Measured by the Visual Analogue Scale Secondary · Participants were assessed before (at baseline) and after (five weeks) the completion of the interventions.

The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) measures pain intensity, asking the patient to rate their current or past level of pain by placing a mark on the line. The VAS consists of a 10cm line, with two end points representing 0 ('no pain') and 10 ('pain as bad as it could possibly be'). The following cut points have been recommended: no pain (0-0,4 cm), mild pain(0,5-4,4 cm), moderate pain (4,5-7,4 cm), and severe pain (7,5-10 cm). A higher score indicates higher pain intensity corresponding to a worse outcome.

Baseline

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	4.36	± 1.82
Acupuncture and Stretching	4.5	± 2.18

Endline

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	1.77	± 1.71
Acupuncture and Stretching	2.25	± 1.91

Present Pain Intesity Measured by the Present Pain Intensity Index. Secondary · Participants were assessed before (at baseline) and after (five weeks) the completion of the interventions.

The Present Pain Intensity (PPI) is a six-point rating scale, which ranges from 0 to 5 (0=No pain, 1=Mild, 2 =Annoying, 3=Painful, 4=Horrible, 5=Unbearable). The descriptions are ranked according to increasing intensity so each of them can reflect a higher score. The higher point corresponds to worse outcome.

Baseline

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	1.78	± 0.7
Acupuncture and Stretching	1.82	± 0.87

Endline

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	0.72	± 0.66
Acupuncture and Stretching	0.9	± 0.7

Neck Disability Measured by the Neck Disability Index Secondary · Participants were assessed before (at baseline) and after (five weeks) the completion of the interventions.

Neck Disability Index (NDI) consists of ten items, each of them corresponds to six answers from which the patient must choose only one. The lowest score for each item is zero which is assigned as no pain and no functional limitation and the maximum is five which refers to the worst pain and maximum limitation. Therefore, it is understandable that the total score ranges from zero to fifty, with values 0-4 (0%-8%) corresponding to no disability, 5-14 (10%-28%) to mild disability, 15-24 (30%-48%) to moderate disability, 25-34 (50%-68%) to severe and 35-50 (70%-100%) to absolute disability (higher

Baseline

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	12.22	± 5.76
Acupuncture and Stretching	11.92	± 5.11

Endline

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	6.62	± 5.57
Acupuncture and Stretching	5.82	± 5.03

Anxiety and Depression Measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Secondary · Participants were assessed before (at baseline) and after (five weeks) the completion of the interventions.

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a self-report scale of 14 items, which are rated on a four-point scale numbered 0-3. It has two subscales, HADS\_anxiety and HADS\_depression, each of which contains seven items. The total score ranges from 0-21 for each subscale, where values 0-7 correspond to normal depression/anxiety, 8-10 to borderline abnormal depression/anxiety, and 11-21 to abnormal depression/anxiety (higher scores mean a worse outcome).

Depression Sub-scale (Baseline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	5.68	± 3.63
Acupuncture and Stretching	4.86	± 2.72

Depression Sub-scale (Endline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	3.57	± 3.19
Acupuncture and Stretching	3.41	± 3.05

Anxiety Sub-scale (Baseline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	8.67	± 3.82
Acupuncture and Stretching	7.82	± 3.69

Anxiety Sub-scale (Endline)

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	6.62	± 3.4
Acupuncture and Stretching	5.84	± 3.76

Kinesiophobia Measured by the Tampa Scale Kinesiophobia Secondary · Participants were assessed before (at baseline) and after (five weeks) the completion of the interventions.

The Tampa Scale Kinesiophobia (TSK) is a 17-item questionnaire with a score of 17-68. Four values correspond to each of the 17 questions: 1=Strongly disagree, 2=Disagree to some extent, 3=Agree to some extent, 4=Strongly agree, while the total score is obtained after reversing questions 4, 8, 12 and 16. If the latter amounts to 37 or less then it is associated with a low fear of movement, while on the contrary, 37 or more, with an increased one.

Baseline

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	36.71	± 7.58
Acupuncture and Stretching	35.01	± 6.94

Endline

Group	Value	95% CI
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement	32.89	± 6.54
Acupuncture and Stretching	32.06	± 6.53

Sponsor's own description

This doctoral thesis is a single blind randomized controlled clinical trial with an active control element. The intervention examined in this trial is the Awareness Through Movement (ATM) technique of the Feldenkrais Method (FM), while the standard treatment given to the control group is the combination of acupuncture and stretching.

The study was designed to examine the extend of the effect of ATM, as a means of reduction of pain, improvement of functionality and psychosomatic parameters of patients with chronic neck pain, in comparison to biomedical acupuncture protocol in combination with stretching.

The effectiveness of the intervention will be compared to the effect of the standard treatment, a combination of acupuncture and stretching, in relation to parameters of pain, range of motion of rotation, flexion-extension and lateral flexion of the cervical spine and the sense of position (kinesthesia), the endurance of the cervical deep flexor muscles, respiratory function and psychometric characteristics, which are evaluated at specific times (before and after the intervention-five weeks).

During the discussion, the results of this study, in combination with the degree of validity of the observation, will be compared to those of the literature review. This comparison could contribute to the more effective clinical application of ATM in the treatment of chronic neck pain, either as part of physiotherapeutic rehabilitation, or as a unique approach.

Publications & conference data

No peer-reviewed publications indexed yet for this trial. Completed trials usually publish results within 12-18 months.