The ReconNECKt Trial – Education and exercises to improve neck pain: A randomised controlled telehealth trial
About the study
This study aims to test two different treatments that involve education and exercises for people with neck pain. Specifically, we are interested to see if these programs have long-term positive effects on neck pain and other symptoms. We are also interested to see if these treatments might reduce costs to the health system.
Participants will receive series of free treatment sessions within 12 weeks with a registered allied health clinician (e.g., physiotherapist) via telehealth (video call). Participants will also be asked to complete online surveys at baseline, 1 week, 10 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months.
Eligibility requirements
Adults (over 18 years of age) who will be living in Australia over the next 12 months, and who have neck pain that has been present for at least 3 months, which did not start due to an accident or significant injury (e.g., car accident/whiplash, bad fall), may be eligible to participate.
Eligible participants must also who have access to a device with internet and a front-facing camera (e.g., smartphone, tablet, laptop) that will enable video calls for telehealth and completion of online surveys, and a trusted person (e.g., partner, housemate) who is willing and able to assist with assessments and treatments.
People who will not be able to participate include those with: severe migraine, headache, and/or dizziness; severe psychological or mental health disorder (e.g., major depression or post-traumatic stress disorder); cognitive impairment (e.g., dementia, Alzheimer’s disease); diagnosed fibromyalgia; scheduled for major surgery during the next 12 months; other serious and uncontrolled health conditions that will limit their ability to safely participate in the treatment, including neurological conditions (e.g., stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease), diabetes, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, lung disease, known or suspected serious spinal pathology (e.g., fracture, cancer, inflammatory or infective diseases of the spine, widespread neurological disorder), previous spinal surgery, or radiculopathy/nerve root compromise.
Last, people who are not fluent in English, who do not have normal (or corrected to normal) vision and hearing, and who are unable to commit to study requirements (i.e., unable to attend study appointments or complete study questionnaires), will not be able to participate.
Recruitment timeline
Start of recruitment: August 2026
End of recruitment: December 2027
Benefits
All participants will receive treatments that have been shown to increase function and reduce pain in people with neck pain. Therefore, you may receive personal benefit from participating. Your participation will also provide wider benefits to the community by providing important information on the treatment so that we can determine if this type of treatment should be provided to those with neck pain.
Participants who complete all study assessments will be reimbursed with a $50 gift voucher at the end of their participation in the trial.
Contact details
Dr Felicity Braithwaite, Trial Coordinator. Email: neckpaintrial@gmail.com