Exercise trial reports less neck pain, with mixed mood results
Exercise groups had better pain and disability results than controls, but the interval-training group also showed a higher anxiety score than the aerobic group.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Both aerobic training and high-intensity interval training produced lower neck-pain and disability scores than the control condition in this small trial. The abstract does not establish that either exercise approach was better for these outcomes. Mood results were mixed: depression scores improved with interval training, while anxiety scores increased compared with aerobic training.
The abstract gives no effect sizes, confidence intervals or description of the control condition. This abstract-based account therefore cannot show how large or meaningful the differences were, or clarify the unexpected anxiety result.
What researchers found
Pain intensity and Neck Disability Index
At 8 weeks, aerobic training and interval training versus control; effect sizes and confidence intervals were not provided.
Several outcomes were assessed
Participants were randomly assigned to aerobic training, interval training or a control group. Researchers assessed pain, neck movement, neck muscle performance, disability and mood, giving the study several distinct kinds of outcomes.
Mood findings were mixed
The interval group had better depression scores than both comparison groups, yet its anxiety score increased relative to aerobic training. This opposite direction should remain visible when interpreting the abstract's generally positive conclusion.
The original publication
A Three-Arm Randomized Trial of Aerobic Training Versus High-Intensity Interval Training on Clinical and Functional Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain.
Çınar SA, Demirel A, Şahiner ML et al.
Niger J Clin Pract · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41776793
- Record checked
AI-assisted research and writing. This explains one selected publication; it is not a complete review of everything known. Our approach.
One more question, understood.
Keep track of the research you’ve explored.