The NEXERCISE-trial: Reshaping Exercise Programs for Patients With Non-specific Neck Pain

A combined treatment program with specific active neck exercises and general aerobic training in counteractive amount will be executed during 12 weeks. Nine supervised sessions will be supplemented with 1 to 3 weekly unsupervised home exercise sessions.

This program includes an individual, patient-tailored exercise program with the aim of retraining the neck musculature. A detailed exercise programme will be constructed in which all exercises are listed with the amount of repetitions and series of each exercise. Strength exercises will be performed by means of dumbbells with different weights and elastic bands with different degrees of resistance. The amount of weight or resistance, and the amount of series and repetitions will be evaluated during the first session. This exercise programme will be re-evaluated repeatedly during the course of the program. Specific strength neck exercises will be performed for 30 minutes. Nine supervised sessions will be supplemented with 1 to 3 weekly unsupervised home exercise sessions.

This control group will receive a general aerobic exercise program. Within a 12-week period, patients will be instructed to perform a general aerobic exercise session 3 times a week.