Abstract
Background: Nonspecific neck pain is commonly associated with limited cervical mobility, increased pain sensitivity, and postural changes. Although home exercise supports self-management, the relative effects of app-based and handout-based delivery remain unclear. Objective: This study compared video-based smartphone application and image- and text-based handout delivery on upper cervical rotation, pain sensitivity, and posture. Methods: In this pretest–posttest randomized controlled trial, 34 patients with nonspecific neck pain were assigned to an experimental or control group. Both groups received the same basic physical therapy and home exercise program three times weekly for 6 weeks. The experimental group used a video-based smartphone application, whereas the control group used a handout. Upper cervical rotation range of motion, upper trapezius pressure pain threshold, rounded shoulder height, and shoulder height angle were assessed before and after treatment. Results: Upper cervical rotation increased in both groups, with greater improvement in the experimental group. Left pressure pain threshold increased only in the experimental group, while right pressure pain threshold increased in both groups; improvements were greater in the experimental group bilaterally. Left rounded shoulder height decreased only in the experimental group and right rounded shoulder height decreased in both groups, but between-group differences were not significant. Shoulder height angle did not change significantly. Conclusions: Greater improvements in upper cervical rotation and bilateral pressure pain threshold were observed in the video-based app group than in the handout group.