Effectiveness of Exercise in the Treatment of Upper Cross Syndrome

NCT06185322 | Unknown

• 1 other identifier: KA23/139
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Upper cross syndrome (UCS) is a common postural deformity characterized by a change in neck, torso and shoulder muscle activity and shoulder movement. UCS results in a shortening of the upper back and chest muscles as well as the muscles which provide movement to the shoulder blade. This is accompanied by weakness of the upper back muscles, shoulder blade stabilizor muscles and deep neck muscles. The resultant muscle imbalance leads to elevation of the shoulders, elongation of the neck and rounding of the back. The change in posture which occurs in UCS changes the biomechanics of the neck and upper back and can results in neck pain, adverse effects on daily activities and productivity. To date, studies have been done on treatment of elongation of the neck using muscle relaxation techniques and manipulation of the local structures. To date, there is no study which investigates the efficacy of a specific exercise program targeting the muscles affected by UCS. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of UCS-specific exercises on neck-back pain, cervical posture, disability and quality of life.

Conditions

Upper Cross Syndrome

Keywords

upper cross syndrome; forward head position; posture; neck pain; cervicalgia; pain ,cervical; posture balance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Visual analogue scale measurement of severity of neck pain

  A subjective measure of neck pain severity in the past week measured using a visual analogue scale from 0-100mm. 0mm signifies no pain, 100mm signifies the worst pain imaginable.

  Before physcial therapy treatment is commenced, after 10 sessions of physical therapy has been completed (2 weeks after commencement of therapy), three months after physical therapy has been completed.

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Neck disability index (NDI)

  Before physcial therapy treatment is commenced, three months after physical therapy has been completed.

• Nottingham Health Profile (NHP)

  Before physcial therapy treatment is commenced, three months after physical therapy has been completed.

• Goniometric measurement of cervical range of motion

  Before physcial therapy treatment is commenced, three months after physical therapy has been completed.

• Occiput to wall distance and tragus to wall distance

  Before physcial therapy treatment is commenced, three months after physical therapy has been completed.

• Radiographic evaluation of cervical posture and cervicothoracic alignment: Measure of cervical lordotic angle

  Before physcial therapy treatment is commenced, three months after physical therapy has been completed.

Study Arms (2)

Neck strengthening exercises group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

10 sessions of physical therapy over two weeks.Each session will consist of 20 minutes of hotpack and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and 10minutes of therapeutic ultrasound. Exercise sessions lasting 20minutes will consist of conventional neck isometric strengthening exercises under the supervision of a single physiotherapist. These exercises will be repeated 5 times each, twice daily. A brochure depicting each exercise,accompanied by a description,will be given to the patient.The patient will continue with the exercise program for 3 months and be reminded once a week via telephone.

Other: Physical therapy program with conventional neck strengthening exercises

Upper Cross Syndrome exercises group

EXPERIMENTAL

10sessions of physical therapy over two weeks.Each session will consist of 20minutes of hotpack and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and 10minutes of therapeutic ultrasound.Exercise sessions lasting 20minutes will consist of stretching and strengthening exercises under the supervision of a single physiotherapist.Strengthening exercises for the deep neck flexors,upper and middle trapezius,serratus anterior will be performed by the patient.Ten repetitions of each exercise,three times daily will be recommended.Stretching exercises will include those for the upper trapezius,pectoralis majör,levator scapula,suboccipital and sternocleidemastoid muscles and izometric neck flexion-extension exercises.These will be repeated 5times each,twice daily.A brochure depicting each exercise,accompanied by a description,will be given to the patient.The patient will continue with the exercise program for 3 months and be reminded once a week via telephone.

Other: Physical therapy program with upper cross syndrome specific exercises

Interventions

Physical therapy program with upper cross syndrome specific exercises OTHER

Ten physical therapy sessions consisting of electrotherapy and upper cross syndrome -specific exercise program.

Upper Cross Syndrome exercises group

Physical therapy program with conventional neck strengthening exercises OTHER

Ten physical therapy sessions consisting of electrotherapy and conventional neck strenthening exercises

Neck strengthening exercises group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 30 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may not qualify if:

• History of cervical spine trauma or surgery
• Congenital postural deformity
• A history of inflammatory arthritis
• A diagnosis of torticollis, vertigo, pregnancy, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, heart failure, ischaemic heart disease, hypertension.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Baskent University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Oculocerebral hypopigmentation syndrome type Preus; Neck Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The physiatrist who will initially assess, diagnose and collect outcome measures, will be blind to the study group of the patient. The patient will not know whether they are receiving the detailed exercise program or conventional exercise program.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor Doctor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 6, 2023
• First Posted: December 29, 2023
• Study Start: January 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: December 30, 2024
• Study Completion: January 30, 2025
• Last Updated: December 29, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-12