Effects of Muscle Energy Technique Versus Cervical and Scapulothoracic Stabilization Exercises in Upper Crossed Syndrome

NCT07025993 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: Jaazba- REC/RCR&AHS 24/0137
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will be a randomized clinical trial and will be conducted in Younus Hospital, Tehsil headquarters hospital Daska, and Riphah Rehabilitation Clinic Lahore. Non-probability consecutive sampling will be used to collect the data. A sample size of 40 subjects with an age group between 18-65 years will be taken. Data will be collected from the patients having present complaints of Neck pain associated with upper cross syndrome. Outcome measures will be taken using the Numeric Rating Pain Scale (NRPS) for pain and the Neck disability index (NDI) for neck functional health and craniovertebral angle for posture. An informed consent will be taken. Subjects will be selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and will be equally divided into two groups by a random number generator table. Both Groups will receive Moist Hot Pack, Cervical segmental mobilizations, and Free Neck Exercises (AROMs), while Group A will receive Muscle energy technique(eccentric muscle energy technique for the cervical spine with Mets for upper trapezius, Suboccipitalis and pectoralis muscle), and Group B will receive cervical and scapulothoracic stabilization exercises(axial elongation exercise, craniocervical flexion, cervical extension and Cervico-scapulothoracic stabilization exercises). Outcome measures will be measured at baseline and after 4 weeks. Data analysis will be done by SPSS version 25.

Conditions

Upper Cross Syndrome

Keywords

Posture; Neck Pain; Upper Cross Syndrome; Exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Numeric Rating Pain Scale (NRPS)

  The patient's level of pain will be assessed using this scale. This scale ranges from 0 to 10. 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "worst pain".

  Baseline, 4th Week

• Neck disability index (NDI)

  The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a 10-item questionnaire that measures a patient's self-reported neck pain-related disability

  Baseline, 4th Week

• Craniovertebral angle (CVA)

  The craniovertebral angle is identified as the intersection of a horizontal line passing through the C7 spinous process and a line joining the midpoint of the tragus of the ear to the skin overlying the C7 spinous process

  Baseline, 4th Week

Study Arms (2)

Group A

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Other: Muscle Energy Technique

Group B

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Eccentric muscle energy technique

Interventions

Muscle Energy Technique OTHER

Eccentric muscle energy technique was applied to subjects' cervical spine. The cervical spine will brought to the barrier of motion in each plane i.e. flexion/extension, lateral bending and rotation. Then subjects will asked to push their heads into the direction opposite that of the barrier. The therapist provided isometric resistance for 3- 5 seconds, after which the subjects relaxed their muscles completely and the therapist applied stretch.

Group A

Eccentric muscle energy technique OTHER

Eccentric muscle energy technique was applied to subjects' cervical spine. The cervical spine will brought to the barrier of motion in each plane i.e. flexion/extension, lateral bending and rotation. Then subjects will asked to push their heads into the direction opposite that of the barrier. The therapist provided isometric resistance for 3- 5 seconds, after which the subjects relaxed their muscles completely and the therapist applied stretch. Three to five repetitions will performed.

Group B

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Both gender diagnosed with upper crossed syndrome
• Patient having neck pain of 4 to 12 weeks
• Pain reported on NRPS score ˃6/10 in the neck region
• Subjects agree to sign the written consent form.

You may not qualify if:

• Tuberculosis, carcinoma, heart disease, and osteoporosis
• Neural disorders due to prolapsed intervertebral disc
• Any trauma or localized infection in neck region
• Upper motor neuron disease, cervical stenosis, and metabolic diseases in bone and joint
• Hyper flexibility
• Open sores
• Ongoing radiotherapy, chemotherapy, steroid therapy, or anticoagulants
• Psychiatric diseases such as phobia/obsession and depression
• Allergy to hot pack

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Riphah Rehabilitation Clinic

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

Related Publications (3)

• Mujawar JC, Sagar JH. Prevalence of Upper Cross Syndrome in Laundry Workers. Indian J Occup Environ Med. 2019 Jan-Apr;23(1):54-56. doi: 10.4103/ijoem.IJOEM_169_18.

  PMID: 31040591 BACKGROUND

• Chang MC, Choo YJ, Hong K, Boudier-Reveret M, Yang S. Treatment of Upper Crossed Syndrome: A Narrative Systematic Review. Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Aug 17;11(16):2328. doi: 10.3390/healthcare11162328.

  PMID: 37628525 BACKGROUND

• Ali S, Ahmad S, Jalal Y, Shah B. Effectiveness of Stretching Exercises Versus Muscle Energy Techniques in the Management of Upper Cross Syndrome: JRCRS. 2017; 5 (1): 12-16. Journal Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences. 2017;5(1):12-6

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Oculocerebral hypopigmentation syndrome type Preus; Neck Pain; Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Danish Hassan, PhD

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Syed Shakil ur Rehman, PhD

CONTACT

+92 345 7946009; shakil.urrehman@riphah.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 11, 2025
• First Posted: June 18, 2025
• Study Start: March 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: August 30, 2025
• Study Completion: September 30, 2025
• Last Updated: June 18, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)