Mulligan Technique for Chronic Neck Pain in Adults

NCT07167108 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: AAUJ-PT-2025-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 76
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effect of the Mulligan Technique, a manual therapy method, on reducing chronic neck pain and improving neck movement in adults aged 18 to 65 years. Participants will receive treatment sessions, and their pain levels and range of motion will be assessed. The goal is to determine if this technique can help improve quality of life for people suffering from chronic neck pain.

Conditions

Chronic Neck Pain

Keywords

Neck pain; Mobilization; Mulligan Concept; Mobilization with Movement (MWM); Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide (SNAG); Range of Motion (ROM)

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change from baseline in pain intensity measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  Pain intensity will be measured using a 0-10 Visual Analog Scale at baseline and post-intervention. The change in pain scores will be reported.

  Before treatment (baseline) and 4 weeks (end of treatment)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change from baseline in cervical range of motion (ROM) measured by goniometer (degrees)

  Before treatment (baseline) and 4 weeks (end of treatment)

• Change from baseline in neck-related disability measured by the Neck Disability Index (NDI)

  Before treatment (baseline) and 4 weeks (end of treatment)

Study Arms (2)

Control group received a conventional physical therapy program

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Control group (A) (n = 32) received a conventional physical therapy program that included exercises, electrical stimulation, and massage.

Other: Conventional Physical Therapy Program

The experimental group received conventional program, with addition to Mulligan technique

EXPERIMENTAL

The experimental group (B) (n=38) received the same conventional physical therapy program, with the addition of the Mulligan technique.

Other: Conventional program, with addition to Mulligan technique

Interventions

Conventional program, with addition to Mulligan technique OTHER

The Mulligan Concept is a manual therapy approach developed by New Zealand physiotherapist Brian Mulligan in the 1980s. It includes techniques such as Mobilization with Movement (MWM) and the Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide (SNAG), which have attracted significant attention for their effectiveness in treating neck pain. Recent research has supported the benefits of physiotherapy interventions like SNAGs in improving cervical range of motion (ROM) and reducing pain.

Also known as: Mulligan Concept

The experimental group received conventional program, with addition to Mulligan technique

Conventional Physical Therapy Program OTHER

Included exercises, electrical stimulation, and massage.

Control group received a conventional physical therapy program

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Age between 18-65 years.
• Chronic mechanical neck pain (≥ 3 months).
• Limited cervical range of motion (ROM).
• Medically diagnosed with non-specific neck pain.
• Able to attend treatment sessions.

You may not qualify if:

• Radiating pain to the upper limb.
• Signs of nerve root compression or disc herniation.
• History of cervical spine surgery or major trauma.
• Inflammatory joint diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).
• Osteoporosis or systemic medical conditions affecting bone/joint health.
• Fibromyalgia or central nervous system disorders.
• Contraindications to manual therapy (e.g., pacemaker, vascular disorders).
• Recent physical therapy or steroid injections (within past 3-12 months).
• Long-term use of corticosteroids or pain medications.
• Pregnancy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Prof. Mosab Saleem Hamed Amoudi: lead

Study Sites (1)

PhysioFlex - Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Center-Nablus

Nablus, Nablus, +970, Palestinian Territories

Location

Related Links

• Related Info

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Amoudi

  Arab American University (Palestine)

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Mosab S Amoudi

  Arab American University - Jenin

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 26, 2025
• First Posted: September 11, 2025
• Study Start: March 2, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2025
• Study Completion: June 5, 2025
• Last Updated: September 11, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)