Comparing Muscle Energy Technique and Bowen Therapy for Pain, Movement, and Disability in Text Neck Syndrome

NCT07189351 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: Asma
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 78
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study compared the effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Bowen Therapy on patients with Text Neck Syndrome's pain, function ROM, and posture. Today, text neck syndrome is a growing issue. The majority of us experience this unpleasant condition to some extent. There is no study that has compared the effects of muscle energy technique and Bowen therapy, although they can both be quite effective in helping individuals with text neck syndrome reduce their discomfort, improve their range of motion, and improve their functional impairment. So, the goal of this study was to compare the two treatments' results in order to determine whether one was a better method for treating text neck syndrome patients' discomfort by enhancing range of motion and functional impairment.

Conditions

Text Neck Syndrome

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Disability

  Neck disability Index scale (NDI-U) This Neck Disability Index (NDI) scale assesses the degree of perceived pain in neck an the disability status based on daily activities and underlying cervical spine pain. Each section is scored on a 0 to 5 rating scale, in which zero means 'No pain' and 5 means 'Worst imaginable pain'. Points summed to a total score

  Baseline, 3rd week, 6th week, and 3-week follow-up after treatment completion

Study Arms (2)

Bowen Therapy with Hot Pack

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group received a hot pack followed by Bowen Therapy in prone lying position. Treatment was administered on alternate days for 6 weeks, with each session lasting 15-20 minutes. Assessments were performed at baseline, week 3, and week 6, with a follow-up at 3 weeks post-treatment.

Other: Bowen Therapy; Other: Muscle Energy Technique (Post-Isometric Relaxation)

Muscle Energy Technique with Hot Pack

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group received a hot pack applied to the neck and upper back area for 7-10 minutes, followed by Muscle Energy Technique (Post-Isometric Relaxation) for the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, scalenus, and sternocleidomastoid muscles in supine lying position. Each contraction lasted 5 seconds followed by 3 seconds of relaxation, with 5 repetitions per muscle. Treatment was given on alternate days for 6 weeks, with assessments at baseline, week 3, and week 6, and a follow-up after 3 weeks.

Other: Bowen Therapy; Other: Muscle Energy Technique (Post-Isometric Relaxation)

Interventions

Bowen Therapy OTHER

Participants received a hot pack, followed by Bowen Therapy performed in prone lying position on a plinth. Bowen moves were applied to soft tissues and muscles of the neck and upper back, aiming to reduce muscle tension and pain. Sessions lasted 15-20 minutes, administered on alternate days for 6 weeks. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 3rd week, 6th week, and at 3-week follow-up.

Bowen Therapy with Hot Pack; Muscle Energy Technique with Hot Pack

Muscle Energy Technique (Post-Isometric Relaxation) OTHER

Participants received a hot pack applied over the neck and upper back area for 7-10 minutes, followed by Muscle Energy Technique in supine lying position. Post-isometric relaxation was used for upper trapezius, levator scapulae, scalenus, and sternocleidomastoid muscles. A moderate isometric contraction was held for 5 seconds, followed by 3 seconds of relaxation, with 5 repetitions per muscle. Sessions were given on alternate days for 6 weeks. Assessments were performed at baseline, 3rd week, 6th week, and at 3-week follow-up.

Bowen Therapy with Hot Pack; Muscle Energy Technique with Hot Pack

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-35 years
• Both genders
• Using smart phone more than 4 hours per day and pain from last 6 months.
• Neck disability index greater than 10. (Seemal et al., 2022)

You may not qualify if:

• Subjects who had signs of recent surgery.
• Whiplash injury or open wounds.
• Cervical spine pathologies like radiculopathies, disc herniation, spondylolisthesis, sensory changes in neck region..
• Deformities like torticollis.
• Any inflammatory or malignant type of pain.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Lahore: lead

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr.Aqsa Majeed

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 28, 2025
• First Posted: September 23, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2025
• Study Completion: December 1, 2025
• Last Updated: September 23, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09