Effects of Post Isometric Relaxation as Compared to Post Isometric Stretching Muscle Energy Technique in the Management of Neck Pain: a Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT07328256 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: FUI/CTR/2025/08
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to compare the effects of post-isometric relaxation (PIR) and post isometric stretching (PIS) techniques on reducing neck pain, improving range of motion, and decreasing neck disability in individuals with neck pain. A randomized controlled trial will be conducted with 50 participants, who will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receiving PIR and the other receiving PIS. A single-blind method will be used, meaning the participants will not know which group they belong to. Participants will be selected based on specific criteria related to neck pain and will then be randomly allocated to the PIR or PIS group. Initially, all participants will receive two standard treatments: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and hot pack application. After these treatments, one group will undergo post-isometric relaxation (PIR), which involves 3-5 repetitions of muscle contraction and relaxation, conducted over five consecutive sessions. The other group will receive post-isometric stretching (PIS), which involves stretching after muscle contraction and relaxation, also administered over five consecutive sessions. At the end of the intervention, pain, range of motion, and neck disability will be measured. Pain will be assessed using a standardised pain scale, range of motion will be measured with a goniometer or other appropriate tools, and neck disability will be evaluated using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Statistical analysis will be performed to compare the effectiveness of PIR and PIS in terms of pain reduction, range of motion improvement, and decreased neck disability.

Conditions

Chronic Neck Pain

Keywords

Subacute neck pain; Neck Muscles; Chronic Neck Pain; Pain Management; Muscle Relaxation; Isometric Contraction

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Pain Intensity

  The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) will be used to measure the intensity of neck pain before and after the intervention. Participants will mark their level of pain on a 100 mm horizontal line, where: 0 mm indicates "no pain", and 100 mm indicates "the worst imaginable pain".

  1 week

• Cervical range of motion

  A universal goniometer will be used to assess cervical spine mobility in the following directions: Flexion Extension Lateral Flexion (Right and Left) Rotation (Right and Left) ROM will be recorded in degrees.

  1 week

• Functional Disability

  The Neck Disability Index (NDI) will be used to assess functional impairment related to neck pain. It is a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 10 sections, including pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headaches, concentration, work, driving, sleeping, and recreation. Each section is scored from 0 to 5, with higher total scores indicating greater disability. The NDI is a validated, open-access tool commonly used in research to measure changes in disability levels pre- and post-intervention.

  1 week

Study Arms (2)

Post Isometric Relaxation

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Post-Isometric Relaxation (PIR) is used for treating muscle tightness or spasms. It involves a sequence of steps that aim to improve flexibility and reduce muscle tension.

Procedure: Post Isometric Relaxation

Post Isometric Stretching

EXPERIMENTAL

Post-Isometric Stretching (PIS) is a technique used improve flexibility while working on passive tone of the muscle

Procedure: Post Isometric Relaxation; Procedure: Post Isometric Stretching

Interventions

Post Isometric Stretching PROCEDURE

All patients were given Trans-Cutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in combination with superficial heat for 10 minutes. with a session of 5 days/ week.Group B (PIS) : In this group participants performed 3-5 rounds of post-isometric relaxation (PIR), which is then followed by a stretch of the same muscle to its new range of motion. Followed by rest of 5 seconds, and then stretching the muscle and holding the stretch for 10-60 seconds

Post Isometric Stretching

Post Isometric Relaxation PROCEDURE

All patients were given Trans-Cutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in combination with superficial heat for 10 minutes. with a session of 5 days/ week. Group A (PIR) : In this group, participants performed 3-5 rounds of post-isometric relaxation (PIR). Each round involved contracting the target muscle at 30-50% strength for 7-10 seconds, resting for 5 seconds .

Post Isometric Relaxation; Post Isometric Stretching

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 19 Years - 44 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Both gender
• With sub-acute or chronic neck pain for at least 4 to 12 weeks
• Pain intensity on NPRS ranging 4-8
• Limitation on neck movement

You may not qualify if:

• Positive history of fracture
• Surgery in the cervical region
• Any sort of physical trauma in the cervical region in the last 12 months
• Thoracic Outlet syndrome
• Cervical radiculopathy
• Cervical myelopathy
• Cervical spondylosis
• Cervical syringomyelia
• Any systemic disorder including malignancy or inflammatory and rheumatic disorders
• Infection
• Vascular syndromes such as vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Foundation University Islamabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

Foundation University College of Physical Therapy

Islamabad, Punjab Province, 46000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Agnosia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Perceptual Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• FUI

  Foundation University Islamabad

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Areeka Riasat, DPT

CONTACT

03219390688; arikariasat4830@gmail.com

Muhammad Furqan Hassan, MS-OMPT

CONTACT

+923334056768; furqan.hassan@fui.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 26, 2025
• First Posted: January 9, 2026
• Study Start: January 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 30, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 15, 2026
• Last Updated: January 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-10

Locations

PA (1)