Effects of Muscle Specific as Compared to Movement Specific Muscle Energy Technique on Isometric Muscle Strength and Muscular Endurance in Individuals With Mechanical Neck Pain

NCT07329478 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: FUI/CTR/2025/25
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Neck pain, prevalent in young adults due to poor posture, sedentary habits, and muscle imbalance. This study aims to compare the effects of muscle-specific versus movement-specific MET on pain, isometric muscle strength, and endurance of neck flexors and extensors. Pre- and post-intervention assessments using VAS, Modified Sphygmomanometer Dynamometer, and cranio-cervical flexion/extension tests will evaluate treatment outcomes.

Conditions

Neck Pain

Keywords

muscle strength; Movement Specific Muscle Energy Technique; Muscle Specific Muscle Energy Technique

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Pain Intensity

  Visual Analog Scale will be used for measuring pain intensity, 0 is no pain and 10 is worst pain.

  5 days

• Isometric muscle strength

  Modified Sphygmomanometer Dynamometer will be used to measure isometric muscle strength. In which Higher pressure is stronger muscles; lower values suggest weakness or dysfunction.

  5 days

• Muscle endurance

  Cranio-cervical flexion Test/ Cranio-cervical extension Test will be used for measuring muscle endurance. Strong contraction means normal; weakness suggests flexors/extensors' dysfunction.

  5 days

Study Arms (2)

A:Muscle specific muscle energy technique

EXPERIMENTAL

Group A receives Muscle specific muscle energy technique. Tens and Hotpack 10 mins preceding every session.

Procedure: Muscle specific muscle energy technique

B: Movement specific muscle energy technique

EXPERIMENTAL

Group B receives Movement specific muscle energy technique. Tens and Hotpack preceding every session for 10 mins.

Procedure: Movement specific muscle energy technique

Interventions

Muscle specific muscle energy technique PROCEDURE

In the muscle specific MET group, the participants were given post-isometric relaxation MET targeted at muscles of the neck region that are prone to get short, including anterior, middle and posterior Scalene, Sternocleidomastoid, Levator Scapulae and upper fibers of Trapezius muscle. Active Contraction: The participant rotated left (opposite direction) with 30-50% effort against the therapist's resistance for 7-10 seconds. Relaxation: The participant relaxed completely. Stretching: The therapist gently moved the head towards the restricted range (right rotation) and held the stretch for 10-60 seconds. This technique enhances mobility and reduces muscular tension by combining. Tens and Hot pack therapy for both groups preceding every session for 10 mins.

A:Muscle specific muscle energy technique

Movement specific muscle energy technique PROCEDURE

In the movement-specific group, participants received Post-Isometric Relaxation MET targeting cervical spine movements (flexion, extension, rotation, lateral flexion). For example, during right rotation: Active Contraction: The participant rotated left (opposite direction) with 30-50% effort against the therapist's resistance for 7-10 seconds. Relaxation: The participant relaxed completely. Stretching: The therapist gently moved the head towards the restricted range (right rotation) and held the stretch for 10-60 seconds. This technique enhances mobility and reduces muscular tension by combining contraction, relaxation, and stretching.

B: Movement specific muscle energy technique

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Age 19-44 years.
• Both Genders (Male and Female).
• Limitation on cervical motion
• Pain ranging from 40-80 mm on visual analogue scale (VAS)

You may not qualify if:

• Participants with a positive history of fracture, surgery or trauma in the neck region, thoracic outlet syndrome, infection, any malignancy.
• Vascular syndromes such as vertebrobasilar insufficiency.
• Inflammatory, or rheumatic disorders, cervical radiculopathy, myelopathy, spondylosis, or syringomyelia.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Foundation University Islamabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

Foundation University Islamabad

Islamabad, Punjab Province, 46000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Central Study Contacts

Zaib ul Hassan, DPT

CONTACT

+92336-5667805; zaibulhassan13@gmail.com

Hafiza Ali Bin Asim, MS-SPT

CONTACT

+923135088144; ali.asim@fui.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: assessor will be blind
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 29, 2025
• First Posted: January 9, 2026
• Study Start: January 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 30, 2025
• Study Completion: January 15, 2026
• Last Updated: January 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

PA (1)