Myofascial Release With and Without Autogenic Inhibition Muscle Energy Technique in Non-specific Chronic Neck Pain

NCT07331571 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR & AHS/24/0178
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 44
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The study was conducted to determine the effects of myofascial release therapy with and without autogenic inhibition muscle energy technique in patients with non-specific chronic neck pain.

Conditions

Non Specific Chronic Neck Pain

Keywords

Neck Ache; Myofascial Release Therapy; Autogenic Inhibition Technique; Muscle Energy Technique; Chronic Neck Pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Numeric Pain Rating Scale

  Numeric Pain Rating Scale is utilized to evaluate pain. It consists of 11 points, having an overall score ranging from 0 and 10, where: 0 represents no pain, 1 - 3 represents mild pain, 4 - 6 represents moderate pain and 7 - 10 represents the most severe pain.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

• Neck Disability Index

  Neck Disability Index is a questionnaire that has 10-questions for determining cervical pain and functional disability linked with the activities of daily living. It consists of questions on pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headaches, concentration, work, driving, sleeping and recreation. Scores in each item is described in 6 stages, from 0 to 5 points. The total of 0-4 points indicate no disability, 5-14 points indicate mild disability, 15-24 points indicate moderate disability, 25-34 points indicate severe disability and 35-50 points indicate complete disability

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• ROM Cervical Spine (Flexion)

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

• ROM Cervical Spine (Extension)

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

• ROM Cervical Spine (Lateral Flexion) Left Side

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

• ROM Cervical Spine (Lateral Flexion) Right Side

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

• ROM Cervical Spine (Rotation) Left Side

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Myofascial Release with Autogenic Inhibition Muscle Energy Technique

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Autogenic Inhibition Muscle Energy Technique; Other: Myofasical Release Therapy; Other: Standardized Physiotherapy Treatment

Myofascial Release Therapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Other: Myofasical Release Therapy; Other: Standardized Physiotherapy Treatment

Interventions

Autogenic Inhibition Muscle Energy Technique OTHER

AI MET was applied for upper trapezius 5 times for each side, similarly for levator scapulae it was applied 5 times for each side. AI MET was applied for posterior, middle and anterior fibres of scalene muscle. For sternocleidomastoid muscle it was applied for at least twice for each side. 8 sessions were conducted for 6 weeks, with 3 sessions scheduled every week.

Myofascial Release with Autogenic Inhibition Muscle Energy Technique

Myofasical Release Therapy OTHER

MFR for upper trapezius and levator scapulae was carried out 5 times for each side. A total of 18 sessions were conducted for 6 weeks, with 3 sessions scheduled every week.

Myofascial Release Therapy; Myofascial Release with Autogenic Inhibition Muscle Energy Technique

Standardized Physiotherapy Treatment OTHER

Electric hot pack for 10 minutes for 10 minutes, TENS with frequency of 120Hz at low intensity having pulse duration of 50-200μs for 10 minutes \& Grade I and II Maitland posteroanterior central glide with 3 sets of 30 oscillations, for alleviation of pain at the target vertebral segment.

Myofascial Release Therapy; Myofascial Release with Autogenic Inhibition Muscle Energy Technique

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Neck pain for at least 3 months
• Pain intensity on NPRS between 4 to 7
• Limited neck range of motion
• Use of computer for at least 2 hours daily
• Negative Sharp-Purser and alar ligaments test (to rule out atlantoaxial instability, integrity of transverse and alar ligaments)

You may not qualify if:

• History of trauma
• Cervical spine fracture
• Open neck surgery
• Cervical radiculopathy
• Paresthesia
• Cervical myelopathy
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Fibromyalgia
• Hemorrhage tendency and/or anticoagulation treatment
• Whiplash Injury

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Rehab Max Physio & Sports Injury Clinic

Layyah, Punjab Province, 31200, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Shakil ur Rehman, Ph.D

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

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: December 29, 2025
• First Posted: January 12, 2026
• Study Start: January 13, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 31, 2025
• Study Completion: October 31, 2025
• Last Updated: January 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)