Comparative Effects of Sahrmann and Kendall Exercises in Patients With Text Neck Syndrome.

NCT07403344 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR & AHS/24/0183
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 64
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The study was conducted to determine the comparative effects of Sahrmann and Kendall exercises on pain, range of motion and disability in patients with text neck syndrome.

Conditions

Text Neck Syndrome

Keywords

Disability; Neck pain; Range of motion; Kendall exercise; Sahrmann exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Numeric Pain Rating Scale

  The Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a subjective measure in which individuals rate their pain on an eleven-point numerical scale. The scale is composed of 0 (no pain at all) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

• Neck Disability Index

  Neck pain disability index is used for the disability of the neck or the impact of neck pain on a person. This 10-item questionnaire is used to assess the patient overall quality of life as well as the personal ability to perform activities of daily living. It has various categories ranging from personal care, lifting, reading etc. it has a scoring range from zero disability. The greater the scored the higher the disability of neck.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• ROM Cervical Spine (Flexion)

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

• ROM Cervical Spine (Extension)

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

• ROM Cervical Spine (Lateral Flexion) Left Side

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

• ROM Cervical Spine (lateral Flexion) Right Side

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

• ROM Cervical Spine (Rotation) Left Side

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Sahrmann exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Sahrmann exercise; Other: Standard Physical Therapy Treatment

Kendall Exercise

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Other: Kendall exercise; Other: Standard Physical Therapy Treatment

Interventions

Sahrmann exercise OTHER

Sahrmann exercises which include Deep Neck Flexor Activation (Chin Tucks), Cervical Flexion with Scapular Stabilization, Shoulder Blade Retractions, Controlled Cervical Rotations, Scapular Depression with Resistance Bands, Neck Flexion Isometric, Cervical Side Bending with Resistance, Thoracic Extension Exercises. Each containing 5 repetitions, each held for 5-10 seconds, Total 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks.

Sahrmann exercise

Kendall exercise OTHER

Kendall exercise includes Deep Neck Flexor Activation (supine chin tucks) for 2 to 8s, stretch cervical extensors, Scapular Retraction with resistance, Pectoralis major and minor stretch. Each posture was maintained for 30s and 6 sets of 12 repetitions were performed with 3 sessions per week on alternate days for 4 weeks.

Kendall Exercise

Standard Physical Therapy Treatment OTHER

Both groups were given Standard Physical Therapy treatment including hot pack (applying a moist heat pack to the neck for 7-10 minutes, relaxing muscles, and alleviating pain. Use a towel as a barrier to avoid burns.) and Soft Tissue Mobilization Protocol (involves applying targeted pressure to neck muscles, releasing tension and improving circulation. Additionally, postural education focused on maintaining an upright posture while using mobile devices. This involved holding the device close to eye level and using it while either standing or sitting. Repeat 2-3 times daily for 4 weeks.

Kendall Exercise; Sahrmann exercise

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Aged from 18 to 35 years
• Both male and female were included.
• Participants who used smartphone for more than 2 hours daily
• Participant with neck pain aggravated by sustained posture, stiffness on neck and neck turning, the Craniovertebral angle (CVA) \<50°
• Participant with rounded shoulder angle (RSA) greater than 52° (51)
• Participants with pain greater than 5 on numeric pain rating scale (NPRS)
• Participants with neck disability index (NDI) of \>10

You may not qualify if:

• Participants with any spinal infection example: osteomyelitis
• Participant with any inflammatory condition example: rheumatoid arthritis
• Participant with any previous cervical surgery
• Traumatic injury
• Torticollis, and scoliosis or any pregnant females
• Participant with any disc prolapse or other spinal issues like stenosis, herniation of disc, spondylolisthesis and osteoporosis
• Participants taking pain related medication or have gone under physical therapy sessions
• Participant with Malignancy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

PulseCore Physio and Rehab Centre

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

Location

Related Publications (4)

• Letafatkar A, Rabiei P, Alamooti G, Bertozzi L, Farivar N, Afshari M. Effect of therapeutic exercise routine on pain, disability, posture, and health status in dentists with chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2020 Apr;93(3):281-290. doi: 10.1007/s00420-019-01480-x. Epub 2019 Oct 25.

  PMID: 31654125 BACKGROUND

• Jabbar KM, Gandomi F. The comparison of two corrective exercise approaches for hyperkyphosis and forward head posture: A quasi-experimental study. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2021;34(4):677-687. doi: 10.3233/BMR-200160.

  PMID: 33896809 BACKGROUND

• Abdel-Aziem AA, Mohamed RR, Draz AH, Azab AR, Hegazy FA, Diab RH. The effect of McKenzie protocol vs. deep neck flexor and scapulothoracic exercises in subjects with chronic neck pain - a randomized controlled study. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2022 May;26(9):3138-3150. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202205_28731.

  PMID: 35587064 BACKGROUND

• Abu-Taleb W, Yamany AA, Aneis YM, Abu El Kasem ST. Effect of adding global postural reeducation to kendall exercises for treating asymptomatic forward head posture: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2025 Jun;42:938-947. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.01.039. Epub 2025 Feb 6.

  PMID: 40325777 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Saba Rafique, MS-OMPT

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

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: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 4, 2026
• First Posted: February 11, 2026
• Study Start: January 13, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 31, 2025
• Study Completion: October 31, 2025
• Last Updated: February 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)