Effect of Myofascial Release Therapy on University Students With Text Neck Syndrome.

NCT07444112 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: UHS/USERC-26/SEC/91
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 62
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to determine the effectiveness of myofascial release therapy in university students with text neck syndrome as prolonged smartphone and digital gadgets use has been associated with neck pain, forward head posture, and increased perceived stress among young adults with screen time more than 3 hours. Participants will be randomly allocated into control group and intervention group and will be treated for 4 weeks. Clinical outcomes including neck pain, neck pain intensity, craniovertebral angle for posture assessment, and perceived stress levels will be measured at baseline and post-intervention. The study seeks to determine whether Myofascial Release Therapy acts as a non-invasive technique in improving musculoskeletal and psychosocial parameters related to text neck.

Conditions

Text Neck Syndrome

Keywords

text neck syndrome; neck pain; forward head posture; perceived stress; myofascial release therapy; randomized controlled trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Neck Pain

  Neck pain will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where participants rate their pain intensity on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain)

  Baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention

• Perceived Stress

  Perceived stress will be assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), a validated questionnaire measuring the degree to which situations in one's life are appraised as stressful.

  Baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention

• Forward Head Posture

  Forward Head Posture will be measured using the craniovertebral angle (CVA) from lateral photographs using Kinovea Software. A smaller angle indicates a more pronounced forward head posture.

  Baseline and after 4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive Myofascial Release Therapy targeting neck and upper back which will release the fascial restrictions by providing sustained pressure. Outcomes such as neck pain, forward head posture, and perceived stress will be measured after the intervention.

Behavioral: Myofascial Release Therapy; Behavioral: Standard Care (Treatment as Usual)

Conventional Physical Therapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive conventional physiotherapy including postural correction exercises, stretching of neck and upper back muscles, and ergonomic education. Outcomes will be measured after the intervention.

Behavioral: Standard Care (Treatment as Usual)

Interventions

Myofascial Release Therapy BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive Myofascial Release Therapy targeting neck and upper back muscles, 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. This is a physical therapy intervention.

Intervention

Standard Care (Treatment as Usual) BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive conventional physiotherapy including postural correction exercises, stretching of neck and upper back muscles, and ergonomic education. Outcomes will be measured after the intervention.

Conventional Physical Therapy; Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• \. university students from age group of 18-30 2. Both genders 3. Students with Text Neck Syndrome diagnosed via Forward head Posture (through measuring craniovertebral angle) \<50° 4. Minimum Pain measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ≥ 3/10 5. Pain Intensity measured through Neck Disability Index (NDI \> 10%) 6. A PSS-10 Score of \>14 in individuals with daily gadget use and FHP. 7. Usage of handheld digital gadgets including smartphones and tablets ≥ 3 hours

You may not qualify if:

• \. History of cervical trauma, surgery or any spine deformity which is congenital 2. History of diagnosed cervical disorders i.e cervical spondylosis, cervical spondylolisthesis, disc herniation 3. Any diagnosed neurological condition which affects cognition or any previous cervical spine surgery 4. Any history of diagnosed anxiety and psychiatric conditions 5. Currently receiving any form of physical therapy or using any muscle relaxants or painkillers

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Health Sciences Lahore: lead

Study Sites (2)

Zara Zahid

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54600, Pakistan

RECRUITING

Dr. Wajeeha Mahmood

Lahore, Pakistan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain

Interventions

Myofascial Release Therapy; Standard of Care; Therapeutics

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Massage; Therapy, Soft Tissue; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Complementary Therapies; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation; Quality Indicators, Health Care; Quality of Health Care; Health Services Administration; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation

Study Officials

• Zara Zahid, Doctor of Physical Therapy

  University of Health Sciences Lahore

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Zara Zahid, Doctor of Physical Therapy

CONTACT

+923334790746; zarazahid656@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: This will be an assessor blinded Randomized Controlled Trial. Outcome assessors measuring neck pain, forward head posture, and perceived stress will be blinded to group assignment. Participants and therapists are not blinded due to the nature of the intervention
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr. Zara Zahid

Model Details: Participants are randomly assigned to either Myofascial Release Therapy group or conventional physiotherapy group, and outcomes will be measured at baseline and after the intervention period.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 24, 2026
• First Posted: March 2, 2026
• Study Start: February 22, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 22, 2026
• Study Completion: April 5, 2026
• Last Updated: March 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (2)