Comparative Effect of Active Release Technique and Myofascial Release in Cervical Myofascial Syndrome

NCT07571655 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Iqra Iftikhar
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 44
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to find the comparative effect of Active Release Technique and Myofascial release, each combined with eye exercises, on asthenopia, sleep quality, stress, pain and functional disability in patients with CMPS. A total of 44 participants will be randomized into two groups, ART + eye exercises and MFR+ eye exercises with interventions provided 3 days per week for 4 weeks. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 2 weeks and then after 4 weeks.

Conditions

Cervical Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Keywords

Cervical Myofascial Pain Syndrome; Active Release Technique; Myofascial Release; Asthenopia; Sleep, Stress; functional Disability and Pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• : Neck Disability Index (NDI)

  The Neck impairment Index (NDI) is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure the self-rated impairment of patients with neck pain and to establish how neck pain impacts a patient's everyday life. A vertical scale from 0 to 5 is used to rate the questions; After scoring, 0-4 points (0-8%) indicate no disability, 5-14 points (10-28%) indicate mild disability, 15-24 points (30-48%) indicate moderate disability, 25-34 points (50-64%) indicate severe disability, and 35-50 points (70-100%) indicate complete disability

  Baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks (one-month follow-up)

• Numeric Pain Rating Scale NPRS

  The numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) is a tool used to assess pain intensity, where patients rate their pain on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 representing no pain and 10 representing the worst possible pain.

  Baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks (one-month follow-up)

• Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

  The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a standardized questionnaire used to assess sleep quality and disturbances over a one-month period. It consists of 19 self-rated questions grouped into seven components: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction. a global score ranging from 0 to 21. A global PSQI score greater than 5 indicates poor sleep quality, while a score of 5 or below reflects good sleep quality.

  Baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks (one-month follow-up)

• ASQ-17 (Asthenopia Survey Questionnaire)

  The ASQ-17 (Asthenopia Survey Questionnaire) is a self-administered questionnaire that measures asthenopia (or eye strain) and associated symptoms. The ASQ-17 covers 7 items of eye strain symptoms, 6 items of visual symptoms and 4 items of systemic and psychological symptoms with a maximum total score of 51 and an optimal cut-off threshold value of 12.5, indicating the presence of asthenopia.

  Baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks (one-month follow-up)

• Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)

  The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is a widely used psychological instrument designed to measure the degree to which individuals perceive their lives as stressful. The scale typically includes 10 items (PSS-10), yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 40. Scoring involves reversing the scores for positively worded items (items 4, 5, 7, and 8), then summing all item scores. Interpretation of scores is generally categorized as follows: 0-13 indicates low stress, 14-26 suggests moderate stress, and 27-40 reflects high perceived stress. Higher scores indicate greater levels of perceived stress.

  Baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks (one-month follow-up)

Study Arms (2)

Active Release Technique + Eye exercises

OTHER

Active Release Technique + Eye exercises

Other: Active Release Technique + Eye exercises

Myofascial Release + Eye exercises

OTHER

Other: Myofascial Release + Eye exercises

Interventions

Myofascial Release + Eye exercises OTHER

* MFR applied with forearm/ulnar border of palm, gliding towards neck base/upper scapula, Sustained gentle pressure is maintained, held until a release (softening/yield) of fascial tissue is felt; the pressure is gradually increased as tolerance allows. * 3-4 glides × 90 seconds each, according to tolerance. * Frequency: 3 days/week for 4 weeks. * Followed by the same Eye Exercises as in experimental group

Myofascial Release + Eye exercises

Active Release Technique + Eye exercises OTHER

ART applied to cervical region (upper trapezius, Levator scapula and SCM) deep tension stretch with thumb over the tender areas , repeated 3-5 times. Frequency: 3 days/week for 4 weeks Followed by Eye exercises (3 days/week for 4 weeks) * Trataka (focusing on one point) = 30s/ 3 times * Eye ball movements = 10 reps/ 2sets i. Sideways ii. Up and down iii. Two ways diagonal movement iv. Clockwise and anticlockwise rotational movements * Eye blinking and opening = 10 reps/ 2sets * Palming = 30s/1 time

Active Release Technique + Eye exercises

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Both genders
• Age between 18 and 40 years
• Neck pain since last month with NPRS \>3
• Cervical Myofascial pain (Presence of one or more trigger point in neck/ shoulder muscles particularly (upper trapezius, SCM and levator)
• PSQI score \> 5
• Subjects with ASQ-17 score \> 13

You may not qualify if:

• Subjects with a history of cervical trauma or surgery
• Subjects with a history of substance abuse
• Subjects with use of sleep medications
• Subjects with psychological disturbance (stress, depression or anxiety)
• Visual impairment or ophthalmologic disease other than asthenopia

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Railway General Hospital, Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, 46600, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Asthenopia; Pain

Interventions

Myofascial Release Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Eye Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Massage; Therapy, Soft Tissue; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation

Study Officials

• KINZA ANWAR, MS-OMPT

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

KINZA ANWAR, MS-OMPT

CONTACT

+92-3239735427; kinza.anwar@riphah.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 30, 2026
• First Posted: May 6, 2026
• Study Start: May 5, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 5, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 5, 2027
• Last Updated: May 6, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)