Effect of Adding Thoracolumbar Fascia Release by IASTM to Conventional Treatment on Craniovertebral Angle in Forward Head Subjects

NCT07605650 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: Faculty of Physical Therapy CU
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The Posture Committee of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery defines good posture as "that state of muscular and skeletal balance that protects the supporting structures of the body against injury or progressive deformity irrespective of the attitude (erect, lying, squatting, and stooping) in which these structures are working or resting." Under those conditions, the muscles will function most efficiently, and the Thoracic and abdominal organs will be in their optimal places.

Conditions

Forward Head Posture

Keywords

FHP

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Craniovertebral angle(CVA)

  Craniovertebral angle (CVA) is a line drawn from the tragus of the ear to the C7 vertebra intersects a horizontal line. It is used to measure the value of FHP, and the greater the value of this angle, the more forward the head is positioned on the neck. A vast variety of names exist for this angle, such as sagittal C7-tragus angle, sagittal plane head alignment, neck inclination angle, Cervical angle, head protrusion angle, head position, FHP, forward head position, and head anteriorization in relation to Cervical vertebra

  measurement at Day 1 then after 1 month

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• cervical range of motion

  measurement at Day 1 then after 1 month

• cervical proprioception

  measurement at Day 1 then after 1 month

• Cohen perceived stress scale

  measurement at Day 1 then after 1 month

Study Arms (2)

control group

OTHER

Control group (conventional treatment protocol): The control group will receive firstly, Kendall exercises; every strengthening exercise will be repeated for 12 repetitions and done for 3 sets and each stretching exercise will be held for 30 seconds and repeated 3 times. Then, participants will receive IASTM application on cervical muscles as follows: IASTM for upper fibers of trapezius, levator scapulae muscles and scalnae.

Device: Instrument assisted soft tissue moblization

experimental group

EXPERIMENTAL

participants will receive same protocol as control group (IASTM on cervical muscles and Kendel exercises) in addition to Thoraco lumber fascia release using IASTM tool

Device: Instrument assisted soft tissue moblization

Interventions

Instrument assisted soft tissue moblization DEVICE

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a special instrument with beveled edges to assist the clinician in the evaluation and mobilization of soft tissue. Instruments are used in a multi directional stroking fashion applied to the skin at 30°-60° angles to detect soft tissue irregularities via the undulation of the tools. It has been purported to enhance proliferation of extracellular matrix fibro blasts, improve ion transport, and decrease cell matrix adhesions

Also known as: IASTM

control group; experimental group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Forward head posture subjects with CVA of \< 52
• Subject's age ranged from 18-30 years old, with Body Mass Index (BMI) less than 30Kg/m2.

You may not qualify if:

• Osteoporotic disorder.
• Any history of congenital deformities of the Cervical and Thoracic region.
• Recent injuries or fractures.
• Any inflammatory joint disorder.
• Malignancy.
• Vascular disorders.
• Neurological or psychiatric disorders.
• Any respiratory disease, presence of open wound/s, or history of surgery in the past 6 months.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of physical therapy

Giza, Giza Governorate, 12611, Egypt

RECRUITING

Central Study Contacts

Mariam M Abdallah, Assistant lecturer

CONTACT

+201221337723; mariam.youssef@cu.edu.eg

Aya M Mohamed, Lecturer

CONTACT

+201066925459; aya_mahmoud_mohamed@cu.edu.eg

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: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant lecturer of basic science departement faculty of physical therapy cairo university

Model Details: Randomized clinical trial

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 1, 2026
• First Posted: May 26, 2026
• Study Start: March 4, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 18, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 18, 2027
• Last Updated: May 26, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

EG (1)