Acute Effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Added to Postural Corrective Exercises in Young Adults With Forward Head Posture

NCT07607405 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: DEU-FTR-IK-0419198012327028
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 45
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study investigated the acute effects of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization added to postural corrective exercises in young adults with forward head posture. Participants were randomly allocated to one of three groups: instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization plus postural corrective exercises, postural corrective exercises only, or control. The primary outcome was craniovertebral angle. Secondary outcomes included cervical joint repositioning error, deep cervical flexor muscle endurance, and scapular muscle endurance. All outcomes were assessed at baseline and 1 hour after the intervention by a blinded outcome assessor.

Conditions

Forward Head Posture

Keywords

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization; Postural corrective exercise; Craniovertebral angle; Cervical proprioception; Muscle endurance; Physiotherapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Craniovertebral Angle

  Craniovertebral angle was assessed using digital photographic postural analysis. Markers were placed on the tragus of the ear and the spinous process of C7, and the angle was calculated from a lateral-view photograph. Higher values indicate a more upright head posture.

  Baseline and 1 hour after the intervention

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Cervical Joint Repositioning Error

  Baseline and 1 hour after the intervention

• Deep Cervical Flexor Muscle Endurance

  Baseline and 1 hour after the intervention

• Scapular Muscle Endurance

  Baseline and 1 hour after the intervention

Study Arms (3)

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Plus Exercise Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group received a single-session postural corrective exercise program and postural education in addition to instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization applied to the cervicothoracic region.

Other: Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Plus Postural Corrective Exercises

Exercise Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group received a single-session postural corrective exercise program and postural education.

Other: Postural Corrective Exercises

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this group received no intervention and were assessed at the same time intervals as the intervention groups.

Interventions

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Plus Postural Corrective Exercises OTHER

Participants received a single-session postural corrective exercise program and postural education in addition to instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization. The exercise program included deep cervical flexor activation using the chin tuck exercise, active cervical range-of-motion exercises, scapular exercises, and pectoral stretching. Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization was applied bilaterally to the cervicothoracic region, including the upper and middle trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, levator scapulae, scalene, suboccipital, and cervical erector spinae muscles. The mobilization was applied for approximately 10 minutes using appropriate instruments.

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Plus Exercise Group

Postural Corrective Exercises OTHER

Participants received a single-session postural corrective exercise program and postural education. The exercise program included deep cervical flexor activation using the chin tuck exercise, active cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation exercises, scapular exercises, and pectoral stretching.

Exercise Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Individuals aged 18-25 years
• Presence of forward head posture
• Provision of written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• History of any disease or surgical procedure affecting cervical or thoracic posture
• Any health condition preventing completion of the assessments

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Dokuz Eylul University: lead
• The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

Izmir, 35340, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Officials

• Nihal Gelecek, Professor

  Dokuz Eylul University

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessments were conducted by an assessor who was blinded to group allocation. Due to the nature of the interventions, participants and the treating therapist could not be blinded.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 19, 2026
• First Posted: May 26, 2026
• Study Start: May 22, 2024
• Primary Completion: May 22, 2025
• Study Completion: June 18, 2025
• Last Updated: May 26, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)