Comparing Between Mulligan Technique and Active Release Technique in Treatment of Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain

NCT07679438 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: P.T.REC/012/006219
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study will be conducted to compare between Mulligan mobilization technique and Active release technique in management of non-specific chronic neck pain as regard to neck pain, cervical range of motion and neck function.

Conditions

Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain

Keywords

Mulligan; Active release technique; neck pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Cervical range of motion

  Cervical ROM will be assessed using CROM device.

  4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Neck function

  4 weeks

• Pain intensity

  4 weeks

Study Arms (3)

conventional treatment

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

This group will receive only the conventional treatment 3 sessions per week for four weeks

Other: Conventional treatment

Mulligan mobilization technique

EXPERIMENTAL

twelve participants will receive mulligan mobilization for cervical spine: Participant will sit comfortably supported in a chair with a neutral head and cervical spine position

Other: mulligan mobilization

active release technique

EXPERIMENTAL

twelve participants will receive active release technique for cervical spine The patient will sit on a stool with hands supported on the thighs, the therapist will apply deep pressure on both sides of levator scapulae and upper trapezius muscles (over the area of tenderness) and the patient will be instructed to actively move the muscle from a shortened to lengthened position and thereby breaking adhesions.1 set of 3-5 repetitions in one session

Other: active release technique

Interventions

Conventional treatment OTHER

twelve participants will receive only the conventional physical therapy program prescribed for chronic non-specific neck pain in the form of: 1.Source of superficial heat using hot packs for 15 minutes. 2.Postural correction exercises. 3.Isometric strengthening exercises for neck muscles in all directions (Flexion, extension, side bending and rotation). 4.Stretching for common tight muscles (Trapezius, levator scapulae and sternocleidomastoid muscles). 5.Chin tuck exercises. 6.Scapular stabilization exercises

conventional treatment

mulligan mobilization OTHER

Participant will sit comfortably supported in a chair with a neutral head and cervical spine position. Practitioner, A gentle, painless posterior-to-anterior (PA) glide will be applied to the facets (bony projections) on the spinous process or the articular pillar/cervical lamina. This glide will be maintained throughout the movement. Participant Action: While the glide will be held, the participant actively will move their neck in the direction that previously caused pain. If pain-free, the participant can gently push further into the movement restriction

Mulligan mobilization technique

active release technique OTHER

The patient will sit on a stool with hands supported on the thighs, the therapist will apply deep pressure on both sides of levator scapulae and upper trapezius muscles (over the area of tenderness) and the patient will be instructed to actively move the muscle from a shortened to lengthened position and thereby breaking adhesions.1 set of 3-5 repetitions in one session

active release technique

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• The participants will be included in this study if they meet the following criteria:
• Have referred from orthopedic surgeon diagnosed with NSCNP that has been localized to the cervical and periscapular areas for at least three months
• Aged from 18-40 years
• Having a score more than 10 on the Neck disability index (NDI)
• BMI from 18.5 to 29.9 kg/m2.

You may not qualify if:

• The Participants will be excluded from this study if they meet any of the following criteria
• History of previous neck surgery.
• Recent or old fractures.
• Cognitive impairment and inability to understand the scale.
• Systematic inflammatory disease e.g., rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, neck pain with radiculopathy or neuropathy.
• A score of below 10 or above 40 points out of 50 on the NDI.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Central Study Contacts

Abdullah Nagy fathy abdelrahman, assistant lecturer

CONTACT

0201028645667; abdullahnagy999@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Lecturer

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 25, 2026
• First Posted: July 1, 2026
• Study Start: July 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: August 1, 2026
• Study Completion: August 1, 2026
• Last Updated: July 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share