Muscle Energy Technique Versus Myofascial Release in Chronic Non Specific Neck Pain

NCT07710950 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: UOL/IREB/26/19/01/0037
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 44
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Chronic non-specific neck pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that can significantly affect daily activities, sleep quality, and overall quality of life. It is often associated with muscle tightness, poor posture, and reduced neck mobility without any specific underlying structural pathology such as fracture or nerve compression. This study aims to compare two commonly used physiotherapy treatment techniques: Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain. A total of 52 participants aged 18-45 years with neck pain lasting more than three months will be included in this randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group A: Conventional physiotherapy plus Muscle Energy Technique Group B: Conventional physiotherapy plus Myofascial Release Therapy Both groups will receive treatment twice weekly for four weeks . Conventional physiotherapy will include moist heat application and stretching exercises for neck muscles. In addition, one group will receive Muscle Energy Technique targeting the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles, while the other group will receive Myofascial Release Therapy targeting the same muscle groups. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, at the second week, and at the fourth week. The study will evaluate: Pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale) Neck range of motion (Inclinometer) Sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) Neck-related disability (Neck Disability Index) The results of this study may help determine which technique is more effective in reducing pain, improving movement, enhancing sleep quality, and reducing disability in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain. This may support clinicians in selecting the most appropriate treatment approach.

Conditions

Chronic Neck Pain; Mechanical Neck Pain

Keywords

muscle energy technique; non specific neck pain; mechanical neck pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Numeric Pain Rating Scale

  Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), an 11-point self-reported scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).

  Baseline, Week 2, and Week 4

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Cervical Range of Motion

  Baseline, Week 2, and Week 4

• Neck Disability Index

  Baseline, Week 2, and Week 4

Study Arms (2)

Conventional Physiotherapy + Muscle Energy Technique

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive conventional physiotherapy consisting of moist heat pack application for 10 minutes followed by static stretching exercises for the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles. In addition, Muscle Energy Technique (MET) will be applied targeting the same muscles using post-isometric relaxation principles with 20% isometric contraction held for 7-10 seconds followed by stretch. Treatment sessions will be conducted twice weekly for four weeks.

Procedure: Muscle Energy Technique

Conventional Physiotherapy + Myofascial Release

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive conventional physiotherapy including moist heat pack application and static stretching exercises for the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles. In addition, Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) will be administered using sustained manual pressure techniques (90-120 seconds) to reduce myofascial restrictions. Treatment sessions will be conducted twice weekly for four weeks.

Procedure: Myofascial Release Therapy

Interventions

Muscle Energy Technique PROCEDURE

Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is a manual therapy procedure based on post-isometric relaxation principles. In this study, MET will be applied to the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles. Participants will perform a gentle isometric contraction (approximately 20% effort) against therapist resistance for 7-10 seconds, followed by relaxation and passive stretch. The technique will be performed in 3 sets with 5 repetitions per muscle. Each session will last approximately 20 minutes and will be administered twice weekly for four weeks, in addition to conventional physiotherapy.

Conventional Physiotherapy + Muscle Energy Technique

Myofascial Release Therapy PROCEDURE

Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) is a hands-on manual therapy technique aimed at reducing fascial restrictions and muscle tightness. In this study, sustained manual pressure (90-120 seconds) will be applied to the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles to achieve tissue release. Slow, controlled stretching will be performed without forceful movements. Each session will last approximately 15 minutes and will be administered twice weekly for four weeks, in addition to conventional physiotherapy.

Conventional Physiotherapy + Myofascial Release

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Both gender
• Participant with neck pain from the past 3 months.
• Participant with neck pain ≥7 on Visual analogue scale.
• Participant with unilateral tightness of upper trapezius, scalene and levator scapulae on manual palpation.
• Diagnosis consistent with Non-Specific Neck Pain (NSNP): mechanical pain aggravated by posture or movement, no neurological signs, no red flags, and pain localized to the neck with referral not extending below the shoulder.
• Positive Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT) indicating deep cervical flexor dysfunction.

You may not qualify if:

• Participant who received any therapeutic intervention for neck pain.
• Participate with any inflammatory, neurological or malignant condition like rheumatoid arthritis, cervical radiculopathy or tumor of the neck respectively.
• Participant with associated neck pain with facial pain or headache as a result of any fracture or major trauma to the cervical spine.
• Participant with the history of surgery of cervical spine in the last 12 months.
• Participant with disc prolapse or stenosis.
• Participant with any deformity such as torticollis, sprengel's deformity or scoliosis.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Lahore: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Myofascial Release Therapy

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Design

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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 14, 2026
• First Posted: July 17, 2026
• Study Start: August 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2025
• Study Completion: February 15, 2026
• Last Updated: July 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

PA (1)