Effects of Electrotherapy on Muscle Properties in Forward Head Posture

NCT07758530 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: E-10840098-50.04-3320
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 75
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial investigates the acute effects of three electrotherapy modalities (therapeutic ultrasound, interferential current, and TENS) on the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of neck muscles in young adults with forward head posture. Seventy-five participants will be randomly allocated to one of three groups. Muscle stiffness, oscillation frequency, and craniovertebral angle will be assessed before and immediately after a single treatment session.

Conditions

Forward Head Posture

Keywords

Forward head posture; Craniovertebral angle; Electrotherapy; Therapeutic ultrasound; Interferential current; TENS; myotonometry; muscle stiffness; cervical muscles

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Dynamic Stiffness (N/m)

  Dynamic stiffness reflects the resistance of the muscle to an external deforming force. It will be measured using MyotonPRO on the upper trapezius, splenius capitis, sternocleidomastoid, and cervical erector spinae muscles. The normative reference range for stiffness (S) is 220-380 N/m.

  Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)

• Change in Oscillation Frequency (Hz)

  Oscillation frequency reflects the resting muscle tone. It will be measured using MyotonPRO on the same muscle groups. The normative reference range for oscillation frequency (F) is 12.0-18.0 Hz.

  Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)

• Change in Craniovertebral Angle (degrees)

  The craniovertebral angle (CVA) is the angle between a horizontal line passing through the tragus of the ear and a line connecting the tragus to the spinous process of C7, and it is used to assess forward head posture. It will be measured from photographs using the Kinovea 2D motion analysis software. According to Salahzadeh et al. (2014), the mean CVA value in individuals without forward head posture is 55 degrees.

  Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Muscle Elasticity (Logarithmic Decrement)

  Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)

• Change in Mechanical Stress Relaxation Time

  Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)

• Change in Creep (Deformation/Relaxation Ratio)

  Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)

• Change in Pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, 0-10)

  Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)

Study Arms (3)

Ultrasound Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Pulsed therapeutic ultrasound applied to the cervical region at 1-3 MHz frequency and 0.1-3 W/cm² intensity for 8-10 minutes in prone position, using circular head movements.

Device: Therapeutic Ultrasound (Chattanooga Intelect® Vet)

Interferential Current Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Bipolar interferential current applied via two electrodes covering the target muscles, \~2500 Hz carrier frequency, 100 Hz amplitude modulation frequency, for 15 minutes, at an intensity producing a clear but painless paresthesia sensation, in prone position.

Device: Interferential Current (Chattanooga Intelect® Vet)

TENS Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Conventional TENS applied via surface electrodes covering the target muscles, 60-120 Hz frequency, 50-100 µsec pulse duration, for 15 minutes, at an intensity producing a clear but painless paresthesia sensation, in prone position.

Device: Conventional TENS

Interventions

Therapeutic Ultrasound (Chattanooga Intelect® Vet) DEVICE

Pulsed therapeutic ultrasound applied to the cervical region at 1-3 MHz frequency and 0.1-3 W/cm² intensity for 8-10 minutes in prone position, using circular head movements.

Ultrasound Group

Interferential Current (Chattanooga Intelect® Vet) DEVICE

Bipolar interferential current applied via two electrodes covering the target muscles, \~2500 Hz carrier frequency, 100 Hz amplitude modulation frequency, for 15 minutes, at an intensity producing a clear but painless paresthesia sensation, in prone position.

Interferential Current Group

Conventional TENS DEVICE

Conventional TENS applied via surface electrodes covering the target muscles, 60-120 Hz frequency, 50-100 µsec pulse duration, for 15 minutes, at an intensity producing a clear but painless paresthesia sensation, in prone position.

TENS Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Aged 18-30 years
• Craniovertebral angle (CVA) \< 55°
• Male and female
• Voluntary participation

You may not qualify if:

• Cervical instability
• Diagnosed inflammatory joint disease
• History of accident, trauma, or surgery
• Cervical pain treatment within the last 6 months
• Presence of cervical implant
• Skin irritation at measurement/electrode sites
• Diagnosed epilepsy
• Presence of cardiac/brain pacemaker
• Unwillingness to participate

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medipol University: lead

Related Publications (22)

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MeSH Terms

Interventions

Ultrasonic Therapy

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Diathermy; Hyperthermia, Induced; Therapeutics

Study Officials

• Fatma Dilge AŞIK BOZDEMİR

  Medipol University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Hande TUNÇ

  Medipol University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Ayşe Nur TUNALI

  Medipol University

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Fatma Dilge AŞIK BOZDEMİR

CONTACT

+90 506 371 44 44; dilge.asik@medipol.edu.tr

Hande TUNÇ

CONTACT

+90 507 822 60 15; hande.tunc@medipol.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PT, Lecturer, PhD (c)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 4, 2026
• First Posted: August 11, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2027
• Last Updated: August 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08