Effects of Progressive Neck Motor Control Exercises With and Without Conventional Therapy in Text Neck Syndrome.(PNMCE-TNS)

NCT07892131 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: RE-168-2026
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 44
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to compare the effects of Progressive Neck Motor Control Exercises (PNMCE) with and without conventional physiotherapy in patients with Text Neck Syndrome. It will evaluate the effectiveness of both treatment approaches in reducing neck pain, improving cervical range of motion, correcting posture, and enhancing functional ability. The study will determine which treatment approach provides better clinical outcomes.

Conditions

Text Neck Syndrome

Keywords

Progressive Neck Motor Control Exercises; Craniovertebral Angle; Neck Disability Index; Forward Head Posture; Cervical Range of Motion

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• NUMERICAL PAIN RATING SCALE

  11-point numeric with 0 representing No pain, 1-3 representing Mild Pain (nagging, annoying, interfering little with ADLs), 4-6 representing Moderate Pains (interferes significantly with ADLs), 7-10 representing Sever Pain

  Baseline and post treatment after six weeks

• UNIVERSAL GONIOMETER

  Cervical range of motion (ROM) will be assessed using a universal goniometer in sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes. Measurements will be taken in sitting with the thoracic spine stabilized, except rotation (supine), using anatomical landmarks (tragus, occiput, acromion, and C7). Three trials per direction will be averaged with 30-second rest intervals

  Baseline and post treatment after six weeks

• CRANIOVERTEBRAL ANGLE (CVA) - PHOTOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS

  Head and neck posture will be assessed using standardised photographic methods consistent with those described in the reference study.(1) The tragus, pogonion, eye corner, and acromion process are anatomical features that will be delineated at C7. A digital camera will be placed three meters away from the subject at shoulder height, and image analysis software will be used to determine the CVA.

  Baseline and post treatment after six weeks

• NECK DISABILITY INDEX (NDI)

  0-8% indicates no disability, 10-28% indicates mild disability, 30-48% indicates moderate impairment, 50-64% indicates severe disability, and ≥65% indicates complete disability. The total scores range from 0 to 50 and are converted to percentages.

  Baseline and post treatment after six weeks

• ANEROID SPHYGMOMANOMETER

  To simplify and track craniocervical flexion exercises for deep cervical flexor muscle training, a modified aneroid sphygmomanometer is employed as a pressure biofeedback tool. The sphygmomanometer\'s inflatable bladder was placed under the cervical lordosis and inflated to a baseline pressure of 20 mmHg. There is evidence that the Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT) has excellent reliability and acceptable validity when using a modified aneroid sphygmomanometer.

  Baseline and post treatment after six weeks

Study Arms (2)

Progressive Neck Motor Control Exercises and Conventional Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive conventional physiotherapy, including hot pack and TENS application (15 minutes), cervical joint mobilization (Maitland Grades I-III, 3 sets of 30 seconds per segment), and soft tissue mobilization/myofascial release of the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and sternocleidomastoid (10 minutes). Postural correction and ergonomic education will be provided, followed by the full PNMCE program.

Other: Progressive Neck Motor Control Exercises and Conventional Therapy

Progressive Neck Motor Control Exercises

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive patient education on disease management, diet, activity modification, and posture, followed by a 6-week Progressive Neck Muscle Control Exercise (PNMCE) program. Weeks 1-2: Supine/prone chin tucks, craniocervical flexion (20-22 mmHg), and upper/lower limb exercises; Weeks 3-4: Quadrupedal/standing chin tucks, limb exercises, wall angels, and craniocervical flexion (24-26 mmHg). Weeks 5-6: Swiss ball exercises, resisted chin tucks, and upper limb strengthening with TheraBand (red to green to blue), progressing to 28-30 mmHg; all exercises performed for 2 sets of 10 repetitions, with resistance increased according to tolerance.

Other: Progressive Neck Motor Control Exercises

Interventions

Progressive Neck Motor Control Exercises OTHER

Participants will receive patient education on disease management, diet, activity modification, and posture, followed by a 6-week Progressive Neck Muscle Control Exercise (PNMCE) program. Weeks 1-2: Supine/prone chin tucks, craniocervical flexion (20-22 mmHg), and upper/lower limb exercises; Weeks 3-4: Quadrupedal/standing chin tucks, limb exercises, wall angels, and craniocervical flexion (24-26 mmHg). Weeks 5-6: Swiss ball exercises, resisted chin tucks, and upper limb strengthening with TheraBand (red to green to blue), progressing to 28-30 mmHg; all exercises performed for 2 sets of 10 repetitions, with resistance increased according to tolerance.

Progressive Neck Motor Control Exercises

Progressive Neck Motor Control Exercises and Conventional Therapy OTHER

Participants will receive conventional physiotherapy, including hot pack and TENS application (15 minutes), cervical joint mobilization (Maitland Grades I-III, 3 sets of 30 seconds per segment), and soft tissue mobilization/myofascial release of the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and sternocleidomastoid (10 minutes). Postural correction and ergonomic education will be provided, followed by the full PNMCE program.

Progressive Neck Motor Control Exercises and Conventional Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Individuals aged 18-40 years of both gender
• Text Neck Syndrome confirmed by: daily smartphone/tablet use ≥ 4 hours
• AND neck pain onset linked to device use for a minimum of 3 months.
• Forward Head Posture confirmed by craniovertebral angle (CVA) \<50° on standardised photographic assessment.
• Neck pain intensity ≥ 4 on the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS).

You may not qualify if:

• Cognitive impairment limiting ability to follow instructions.
• Use of cervical orthosis or splint devices.
• Diagnosed systematic joint or muscle disease (e.g., fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis).
• Serious systemic diseases or neurological disorders (e.g., cervical radiculopathy, myelopathy,trigeminal neuralgia).
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• History of surgery or significant trauma to the cervical region.
• Positive vertebrobasilar artery test.
• Confirmed cervical fracture or congenital cervical deformity.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Management and Technology Lahore: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Management & Technology

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

Location

Related Links

• Related Info

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: Professor

Model Details: This study aims to compare the effects of Progressive Neck Motor Control Exercises (PNMCE) with and without conventional physiotherapy in patients with Text Neck Syndrome. It will evaluate the effectiveness of both treatment approaches in reducing neck pain, improving cervical range of motion, correcting posture, and enhancing functional ability. The study will determine which treatment approach provides better clinical outcomes.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 17, 2026
• First Posted: October 23, 2026
• Study Start: October 20, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: October 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF
• Time Frame: 6 months after the publication of the manuscript.
• Access Criteria: This data can be requested from the corresponding author.

Locations

PA (1)