Effect of Myofascial Release Therapy on Neck Pain, Perceived Stress and Forward Head Posture in University Students With Text Neck Syndrome.
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Recruiting
- Enrollment
- 62
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Neck Pain
Overview
Brief Summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to determine the effectiveness of myofascial release therapy in university students with text neck syndrome as prolonged smartphone and digital gadgets use has been associated with neck pain, forward head posture, and increased perceived stress among young adults with screen time more than 3 hours. Participants will be randomly allocated into control group and intervention group and will be treated for 4 weeks. Clinical outcomes including neck pain, neck pain intensity, craniovertebral angle for posture assessment, and perceived stress levels will be measured at baseline and post-intervention. The study seeks to determine whether Myofascial Release Therapy acts as a non-invasive technique in improving musculoskeletal and psychosocial parameters related to text neck.
Detailed Description
Text Neck Syndrome is a growing musculoskeletal concern among university students due to prolonged use of smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices in a posture that involves prolonged neck flexion. Sustained cervical flexion postures contribute to mechanical neck pain, reduced craniovertebral angle, muscular tightness, and increased psychological stress. Early intervention is important to prevent chronic dysfunction and long-term disability.
This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial involving university students who meet the inclusion criteria for Text Neck Syndrome. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned into two groups: an experimental group receiving Myofascial Release Therapy and a control group receiving conventional physiotherapy consisting of postural correction strategies and structured stretching exercises.
The intervention will be delivered for 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Outcome measures will be recorded at baseline and after completion of the intervention period. Outcome variables include neck pain assessed using VAS , neck pain intensity measured through the Neck Disability Index, forward head posture quantified using craniovertebral angle measurement through a valid and reliable software; Kinovea Software and perceived stress assessed using PSS-10.
Data will be analyzed to compare within-group and between-group differences to determine the relative effectiveness of Myofascial Release Therapy in improving musculoskeletal alignment, reducing neck pain and addressing stress-related components associated with Text Neck Syndrome.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking Description
This will be an assessor blinded Randomized Controlled Trial. Outcome assessors measuring neck pain, forward head posture, and perceived stress will be blinded to group assignment. Participants and therapists are not blinded due to the nature of the intervention
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 30 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •1\. university students from age group of 18-30
- •Both genders
- •Students with Text Neck Syndrome diagnosed via Forward head Posture (through measuring craniovertebral angle) \<50°
- •Minimum Pain measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ≥ 3/10
- •Pain Intensity measured through Neck Disability Index (NDI \> 10%)
- •A PSS-10 Score of \>14 in individuals with daily gadget use and FHP.
- •Usage of handheld digital gadgets including smartphones and tablets ≥ 3 hours
Exclusion Criteria
- •1\. History of cervical trauma, surgery or any spine deformity which is congenital
- •History of diagnosed cervical disorders i.e cervical spondylosis, cervical spondylolisthesis, disc herniation
- •Any diagnosed neurological condition which affects cognition or any previous cervical spine surgery
- •Any history of diagnosed anxiety and psychiatric conditions
- •Currently receiving any form of physical therapy or using any muscle relaxants or painkillers
Arms & Interventions
Intervention
Participants will receive Myofascial Release Therapy targeting neck and upper back which will release the fascial restrictions by providing sustained pressure. Outcomes such as neck pain, forward head posture, and perceived stress will be measured after the intervention.
Intervention: Myofascial Release Therapy (Behavioral)
Intervention
Participants will receive Myofascial Release Therapy targeting neck and upper back which will release the fascial restrictions by providing sustained pressure. Outcomes such as neck pain, forward head posture, and perceived stress will be measured after the intervention.
Intervention: Standard Care (Treatment as Usual) (Behavioral)
Conventional Physical Therapy
Participants will receive conventional physiotherapy including postural correction exercises, stretching of neck and upper back muscles, and ergonomic education. Outcomes will be measured after the intervention.
Intervention: Standard Care (Treatment as Usual) (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Neck Pain
Time Frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention
Neck pain will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where participants rate their pain intensity on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain)
Perceived Stress
Time Frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention
Perceived stress will be assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), a validated questionnaire measuring the degree to which situations in one's life are appraised as stressful.
Forward Head Posture
Time Frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Forward Head Posture will be measured using the craniovertebral angle (CVA) from lateral photographs using Kinovea Software. A smaller angle indicates a more pronounced forward head posture.
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported
Investigators
Zara Zahid
Dr. Zara Zahid
University of Health Sciences Lahore