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Comparative Effect of Scapular Stabilization vs Thoracic Extension Exercises in Young Adults With Text Neck Syndrome.

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Forward Head Posture
Neck Syndrome
Interventions
Other: Scapular stabilization exercises
Other: Thoracic extension exercises
Registration Number
NCT06108752
Lead Sponsor
Riphah International University
Brief Summary

The aim of the study is to compare the effect of scapular stabilization versus thoracic extension exercises on pain, disability, range of motion, and cranio-vertebral angle in young adults with Text Neck Syndrome.

Detailed Description

Text neck has emerged as a widespread modern epidemic that affects people of all ages, particularly younger populations, as they are exposed to handheld mobile device use for several hours a day beginning at a very early age. The relation between the posture due to handheld mobile device use and neck pain is still debatable. To manage the maladaptive posture of the cervical spine, indirect treatment instead of direct treatment of the neck can be used, which is the basis for the concept of regional interdependence, i.e., the cause of pain becomes the cause of damage to other body parts. Therefore, not treating the damaged part, but indirectly treating the area of cause can alleviate the symptoms. A bio-dynamic relationship between the cervical and thoracic spine is associated with exercise, an important factor causing neck pain. Therefore, many clinicians pay attention to the thoracic spine of patients with neck pain and recommend thoracic extension exercises. On the other hand, many researchers recommended scapular stabilization exercise as a recovery treatment for imbalanced scapular muscles caused by forward head posture.

This study investigates how exercise programs not directly applied to the cervical spine affect people with text neck syndrome. The significance of the current study is to evaluate the comparison between concentric and eccentric exercise which is previously rarely investigated.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
36
Inclusion Criteria
  • Both male and female participants with forward head posture or text neck syndrome
  • Participants with neck pain from the past three months
  • Smart-phones must be used for at least ≥3 hours each day
  • Participants with craniovertebral angle <53° will be included in this study
Exclusion Criteria
  • History of cervical and thoracic spine surgery within the past three months
  • Serious pathological conditions within the past three months
  • Congenital spinal anomalies, or rheumatoid arthritis
  • Neurological signs and severe psychological disorders

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Scapular Stabilization ExercisesScapular stabilization exercisesScapular stabilization exercises along with the hot pack and cervical active range of motion exercises
Thoracic Extension ExercisesThoracic extension exercisesThoracic extension exercises along with the hot pack and cervical active range of motion exercises
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Neck disability index (NDI)6 weeks

Changes from baseline. NDI is a valid and reliable tool having values ranging from 0.50 to 0.98.

The NDI assessment involves a 10-item, 50-point index questionnaire that assesses the effects of neck pain and symptoms during a range of functional activities.

Photogrammetry for craniovertebral angle (image j software)6 weeks

Changes from baseline. 'Image J', is an analysis software with high reliability and validity.

This study will assess the craniovertebral angle using a digital camera. The camera will be placed 1.5 m from the participant's right side to take a lateral photographic view of the participant's head and neck in a seated position. The craniovertebral angle is the angle between the horizontal line passing the 7th Cervical vertebra (C7) and the line extending from C7 to the tragus of the ear. The resulting maladaptive posture of the neck will be determined using Image J software.

Visual analogue scale (VAS)6 weeks

Changes from baseline. The visual analogue scale (VAS) is a simple and frequently used method for the assessment of variations in intensity of pain. The reliability of the VAS for disability is moderate to good i.e. 0.98. However, its validity is questionable.

Goniometer for cervical range of motion6 weeks

Changes from baseline. Goniometer has fair inter-tester reliability ranging from 0.79-0.92. Validity of this tool is good i.e. 0.97-0.98 This tool is most commonly used in the clinical settings for evaluating joint range of motion.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Punjab Employees Social Security Institute

🇵🇰

Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

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