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Clinical Trials/NCT06996002
NCT06996002Not yet recruitingNot Applicable

Effects of Rhomboids Strength Training Regime on Pain, Craniovertebral Angle and Disability Among Patients With Upper Crossed Syndrome

Riphah International University1 site in 1 country38 target enrollmentStarted: July 1, 2025Last updated:
Conditions
Interventions

Trial Snapshot

Phase
Not Applicable
Status
Not yet recruiting
Enrollment
38
Locations
1
Primary Endpoint
Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

Study Overview

Brief Summary

Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS) is characterized by weakening of the neck flexors and rhomboids and stiffness in the pectoralis major, upper trapezius, and levator scapulae. Rhomboids major and minor need to be strengthened in order to enhance scapular stability and regain proper posture. The aim of this study is to determine effect of rhomboids strength training regime on pain, craniovertebral angle and disability among patients with upper crossed syndrome.

Detailed Description

This study will be a randomized controlled trial and will be conducted in Haleema Surgical Hospital, Shorkot city. Non-probability convenient sampling will be used to collect the data. Sample size of 38 subjects with age group between 20-45 years will be taken. Data will be collected from the patients having present complaint of upper crossed syndrome pain. Outcome measures will be taken using Numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) for pain, craniovertebral angle, and neck disability index questionnaire for disability. An informed consent will be taken. Subjects will be selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria and will be equally divided into two groups by computer-generated stratified randomization. The study will be a single-blind assessor. Both the Groups will receive Hot Pack, TENS, posture training and stretching exercises while group A will receive rhomboids strengthening exercises additionally. Outcome measures will be measured at baseline and after 4 weeks. Data analysis will be done by SPSS version 25.

Study Design

Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Single (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility Criteria

Ages
20 Years to 45 Years (Adult)
Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • •Age group between 20 and 45 years
  • •Both gender male and female
  • •Subject with head neck angle less than 50 degrees(for forward head posture).
  • •Subject with positive JANDAS upper crossed syndrome tests .
  • •Population with occupation tailor, computer users and students.

Exclusion Criteria

  • •• Exclusion criteria Patients were excluded if they were diagnosed with the following conditions for ˃6 months
  • •Tuberculosis, carcinoma, heart disease, and osteoporosis
  • •Neural disorders due to prolapsed intervertebral disc
  • •Any trauma or localized infection in upper back region

Arms & Interventions

Rhomboids strengthening exercises along with conventional Exercises

Experimental

Rhomboids strengthening exercises:

  1. Seated Bent Row
  2. Bent Over Row
  3. Lat Pull Down
  4. Shoulder Horizontal Abduction
  5. Band pull apart
  6. Prone lateral raise

hot pack for 10 min. Trans-cutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS). Stretching chest muscles, pectoralis muscles, levator scapulae muscle, cervical extensor muscles, upper trapezius Posture correction exercises

Intervention: Rhomboids Strengthening Exercise (Other)

Rhomboids strengthening exercises along with conventional Exercises

Experimental

Rhomboids strengthening exercises:

  1. Seated Bent Row
  2. Bent Over Row
  3. Lat Pull Down
  4. Shoulder Horizontal Abduction
  5. Band pull apart
  6. Prone lateral raise

hot pack for 10 min. Trans-cutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS). Stretching chest muscles, pectoralis muscles, levator scapulae muscle, cervical extensor muscles, upper trapezius Posture correction exercises

Intervention: Conventional Exercises (Other)

Conventional Exercises

Active Comparator
  • Both groups will receive hot pack for 10 min.
  • Trans-cutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS). Stretching chest muscles, pectoralis muscles, levator scapulae muscle, cervical extensor muscles, upper trapezius
  • Posture correction exercises

Intervention: Conventional Exercises (Other)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

Time Frame: upto 4 weeks

Patient level of pain will be assessed using this scale. This scale ranges from 0 to 10. 0 indicates "no pain" 1-3 indicate "Mild pain" 4-6 indicate "Moderate pain" 7-10 indicate "worst pain". NPRS have shown high test-retest reliability (r = 0.96 and 0.95, respectively)

Neck Disability Index (NDI_

Time Frame: upto 4 weeks

The NDI is a 10-item, 50-point index that evaluates many facets of day-to-day functioning in individuals with neck pain. The NDI evaluates two items pertaining to discretionary daily living activities (personal care, reading), four items pertaining to activities of daily living (lifting, work, driving, and recreation), and four items related subjective symptoms (pain intensity, headache, concentration, and sleeping). The scores are interpreted as follows: 0-4: No disability 5-14: Mild disability 15-24: Moderate disability 25-34: Severe disability 35-50: Complete disability. For the NDI, test-retest reliability was good

Craniovertebral Angle

Time Frame: upto 4 weeks

Anatomically speaking, the degree of forward head posture is measured using the craniovertebral angle (CVA), which is a measurement of the head and neck posture. It is the angle created by a horizontal line running from the C7 vertebra and the line joining the tragus of the ear to the vertebra (the seventh cervical vertebra). In order to calculate the craniovertebral angle: 1. Indicate the C7 vertebra and the tragus of the ear. 2. Draw an imaginary line that connects the C7 vertebra to the tragus. 3. Sketch a line that extends horizontally from the vertebra C7. 4. Calculate the angle that these two lines form. More than 50 degrees is the normal CVA. Head tilt slightly forward, between 40 and 50 degrees. A somewhat forward head posture, between 30 and 40 degrees. Head Posture Severe Forward when it is less than 30 degrees. CVA is a trustworthy measure of head and neck posture

Secondary Outcomes

No secondary outcomes reported

Investigators

Sponsor Class
Other
Responsible Party
Sponsor

Study Sites (1)

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