Acute Effects of Electrotherapy Modalities on Muscle Mechanical Properties in Individuals With Altered Head-Neck Posture
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 尚未招募
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 75
- 主要终点
- Change in Dynamic Stiffness (N/m)
研究概览
简要总结
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.
详细描述
Forward head posture (FHP) is a common postural deviation associated with increased mechanical loading of the cervical spine and altered muscle length-tension relationships. While electrotherapy modalities are widely used clinically to manage neck pain, their acute effects on the biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of cervical muscles remain insufficiently characterized. This study will evaluate the acute effects of therapeutic ultrasound, interferential current, and TENS on the dynamic stiffness, oscillation frequency, elasticity, and pain of the upper trapezius, splenius capitis, sternocleidomastoid, and cervical erector spinae muscles, measured using myotonometry (MyotonPRO) immediately before (T0) and after (T1) a single treatment session.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 30 Years（Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Aged 18-30 years
- •Craniovertebral angle (CVA) < 55°
- •Male and female
- •Voluntary participation
排除标准
- •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
研究组 & 干预措施
Ultrasound Group
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.
干预措施: Therapeutic Ultrasound (Chattanooga Intelect® Vet) (Device)
Interferential Current Group
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.
干预措施: Interferential Current (Chattanooga Intelect® Vet) (Device)
TENS Group
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.
干预措施: Conventional TENS (Device)
结局指标
主要结局
Change in Dynamic Stiffness (N/m)
时间窗: Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)
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.
Change in Oscillation Frequency (Hz)
时间窗: Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)
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.
Change in Craniovertebral Angle (degrees)
时间窗: Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)
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.
次要结局
- 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))
研究者
Fatma Dilge ASIK BOZDEMIR
PT, Lecturer, PhD (c)
Medipol University