Clinical Research Directory

The Association Between Smartphone Overuse and Mechanical Neck Pain Among Galala University Students

This study explores the relationship between smartphone overuse and mechanical neck pain among university students offers key value for health promotion in academic settings by developing targeted strategies and preventive measures to reduce neck pain. It equips healthcare professionals and educators with evidence-based recommendations.

Effects of Mobilization With and Without Suboccipital Muscle Release on Pain, Range of Motion, and Disability in Mechanical Neck Pain

SNAGs (Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides): SNAGs will be performed by applying a sustained passive glide to the cervical vertebra while the patient actively performs the restricted neck movement. This technique will aim to reduce neck pain and improve cervical range of motion. Suboccipital Muscle Release: Suboccipital muscle release will be performed by applying gentle, sustained pressure to the suboccipital muscles at the base of the skull in supine lying to reduce muscle tension, relieve pain, and improve cervical mobility. Neck Isometric Exercises: Neck isometric exercises will be performed by applying gentle resistance against head movements in flexion, extension, and right and left lateral flexion, right and left rotation without actual movement of the neck. These exercises will aim to improve neck muscle strength and stability.

Effects of Thoracic Spine and Cervical Spine Mobilization on Pain, Functional Disability, and Quality of Life in Patients With Mechanical Neck Pain.

Mechanical neck pain (MNP) is characterized as neck discomfort mostly originating from musculoskeletal components such as cervical facet joints, intervertebral discs, ligaments, and musculature, in the absence of indications of nerve root compression or severe pathological conditions. Although recent evidence supports the use of both cervical and thoracic mobilization for mechanical neck pain, there remains limited comparative research examining their combined or relative effects on pain, functional disability, and quality of life. A total of 66 Participants with mechanical neck pain (\> 4 weeks) will be randomly allocated into two groups: Group A (Cervical spine Maitland mobilization group) will receive cervical spine Maitland mobilization throughout the 8-week intervention period, with sessions conducted twice weekly from pre-treatment to post-treatment assessment, Each session will be lasted approximately 30 minutes, consisting of manual therapy followed by standardized therapeutic exercises, supervised exercises will be performed for approximately 15 minutes. Additionally, participants in both groups will be prescribed a daily home exercise program lasting 10-15 minutes. Group B (Thoracic Plus Cervical Spine Maitland Mobilization) will receive combined thoracic and cervical spine Maitland mobilization, Thoracic mobilization will be applied to the upper thoracic segments (T1-T4) using central PA Technique. Grades III and IV mobilizations for thoracic stiffness and restore extension mobility, while lower grades will be applied in cases of increased pain sensitivity. Thoracic mobilization will be delivered for approximately 6-8 minutes, after that cervical mobilization with same protocol of supervised exercise and home pan for mechanical neck pain will be used. Each treatment session will be lasted approximately 30 minutes. Outcome measures will include: Pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Functional disability will be evaluated using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), Health-related quality of life will be measured using the Short Form-36 (SF-36). The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of cervical spine mobilization and thoracic spine mobilization on pain intensity, functional disability, and quality of life in patients with mechanical neck pain.

TENS Versus Ultrasound With Exercise for Mechanical Neck Pain.

This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and therapeutic ultrasound, both combined with therapeutic exercises, in the management of mechanical neck pain. A total of 44 participants male and female both with mechanical neck pain will be randomly allocated into two equal groups at the physiotherapy OPD of DOW Institute of Physical Medicine \& Rehabilitation, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi. Group A will receive TENS with exercise, while group B will receive ultrasound with the same exercise protocol. Both groups will receive 9 treatment sessions over 2 weeks. Outcomes will include pain intensity, functional disability, and cervical range of motion, assessed before and after the intervention.

Muscle Energy Technique Versus Myofascial Release in Chronic Non Specific Neck Pain

Chronic non-specific neck pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that can significantly affect daily activities, sleep quality, and overall quality of life. It is often associated with muscle tightness, poor posture, and reduced neck mobility without any specific underlying structural pathology such as fracture or nerve compression. This study aims to compare two commonly used physiotherapy treatment techniques: Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain. A total of 52 participants aged 18-45 years with neck pain lasting more than three months will be included in this randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group A: Conventional physiotherapy plus Muscle Energy Technique Group B: Conventional physiotherapy plus Myofascial Release Therapy Both groups will receive treatment twice weekly for four weeks . Conventional physiotherapy will include moist heat application and stretching exercises for neck muscles. In addition, one group will receive Muscle Energy Technique targeting the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles, while the other group will receive Myofascial Release Therapy targeting the same muscle groups. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, at the second week, and at the fourth week. The study will evaluate: Pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale) Neck range of motion (Inclinometer) Sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) Neck-related disability (Neck Disability Index) The results of this study may help determine which technique is more effective in reducing pain, improving movement, enhancing sleep quality, and reducing disability in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain. This may support clinicians in selecting the most appropriate treatment approach.

Comparative Impact of Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique, Dry Cupping and Dry Needling on Mechanical Neck Pain; A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study ill include four treatment groups. Group A who will receive traditional physical therapy, group B who will receive INIT plus traditional physical therapy , group C who will receive dry cupping therapy plus traditional physical therapy or group D will receive Dry needling therapy plus traditional physical therapy . All groups completed 4 weeks of intervention.

Impact of Adding Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique to Cervical Stabilization Exercise in Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain

the goal of this clinical trial is to study the Impact of adding integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique to cervical stabilization exercise in chronic mechanical neck pain

The Effects of Spinal Mobilization Added to an Exercise Program in Recreational Tennis Players With Mechanical

This prospective, single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial evaluated whether adding cervical and thoracic spinal mobilization (Maitland concept, grades I-IV) to a structured home therapeutic exercise program improves pain intensity and physical fitness parameters in recreational tennis players with mechanical neck pain. Thirty adults aged 18-45 years with body mass index (BMI) of 18-30 kg/m² and mechanical neck pain (Visual Analog Scale, VAS \> 4) lasting more than one week were randomized 1:1 into a Control Group (CG, n=15) performing an unsupervised 21-session home exercise program (one session per day for three weeks) and an Experimental Group (EG, n=15) performing the identical home exercise program plus four therapist-delivered sessions of cervical and upper thoracic spinal mobilization (one at baseline and one per week thereafter, across three weeks). Outcomes assessed at baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 3) included VAS for pain during physical activity, at rest, and during sleep; cervical range of motion measured with a Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device; isometric neck muscle strength (handheld dynamometer); pinch and hand grip strength; ruler-drop reaction time; sit-and-reach flexibility; and vertical jump performance assessed with the My Jump Lab application.

Eye Exercises and Self-Cervical Mobilization in Office Workers With Neck Pain

This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effects of eye exercises and eye exercises plus self-cervical mobilization versus ergonomic education in office workers with mechanical neck pain. A total of 66 participants will be randomized to one of three groups and followed for 6 weeks. Outcomes assessed at baseline and week 6 include pain (VAS), cervical proprioception (joint position error), neck disability (NDI), cervical range of motion, and quality of life (Nottingham Health Profile).

The Synergistic Effects of Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique and Dry Cupping Therapy on Pain Modulation and Functional Recovery on Myofascial Trigger Points of Upper Trapezius

The purpose of the study is to investigate the Synergistic Effects of the Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique and Dry Cupping Therapy on Pain Modulation and functional recovery on Myofascial Trigger Points of the upper trapezius

Comparative Efficacy of Magnesium Sulfate Iontophoresis and Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy on Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain

The purpose of the study is to investigate the Comparative Efficacy of Magnesium Sulfate Iontophoresis and Extracorporeal shockwave therapy on Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain

Deep Cervical Flexor and Sensorimotor Training for Chronic Neck Pain

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effectiveness of deep cervical flexor muscle training combined with sensorimotor (proprioception) training in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. The study will be conducted in outpatient clinic of the faculty of physical therapy- Cairo University, involving 60 participants aged 20-40 years with neck pain persisting for more than three months. Participants will be randomly allocated into an experimental group receiving conventional physical therapy plus deep flexor and sensorimotor training, and a control group receiving conventional treatment alone. Outcome measures will include pain intensity, craniovertebral angle (CVA), cervical range of motion (ROM), segmental mobility, neuromotor control, proprioception (head repositioning accuracy), and respiratory function (FEV1 and PEF). Assessments will be performed at baseline and after four weeks of intervention. The study seeks to provide evidence-based recommendations for physiotherapy management of mechanical neck pain, particularly addressing the gaps in literature within the regional context.

Comparison of Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide &Amp; Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two therapeutic techniques-Cervical Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide (SNAG) and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)-in the treatment of mechanical neck pain. The trial seeks to determine which method is more effective in reducing pain, improving range of motion, and enhancing overall neck function in individuals suffering from mechanical neck pain.

Effect of MET With and Without MCTE in Mechanical Neck Pain

Work had to be done previously on METs and MCTE techniques, but no study has compared both techniques together to make it more comprehensible. The rationale of this will be to find out the combined effect of motor control therapeutic exercises and muscle energy technique for the treatment of pain, range of motion and disability associated with mechanical neck pain. This study will be effective for the clinicians to treat patients of mechanical neck pain.

Sustained Natural Apophysial Glide Versus Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in Patients With Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain

this study will be conducted to investigate the effect of sustained natural apophysial glide and Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization on pain intensity, cervical range of motion and neck functional disability level in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain

Comparison of Gongs and Kaltenborn Mobilization on Neck Pain

The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to find the effect of Gongs mobilization in comparison with Kaltenborn mobilization on mechanical neck pain , range of motion and proprioception.A randomized control trial that will include total 44 participants. The first group will receive Gongs mobilization along with conventional therapy and 2nd group will receive Kaltenborn mobilization along with conventional therapy.

Effect of Dynamic Cupping Versus Myofascial Release Therapy in Patients With Mechanical Neck Pain

A Quasi-experimental study will investigate the effect of dry cupping massage versus myofascial release on patients with mechanical neck pain.