Clinical Research Directory

Effects of Muscle Energy Technique With and Without Scapulothoracic Mobilization on Neck Pain in Students

Non-specific neck pain is neck pain that cannot be attributed to any known, specific pathology such as inflammatory disease, cancer, fracture or infection. Non-specific neck pain accounts for a large proportion of musculoskeletal disorders among young people, especially university students, due to prolonged static postures, prolonged screen time and poor ergonomic habits. In some cases, muscular imbalances or excessive activity of the cervical and periscapular muscles due to prolonged forward head posture is suggested to be the cause. In other cases, altered neuromuscular function, limited movement of the scapulothoracic region resulting in altered cervical mechanics or mild dysfunction of the facet joints between cervical vertebrae may be the cause. In addition to these, there may be other minor disorders that cause pain and impairment of function in the connective tissues and surrounding soft tissue components in the neck and upper thorax. When symptoms last longer than three months, the term "chronic" non-specific neck pain is used. Non-specific neck pain has been treated with numerous therapeutic interventions such as manual therapy, exercise based approaches, dry needling, postural correction and soft tissue procedures. Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is an active osteopathic manual therapies method that uses the patient's own contractions to lengthen and relax hypertonic muscles and improve joint mobility. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of Muscle Energy Technique with and without Scapulothoracic Mobilization on pain, range of motion and disability among university students with non-specific neck pain. The study design will be a randomized clinical trial and evaluation will be done using Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Goniometer. However, the most effective combination of these interventions as a method of rehabilitation for altered cervical kinematics and pain. Further research is necessary to determine the best effective mix of these interventions as a rehabilitation strategy for non-specific neck pain in college students, which reflects the complexity of the condition. This study aims to assess the response of university students with non-specific neck pain to Muscle Energy Technique with and without Scapulothoracic Mobilization in terms of pain, range of motion and impairment. A randomized clinical trial will be used as the study design. The Neck Disability Index (NDI), Goniometer and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) will be used for evaluation. The subjects will be divided into two groups at random using non-probability convenient sampling; Group A will receive Muscle Energy Technique in addition to Scapulothoracic Mobilizations, while Group B will receive Muscle Energy Technique alone. Prior to the application of the technique, both groups will receive a 15-minute moist heat as a basic treatment for non-specific neck pain; both groups will receive 12 sessions over the course of four weeks; measurements of all outcome variables will be taken at baseline, the second week, and the fourth week. The results will be analyzed using SPSS 24.