An interventional study of Muscle Energy Technique and Eccentric muscle energy technique in Upper Cross Syndrome, sponsored by Riphah International University. Recruiting at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-06-18.
Sponsored by Riphah International University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Among 123 studies in Neck Pain by Riphah International University — 31 open to participants now, 31 under way, none of them phase 3. Neck Pain · Riphah International University.
Among the 123 studies in Neck Pain by Riphah International University, this one is the 75th largest by planned enrollment of the 117 interventional ones, is one of 18 that started in 2025, is one of 117 with no phase, reaches primary completion later than 11 of the 30 other live ones, and was the 97th registered.
1,360 studies on the registry are indexed under Neck Pain; 299 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 34 is below the median of 50 across 1,116 interventional studies indexed under Neck Pain.
Browse Neck Pain studies →31 of the 123 studies in Neck Pain by Riphah International University are open now, in 1 country. Each count lists the studies.
Of the 155 Neck Pain studies recruiting now, 25 (16%) set no upper age limit and 117 (75%) stop at 75 or younger; 8 take children under 18; 26 take healthy volunteers.
This study: 18 Years to 65 Years · all sexes · no healthy volunteers.
The full table on the hub →123 studies; the count open now beside each. This study's row is marked.
First in 2018; this study’s year is marked. 18 started in 2025.
Median enrollment 40 across the 117 interventional studies, 114 across the 6 observational. Of the 86 that completed or were terminated, 0 (0%) have results posted.
Riphah International University is the lead sponsor of 2,193 studies on the registry; 650 are open to participants now.
5 of the studies in Neck Pain by Riphah International University that are under way reach primary completion within a year, 0 of them phase 3. Phase 3 first, then by date:
| Study | Primary completion |
|---|---|
| NCT07791706Riphah International UniversityApplication Based Behavior Nudging Active Breaks Versus Conventional Ergonomic Education for Thoracic Mobility and Neck Pain in Office Workers | 2026-11-17 |
| NCT07573527Riphah International UniversityEffectiveness of Tele-Rehabilitation in Managing Rhomboid Trigger Points in Patients With Myofascial Pain Syndrome | 2026-12 |
| NCT07921004Riphah International UniversityEffects of Alexander Technique Versus Feldenkrais Somatic Training in Patients With Text Neck Syndrome | 2026-12-01 |
| NCT07920978Riphah International UniversityStrain Counter Strain and Conventional Stretching in School-aged Children With Mechanical Neck Pain Due to Prolong Screen Use | 2027-03 |
| NCT07791680Riphah International UniversityBruegger's Relief Exercise in Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain | 2027-08-01 |
Among the 123 studies in Neck Pain by Riphah International University, from their registry updates:
This study will be a randomized clinical trial and will be conducted in Younus Hospital, Tehsil headquarters hospital Daska, and Riphah Rehabilitation Clinic Lahore. Non-probability consecutive sampling will be used to collect the data. A sample size of 40 subjects with an age group between 18-65 years will be taken. Data will be collected from the patients having present complaints of Neck pain associated with upper cross syndrome. Outcome measures will be taken using the Numeric Rating Pain Scale (NRPS) for pain and the Neck disability index (NDI) for neck functional health and craniovertebral angle for posture. An informed consent will be taken. Subjects will be selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and will be equally divided into two groups by a random number generator table. Both Groups will receive Moist Hot Pack, Cervical segmental mobilizations, and Free Neck Exercises (AROMs), while Group A will receive Muscle energy technique(eccentric muscle energy technique for the cervical spine with Mets for upper trapezius, Suboccipitalis and pectoralis muscle), and Group B will receive cervical and scapulothoracic stabilization exercises(axial elongation exercise, craniocervical flexion, cervical extension and Cervico-scapulothoracic stabilization exercises). Outcome measures will be measured at baseline and after 4 weeks. Data analysis will be done by SPSS version 25.
Neck pain is one of the most commonly occurring musculoskeletal disorders if left untreated can lead to severe complications. Cervical spine and soft tissue disorders e.g. muscles, ligaments, discs, facet joints, etc. are major causes of neck pain while neck pain caused by postural abnormality is termed as upper cross syndrome. Upper crossed syndrome (UCS) characterizes a prevalent postural dysfunction involving dysfunctional tone in the musculature of the neck, shoulders, and upper back that cross between the dorsal and the ventral sides of the body. This condition is given its name because an "X," in other words a cross, can be drawn across the upper body. One arm of the cross indicates the muscles that are typically tight/overly facilitated and the other arm of the cross indicates the muscles that are typically weak/overly inhibited. There are two types of muscles present in our body - the postural muscles such as pectoralis major, upper trapezius, and sternocleidomastoid, and other phasic muscles such as deep-neck flexors, and lower trapezius. In Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS) there is tightness of the upper trapezius and levator scapula on the dorsal side crosses with tightness of the pectoralis major and minor. Weakness of the deep cervical flexors, ventrally, crosses with weakness of the middle and lower trapezius. This pattern of imbalance creates joint dysfunction, particularly at the Atlanto-occipital joint, C4-C5 segment, cervicothoracic joint, glen humeral joint, and T4-T5 segment. Specific postural changes are seen in UCS, including forward head posture, increased cervical Lordosis and thoracic kyphosis, elevated and protracted shoulders, and rotation or abduction and winging of the scapulae. The main risk factor for developing UCS is maintaining an abnormal posture for a prolonged duration. Some daily activities that involve bad postures are often occupation-related. Repetitive tasks or continuous work for long hours can aggravate postural deviations. Because of increased work stress and a sedentary lifestyle, society is becoming more flexion-addicted attitude. In which people tend to frequently stoop forward. This is seen in office workers and students who tend to sit at a desk for prolonged periods, slouching forward to see the computer screen. Therefore, once muscle dysfunction starts, traditional muscle imbalance trends and altered posture follow. Head, neck structures can set limits on head's range of motion (ROM) and cause discomfort to the neck, mid-back muscle spasm/tightness, and decreased range of motion.
Understanding of which intervention yields better outcomes for pain relief, reduction in disability, and improvement in craniovertebral angle is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies for upper crossed syndrome patients. This study seeks to provide evidence-based guidance to clinicians regarding the most effective therapeutic approach. Considering the high prevalence of Upper Cross syndrome in the modern world, this study aims to check the effects of METs versus cervical and scapula-thoracic stabilization exercises on pain, disability and craniovertebral angle in patients with Upper Cross syndrome.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Corticosteroids (steroids)
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Other: Muscle Energy Technique
Other: Eccentric muscle energy technique
Eccentric muscle energy technique was applied to subjects' cervical spine. The cervical spine will brought to the barrier of motion in each plane i.e. flexion/extension, lateral bending and rotation. Then subjects will asked to push their heads into the direction opposite that of the barrier. The therapist provided isometric resistance for 3- 5 seconds, after which the subjects relaxed their muscles completely and the therapist applied stretch.
Eccentric muscle energy technique was applied to subjects' cervical spine. The cervical spine will brought to the barrier of motion in each plane i.e. flexion/extension, lateral bending and rotation. Then subjects will asked to push their heads into the direction opposite that of the barrier. The therapist provided isometric resistance for 3- 5 seconds, after which the subjects relaxed their muscles completely and the therapist applied stretch. Three to five repetitions will performed.
Numeric Rating Pain Scale (NRPS)
The patient's level of pain will be assessed using this scale. This scale ranges from 0 to 10. 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "worst pain".
Time frame: Baseline, 4th Week
Neck disability index (NDI)
The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a 10-item questionnaire that measures a patient's self-reported neck pain-related disability
Time frame: Baseline, 4th Week
Craniovertebral angle (CVA)
The craniovertebral angle is identified as the intersection of a horizontal line passing through the C7 spinous process and a line joining the midpoint of the tragus of the ear to the skin overlying the C7 spinous process
Time frame: Baseline, 4th Week
Plan to share: No
Started Mar 2025 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Aug 2025, 5 months after the start.
Of 763 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Neck Pain, half reached primary completion within 7 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 3 and three quarters within 15. This study's planned 5 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 772 studies reached it within 7 months; a quarter within 3 and three quarters within 15.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
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