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Not yet recruitingNCT07646327Updated Jun 12, 2026

Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides With and Without Facilitated Positional Release Technique in Cervicogenic Dizziness

An interventional study of SNAGs with FRT and SNAGs in Cervicogenic Dizziness, sponsored by Riphah International University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 35 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-12.

Sponsored by Riphah International University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was expected by Jul 2026, 3 months ago, but the record still lists the study as not yet recruiting.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
42
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 35 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Cervicogenic Dizziness is characterized by non-rotatory dizziness and a sense of disequilibrium associated with neck pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. It arises from the abnormal afferent inputs from the upper cervical spine. Patients may experience lightheadedness and neck pain triggered by neck movements, leading to functional limitations. The present study aims to compare the effects of sustained natural apophyseal glides only and in combination with the facilitated positional release technique on pain intensity, severity of dizziness, range of motion, and functional status among patients with cervicogenic dizziness

Read the detailed description

A double-blinded randomized clinical trial will be conducted at the Government Teaching Hospital, Shahdara, Lahore. A total of 42 patients (21 in each group) will be enrolled in this study, and a non-probability, purposive sampling technique will be used for data collection. Patients will be allocated to Group A and Group B after randomization using an online randomization tool. After obtaining informed consent, Group A will receive treatment of SNAGs along with FPRT, while Group B will receive SNAGs only, three times a week for four weeks. Outcome measures will include the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory Scale (DHI) for dizziness, a goniometer for range of motion, and the Neck Disability Index (NDI) for functional status. Assessment will be conducted on the first day and after four weeks of treatment. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics will be presented, and the data normality will be assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test to determine whether a parametric or non-parametric test will be used within or between-group analyses.

02

Conditions studied

  • Cervicogenic Dizziness

Keywords

  • Dizziness, neck pain, range of motion
03

In context

Dizziness

226 studies on the registry are indexed under Dizziness; 56 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 42 is close to the median of 43 across 170 interventional studies indexed under Dizziness.

Browse Dizziness studies →

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University is the lead sponsor of 2,193 studies on the registry; 650 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 35 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

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.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age group between 18 and 35 years
  • Both male and female participants
  • Non-traumatic cervicogenic dizziness with positive cervical torsion test

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

    • History of cervical trauma or head/face injury

      • Vestibular disorder, i.e., BPPV
      • Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency
      • Positive Dix-Hallpike Maneuver, Alar Ligament Stress Test, and Vertebral Artery Test
      • History of cardiovascular disorders
      • Pregnancy
      • Diagnosed psychological disorders
      • History of cervical spine surgery
      • Vertebral Fractures
      • Spine disorders such as cervical spondylosis and disc herniation
      • Presence of tumor
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Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
42 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    SNAGs along with Functional positional Release Technique

    SNAGs (Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides) and Functional Release Techniques (FRT) are highly effective, non-invasive manual therapy methods used to treat cervicogenic dizziness. They target the faulty biomechanics, joint restrictions, and muscle hypertonicity in the upper cervical spine (C1-C3) that disrupt cervical proprioception and trigger dizziness.

    Other: SNAGs with FRT

  • Active comparator
    SNAGs

    SNAGs (Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides) are targeted manual therapy techniques that combine sustained joint glides with active patient movement. Highly effective for cervicogenic dizziness, they reduce neck pain, improve cervical range of motion, and decrease dizziness by restoring proper upper cervical spine biomechanics and alleviating joint restrictions

    Other: SNAGs

Interventions

  • OtherSNAGs with FRT

    SNAG : The therapist will place the palmar aspect of the thumb reinforced by the opposite thumb over the spinous process of C2. The other fingers will apply light pressure on both sides of the face to stabilize the head The therapist will apply anterior glide to C2. Instruct the patient to move his/her neck in the offending direction. FRT: The therapist will palpate the upper trapezius tender point. After palpation, the patient's neck will be brought into a neutral position. The therapist will apply a gentle axial facilitating force (compressive force) through the head towards the feet and will quickly turn the patient's head in side flexion towards the tender point in a position of maximum relaxation. The therapist will maintain this position for 3 to 5 seconds, and the patient's neck will be turned into a neutral position.

  • OtherSNAGs

    The patient will be seated. The therapist will stand behind the patient. The therapist will place the palmar aspect of the thumb reinforced by the opposite thumb over the spinous process of C2. The other fingers will apply light pressure on both sides of the face to stabilize the head The therapist will apply anterior glide to C2. Instruct the patient to move his/her neck in the offending direction.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for Pain

    It is the most frequently used pain outcome measure. It consists of a horizontal 10 cm straight line with 2 marks that have "no pain" (score of 0) and a "worst imaginable pain" (score of 10) at either end of the line. On this scale, respondents will be asked to rate their level of pain before and after the treatment. The test-retest reliability of NPRS is (ICC = 0.72), and the construct validity is (AUC = 0.78-0.93). The Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) is 2.5 points, suggesting a reduction of at least 2.5 points on the NPRS is clinically significant

    Time frame: Upto 4 weeks

  2. Dizziness Handicap Inventory Scale (DHI) for dizziness

    The DHI questionnaire consists of 25 items with physical, emotional, and functional subscales. This scale evaluates the self-perceived handicap from dizziness. Patients will be asked to answer the questions considering their condition before and after the treatment. Each item on the questionnaire ranges from 0 to 4. Scores of 16-34 indicate mild, 36-52 indicate moderate, and 54 points or more represent severe handicap. The test-retest reliability of DHI is high (r = 0.92 to 0.97) and high internal consistency (alpha = 0.72 to 0.89). The MCID for DHI is reported as ≥ 10 points

    Time frame: Upto 4 weeks

  3. Universal Goniometer for ROM

    It was used to measure the cervical range of motion. It is a less expensive and easy-to-use instrument. It has two arms, one of which is stationary and the other is a movable arm. The center of the UG is the fulcrum. The test-retest reliability of the goniometer is excellent (ICC ≥ 0.98), and the inter-rater reliability is (ICC ≥ 0.94). The Minimal Detectable Change (MDC ≤ 5.23% (≈ 2-3°) is considered a true change in ROM

    Time frame: Upto 4 weeks

  4. Neck Disability Index (NDI) for disability

    The NDI questionnaire consists of 10 items designed to measure neck-specific disability. Out of 10 items, 7 correlated with daily living activities, 2 with pain, and 1 with concentration. Each item on the questionnaire ranges from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater disability. The test-retest reliability of NDI is high (r = 0.89), and the Construct validity is (r ≥ 0.70). The MCID for NDI is \>5 Points, meaning a reduction of 5 or more points is considered clinically meaningful

    Time frame: Upto 4 weeks

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Government Teaching Hospital Shahdara
    Lahore, Punjab Province 54920, Pakistan
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Wrisley DM, Sparto PJ, Whitney SL, Furman JM. Cervicogenic dizziness: a review of diagnosis and treatment. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2000 Dec;30(12):755-66. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2000.30.12.755. PubMed 11153554 ↗
  • Luscher M, Theilgaard S, Edholm B. Prevalence and characteristics of diagnostic groups amongst 1034 patients seen in ENT practices for dizziness. J Laryngol Otol. 2014 Feb;128(2):128-33. doi: 10.1017/S0022215114000188. Epub 2014 Feb 13. PubMed 24521903 ↗
  • Vural M, Karan A, Albayrak Gezer I, Caliskan A, Atar S, Yildiz Aydin F, Coskun Benlidayi I, Goksen A, Koldas Dogan S, Karacan G, Erdem R, Eda Kurt E, Kesiktas FN, Aydin T, Sahin N, Aydin Z, Ordahan B, Turkoglu G, Resorlu H, Doner D, Yilmaz F, Bertan H, Dulgeroglu D, Karaahmet OZ, Sonel Tur B, Moustafa E, Borman P, Iskender O, Ay S, Kurtaran A, Sirzai H, Evcik D, Capan N, Erhan B, Alptekin HK, Ural HI. Prevalence, etiology, and biopsychosocial risk factors of cervicogenic dizziness in patients with neck pain: A multi-center, cross-sectional study. Turk J Phys Med Rehabil. 2021 Dec 1;67(4):399-408. doi: 10.5606/tftrd.2021.7983. eCollection 2021 Dec. PubMed 35141479 ↗
  • Bayraklı BB, Kuzu Ö, ÇElİK C. A Rare Cause of Vertigo: Cervicogenic Dizziness. Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Bilimleri Dergisi. 2025;28:90-2.
  • Moen U, Knapstad MK, Wilhelmsen KT, Goplen FK, Nordahl SHG, Berge JE, Natvig B, Meldrum D, Magnussen LH. Musculoskeletal pain patterns and association between dizziness symptoms and pain in patients with long term dizziness - a cross-sectional study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2023 Mar 8;24(1):173. doi: 10.1186/s12891-023-06279-z. PubMed 36882720 ↗
  • Takahashi S. Importance of cervicogenic general dizziness. J Rural Med. 2018 May;13(1):48-56. doi: 10.2185/jrm.2958. Epub 2018 May 29. PubMed 29875897 ↗
  • Sung Y-H. Classification of cervicogenic dizziness. Hearing, Balance and Communication. 2023;21(1):10-5.
  • Li Y, Peng B. Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Cervical Vertigo. Pain Physician. 2015 Jul-Aug;18(4):E583-95. PubMed 26218949 ↗
  • Moon KM, Kim J, Seong Y, Suh BC, Kang K, Choe HK, Kim K. Proprioception, the regulator of motor function. BMB Rep. 2021 Aug;54(8):393-402. doi: 10.5483/BMBRep.2021.54.8.052. PubMed 34078529 ↗
  • Sung YH. Suboccipital Muscles, Forward Head Posture, and Cervicogenic Dizziness. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Dec 5;58(12):1791. doi: 10.3390/medicina58121791. PubMed 36556992 ↗
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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jun 12, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07646327
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Jun 12, 2026
Start date
May 30, 2026 (estimated)
Primary completion
Jul 30, 2026 (estimated)
Completion
Aug 30, 2026 (estimated)
Last update
Jun 12, 2026

Study contacts

Samrood Akram, PhD*
Contact
samrood.akram@riphah.edu.pk
03324806143
Rahat Afzal, MS-OMPT
principal investigator · Governement Teaching Hospital Shahdara Lahore.

Oversight

FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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