An interventional study of Muscle Energy Technique + Scapulothoracic Mobilization. and Muscle Energy Technique. in Non Psecific Neck Pain, sponsored by University of Management and Technology Lahore. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 30 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-03.
Sponsored by University of Management and Technology Lahore · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
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.
University of Management and Technology Lahore is the lead sponsor of 34 studies on the registry; 19 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
will undergo scapulothoracic mobilization after receiving Muscle Energy Technique (MET) that targets the levator scapulae and upper trapezius muscles. The therapist will position the cervical spine in flexion, contralateral side bending, and minor ipsilateral rotation for the upper trapezius as the patient lies supine until the initial resistance barrier is reached. After 7-10 seconds of an isometric shoulder shrug against 20-30% therapist resistance, the participant will relax. Following relaxation, the therapist will gently stretch the new barrier and hold it there for ten to fifteen seconds. This process will be carried out five times. The cervical spine will be positioned in flexion, contralateral side bending, and contralateral rotation for the levator scapulae. The participant will attempt to raise the shoulder against therapist resistance for 7-10 seconds as part of a mild isometric contraction. After that, they will rest and stretch for 10-15 seconds. There will be five repeat
Other: Muscle Energy Technique + Scapulothoracic Mobilization.
will be given the identical MET program as Group A for the levator scapulae and upper trapezius muscles. Nevertheless, there won't be any scapulothoracic mobilization. In order to compare results and ascertain the extra impact of scapulothoracic mobilization, this group will solely receive the MET intervention. Participants in both groups will be advised to do a standardized at-home exercise regimen that includes deep cervical flexor activation activities, pectoralis muscle stretching, chin tuck movements, and scapular retraction exercises in addition to the supervised treatment sessions. Stretching exercises will be held for 30 seconds and repeated three times a day, while each exercise will be done in three sets of ten repetitions.
Other: Muscle Energy Technique.
will undergo scapulothoracic mobilization after receiving Muscle Energy Technique (MET) that targets the levator scapulae and upper trapezius muscles. The therapist will position the cervical spine in flexion, contralateral side bending, and minor ipsilateral rotation for the upper trapezius as the patient lies supine until the initial resistance barrier is reached. After 7-10 seconds of an isometric shoulder shrug against 20-30% therapist resistance, the participant will relax. Following relaxation, the therapist will gently stretch the new barrier and hold it there for ten to fifteen seconds. This process will be carried out five times. The cervical spine will be positioned in flexion, contralateral side bending, and contralateral rotation for the levator scapulae. The participant will attempt to raise the shoulder against therapist resistance for 7-10 seconds as part of a mild isometric contraction. After that, they will rest and stretch for 10-15 seconds. There will be five repeats
will be given the identical MET program as Group A for the levator scapulae and upper trapezius muscles. Nevertheless, there won't be any scapulothoracic mobilization. In order to compare results and ascertain the extra impact of scapulothoracic mobilization, this group will solely receive the MET intervention. Participants in both groups will be advised to do a standardized at-home exercise regimen that includes deep cervical flexor activation activities, pectoralis muscle stretching, chin tuck movements, and scapular retraction exercises in addition to the supervised treatment sessions. Stretching exercises will be held for 30 seconds and repeated three times a day, while each exercise will be done in three sets of ten repetitions
NUMERIC PAIN RATING SCALE
Numeric Rating Scale (NPRS) is most frequently used instruments to measure pain intensity in low back pain (LBP). The 11-point numeric with 0 representing No pain, 1-3 representing Mild Pain (nagging, annoying, interfering little with ADLs), 4-6 representing Moderate Pains (interferes significantly with ADLs), 7-10 representing Sever Pain (disabling, unable to perform ADLs).
Time frame: baseline and after 4 weeks
The Neck Disability Index (NDI)
The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a ten-item questionnaire based on the Oswestry Low Back Pain Index that assesses disability associated with neck pain and whiplash. It is the most widely used and most strongly validated instrument for assessing self-rated disability in patients with neck pain. It has been used effectively in both clinical and research settings in the treatment of this very common problem. (16) There are four items that relate to subjective symptomatology (pain intensity, headache, concentration, sleeping) and six items that relate to activities of daily living (lifting, work, driving, recreation, personal care, reading). The questionnaire requires only 5-10 minutes to complete and score, and requires no special training to administer. A score of less than 4 indicates no disability, 5-14 mild disability, 15-24 moderate disability, 25-34 severe disability, and scores greater than 35 complete disabilities
Time frame: baseline and after 4 weeks
CLINOMETER PLUS BUBBLE LEVEL
The Clinometer application (Plaincode App Development, Google Play Store) on a smartphone will be used to measure active cervical range of motion (ROM) in all six directions: flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion, and right and left rotation. The participant will be seated upright for flexion, extension, and lateral flexion, and supine for rotation, as the supine position shifts the device into a vertical plane using the accelerometer rather than the magnetometer, resolving the poor rotation validity seen in seated protocols. With SEM ranging from 1.17° to 2.01° and minimal detectable change from 1.18° to 2.02°, the Clinometer application showed moderate to excellent concurrent validity (ICC = 0.544-0.888, p \< 0.01) and moderate to excellent intra rater reliability (ICC = 0.774-0.928) across all six cervical movements, confirming its validity and reliability for measuring active cervical range of motion (40). With the smartphone flat against the corresponding plane of the
Time frame: baseline and after 4 weeks
Plan to share: Yes — The results data collected, de-identified individual participant data will be shared.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Statistical analysis plan, Informed consent form
Time frame: 6 months after the publication of the manuscript.
Access criteria: The data can be requested from the corresponding author.
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University of Management and Technology Lahore