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RecruitingNCT07921004Updated Nov 6, 2026

Effects of Alexander Technique Versus Feldenkrais Somatic Training in Patients With Text Neck Syndrome

An interventional study of Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Somatic training in Text Neck Syndrome, sponsored by Riphah International University. Recruiting at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 40 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-06.

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

Updated Nov 6, 2026Newly registeredGo to Updates ↓
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
46
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 40 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

in this era, increasing use of smart gadgets such as mobile phones, laptops, computers etc has led to rise in musculoskeletal disorders, particularly Text Neck Syndrome, which is characterized by neck and upper back pain with prolonged neck flexion and forward head posture. Somatic education approaches such as the Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Method offer alternative strategies by emphasizing postural awareness, movement quality, and neuromuscular re-education rather than repetitive exercise alone. The study will be conducted as a randomized clinical trial and the assessor will be blind. Sample size of 46 subjects will be taken according to inclusion criteria and subjects will be allocated in two groups by computer generator software. Conventional intervention will be received as a standardized treatment protocol in both groups with additional intervention. Group A will receive Alexander technique while Group B will receive Feldenkrais technique. The data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods to evaluate the effectiveness of each intervention. This study's results can provide valuable information to healthcare professionals on how to manage Text neck syndrome.

Read the detailed description

PROJECT SUMMARY:

In this modern era, increasing use of smart gadgets such as mobile phones, laptops, computers etc has led to rise in musculoskeletal disorders, particularly Text Neck Syndrome, which is characterized by neck and upper back pain with prolonged neck flexion and forward head posture. Although conventional physiotherapy interventions such as postural correction, strengthening, and stretching have demonstrated benefits; however, persistent symptoms, functional limitations, and reduced treatment adherence remain challenges. Somatic education approaches such as the Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Method offer alternative strategies by emphasizing postural awareness, movement quality, and neuromuscular re-education rather than repetitive exercise alone. The Alexander Technique focuses on optimizing the head-neck-spine relationship, reducing unnecessary muscle tension, and modifying habitual movement patterns through conscious inhibition and direction, whereas the Feldenkrais Method employs gentle, awareness-based movement lessons and functional integration to enhance sensorimotor organization, proprioception, and movement efficiency. Both approaches may contribute to improved posture, reduced pain and enhanced functional outcomes in individuals with neck pain.

The study will be conducted as a randomized clinical trial and the assessor will be blind. Sample size of 46 subjects will be taken according to inclusion criteria and subjects will be allocated in two groups by computer generator software. Conventional intervention will be received as a standardized treatment protocol in both groups with additional somatic intervention. Group A will receive Alexander technique while Group B will receive Feldenkrais technique. The primary outcomes measured will be pain, disability, and cranio-cervical angle. The study will collect data at baseline and four weeks using validated outcome measures. The data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods to evaluate the effectiveness of each intervention. In this study, participants in both groups will receive treatment twice a week, with a total of eight treatment sessions over the four-week study period. The results of the study will provide valuable insights into the efficacy of Alexander technique and Feldenkrais training in managing Text neck syndrome. This study's results can provide valuable information to healthcare professionals on how to manage Text neck syndrome and may contribute to the development of future research in this area.

02

Conditions studied

  • Text Neck Syndrome

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Keywords

  • Disability
  • Neck pain
  • Postural balance
  • Somatic training
  • Text Neck syndrome
03

In context

Neck Pain

1,360 studies on the registry are indexed under Neck Pain; 299 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 46 is close to the median of 50 across 1,116 interventional studies indexed under Neck Pain.

Browse Neck Pain 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 40 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

  • Male and Female are included
  • Age between 18- 40 years age
  • Using smart phone ≥4 hours/day
  • Neck pain duration ≥3 months
  • Neck pain increase by sustained posture
  • NDI score range from >20 points
  • Cranio-vertebral angle ≤ 48°

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Any trauma or injury on cervical and thoracic spine
  • History of cervical spine surgery
  • Specific neck pathologies (cervical disc herniation, radiculopathy, inflammatory conditions, spinal infection and tumor)
  • Congenital Spinal deformity
  • Psychological problem
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double (Participant, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
46 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Alexander Technique

    Other: Alexander Technique · Other: Base line Treatment (Standard PT protocol)

  • Experimental
    Feldenkrais Somatic training

    Other: Feldenkrais Somatic training · Other: Base line Treatment (Standard PT protocol)

Interventions

  • OtherAlexander Technique

    Each patient will receive a total number of eight treatment sessions over a four-week period and each session is about 45 min. There will be 3 sessions in per week. Constructive rest-5 min, Gentle cervical rotation in supine , 4-5 each side, Head and neck release awareness in sitting, Semi supine arm awareness, Sitting Posture Re-education: Ask the patient to hold the phone at eye level, Sitting to standing by Alexander Method, Gentle cervical rotation sitting, Functional Reaching with AT Cues, Stimulated phone use training, Sustained posture awareness drill

  • OtherFeldenkrais Somatic training

    Each patient will receive a total number of eight treatment sessions over a four-week period and each session is about 45 min. There will be 3 sessions in per week. Body scan in supine, small circles in supine , Chin nodding in supine lying, Jaw-neck awareness (ask the patient to open \& close mouth gently), Head turning with shoulder awareness (patient is in supine position, ask the patient to turn head right while noticing left shoulder and move to the alternate sides.), Eye-head coordination (ask the patient to move eyes right first, then head follows then reverse direction.), Side-lying head lift (1 cm), Scapula-neck relationship (patient in standing, ask the patient to gently slide shoulder up/down while head rests and therapist observe neck response.), Thoracic rolling in supine, Pelvic rocking with in supine lying, Standing weight shift + head response, Walking with free neck, Text neck re education

  • OtherBase line Treatment (Standard PT protocol)

    TENS (10 min), Hot pack (10 min), Soft tissue mobilization, Grade I, II matland mobilization of cervical spine, AROM (10 reps- 2 sets), Upper trapezius stretch (5 sets, hold for 15-30 sec), Levator Scapulae stretch (5 sets, hold for 15-30 sec), SCM stretch (5 sets, hold for 15-30 sec), Pectoralis major stretch (5 sets, hold for 15-30 sec), Cervical isometrics in flexion, extension and side bending (5-10 sets, hold for 10 sec).

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. NPRS (Numeric Pain Rating Scale)

    Numeric pain rating scale were used to measure the intensity level of the patient's pain. Scale consists of 11 points, ranging from 0 -10. 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst imaginable pain. Subjects select the number that best symbolizes their level of pain. 0= No pain 1-3= Mild pain 4-6= Moderate pain 7-10= severe pain

    Time frame: From enrollment to end of week 4

  2. NDI (Neck Disability Index)

    The Neck Disability Index is the most general measure for evaluating self-perceived disability in patients with neck pain. Each question has six options to rate the disability level from 0 (no disability) to 5 (total disability). The numeric responses for each question are summed for a total score between 0 and 50. No disability= 0 - 4 Mild= 5 - 14 Moderate= 15 - 24 Severe= 25 - 34 Complete Disability = 35 - 50

    Time frame: From enrolment to end of week 4

  3. Photogrammetry for Cranio-vertebral angle

    Photogrammetry is a most commonly used noninvasive tool to assess cranio-vertebral angle or posture alignment. Participants will be asked to stand or seated in normal or relaxed posture. Lateral photographs were taken and mark the spinous process of C7 and tragus of ear. The angle between the line joining from tragus to C7 spinous process and horizontal line will be measured with the help of Image J. Software to determine cranio-vertebral angle.

    Time frame: From enrollment to end of week 4

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • Riaz Mansoor Trust Hospital
    Lahore, Punjab Province 54000, Pakistan
    Recruiting
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Klein SD, Bayard C, Wolf U. The Alexander Technique and musicians: a systematic review of controlled trials. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014 Oct 24;14:414. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-414. PubMed 25344325 ↗
  • Shadi N, Khalaghi K, Seyedahmadi M. Comparing the effects of Pilates, corrective exercises, and Alexander's technique on upper cross syndrome among adolescent girls student (ages 13-16): a six-week study. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2024 Jun 28;16(1):143. doi: 10.1186/s13102-024-00933-2. PubMed 38943175 ↗
  • Qin D, Qin Y, Wang Y, Xue L, Peng Y. RETRACTED: Effects of the Alexander technique on pain and adverse events in chronic non-specific neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2024 Nov 22;19(11):e0313526. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0313526. eCollection 2024. PubMed 39576801 ↗
  • Brummer M, Walach H, Schmidt S. Feldenkrais 'Functional Integration' Increases Body Contact Surface in the Supine Position: A Randomized-Controlled Experimental Study. Front Psychol. 2018 Oct 24;9:2023. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02023. eCollection 2018. PubMed 30405500 ↗
  • Jain S, Janssen K, DeCelle S. Alexander technique and Feldenkrais method: a critical overview. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2004 Nov;15(4):811-25, vi. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2004.04.005. PubMed 15458754 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Updates

1 registry update since Sep 25, 2026
Registered
First appeared on the registry. No changes since
Nov 6, 2026
Show all 1 update
  1. Nov 6, 2026
    First appeared on the registry

From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07921004
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Nov 6, 2026
Start date
Oct 28, 2026
Primary completion
Dec 1, 2026 (estimated)
Completion
Jan 10, 2027 (estimated)
Last update
Nov 6, 2026

Study contacts

Imran Amjad
Contact
imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk
+923324390125
Ali Raza
principal investigator · Riphah International University

Oversight

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

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