Effect of MET vs Neck Calliet Exercises on Neck Pain and Disability in Nurses

September 11, 2025 updated by: Fiza Tariq, University of Faisalabad

Comparative Effectiveness of Muscle Energy Technique and Neck Calliet Exercises on Mechanical Neck Pain and Disability Due to Trapezius Trigger Point Among Nurses

This study compares the effectiveness of Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) and Neck Calliet Exercises in managing mechanical neck pain and associated disability due to trapezius trigger points among nurses. A total of 38 female nurses were randomly assigned to two intervention groups, each receiving therapy for four weeks. Pain, cervical range of motion, and disability outcomes were assessed.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Musculoskeletal disorders, particularly neck pain, are highly prevalent among nurses due to repetitive strain, prolonged standing, and non-ergonomic work postures. One of the major contributors to mechanical neck pain is the presence of active myofascial trigger points in the trapezius muscle, which limit cervical range of motion (CROM) and increase disability.This single-blinded, randomized clinical trial aimed to compare the effectiveness of Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) and Neck Calliet Exercises in reducing mechanical neck pain and disability among nurses with trapezius trigger points. Thirty-eight participants were randomly divided into two groups: Group A received MET, and Group B performed Neck Calliet Exercises. Both groups also received TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) therapy as a baseline treatment. Each participant received treatment three times per week for four weeks.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
38

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab Province
      • Faisalabad, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 38000
        • Recruiting
        • The University of Faisalabad
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Dr. Tanveer Ahmad, HOD Surgery

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Female nurses
  • Between 18 and 30 years of age
  • Having mechanical neck discomfort that is confined to the cervical or bilateral scapular regions (pain level must be 3-5 VAS)
  • There must be at least one trigger point in trapezius muscle
  • The participant must be ready to participate No clinical therapy for neck pain must have been performed in the preceding month

Exclusion Criteria:

  • A recent medical history including surgery on the shoulder or neck
  • Signs of myelopathy in the clinic or radiculopathy
  • Diagnosed Fibromyalgia syndrome, psychiatric problems
  • Pregnancy
  • Cervical stenosis, malignancy (cervical, breast cancer)
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Vestibulobasilar artery syndrome
  • Whiplash injury
  • Diagnosis of migraine
  • Diabetes type I, systematic illness of cardio-respiratory system
  • Congenital deformities affecting the spine, shoulders, and limbs
  • Osteoporosis of cervical spine or cervical myeloma

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: MET Group
Participants received Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) for 4 weeks, 3 sessions per week, in addition to TENS
Behavioral: Muscle Energy Technique
Participants in this group received Muscle Energy Techniques targeting the upper trapezius trigger points. Treatment was provided 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. Each session included post-isometric relaxation techniques with stretching, along with baseline TENS therapy.Participants performed Neck Calliet Exercises focusing on cervical flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral flexion. Exercises were done under supervision, 3 times per week for 4 weeks. All participants also received baseline TENS therapy.
Experimental: Calliet Exercise Group
Participants performed Neck Calliet Exercises for 4 weeks, 3 sessions per week, in addition to TENS.
Other: Neck Calliet exercise
Neck Calliet exercise

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Pain Intensity Pain Intensity Pain intensity
Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Change in neck pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), measured before and after 4 weeks of intervention.
Baseline and 4 weeks
Functional Disability
Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Functional disability was evaluated using the Neck Disability Index (NDI) at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment.
Baseline and 4 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Cervical Range of Motion
Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Cervical range of motion (flexion, extension, rotation, lateral flexion) was measured using a universal goniometer pre- and post-intervention to assess changes in mobility.
Baseline and 4 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Faisalabad

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Dr. Tanveer Ahmad, HOD Surgery, The University of Faisalabad

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
August 15, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
September 30, 2025

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
September 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
August 17, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 22, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 24, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 12, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 11, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • MET_Calliet_NeckPain_Nurses

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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