Effects of Manual IC With and Without SCS on SCM Tightness With FHP

October 30, 2023 updated by: Riphah International University

Effects of Manual Ischemic Compression With and Without Strain Counter Strain Technique on Sternocleidomastoid Tightness With Forward Head Posture

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of Manual Ischemic Compression with and without Strain Counterstrain technique on CVA, ROM, pain and disability among FHP individuals with SCM tightness.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Forward head posture is defined by excessive extension at upper cervical spine(C1-C3) and flexion at lower cervical spine (C4-C7) that increases cranial rotation angle and decreases craniovertebral angle (CVA) because of the altered relative position of the head with respect to the line of gravity. The bubble inclinometer is a gravity-based tool used to measure the cervical range of motion and to assess SCM muscle length. FHP also leads to muscles imbalance and SCM tightness as well. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) are most frequently used to quantify pain intensity and NDI for neck disability.

A RCT study compare the effects of IC and SCS in patients with upper trapezius trigger points. For four weeks, the therapy was given three days a week. As an outcome indicator, the NPRS, NDI, and cervical lateral flexion were used. The outcome measures were evaluated at baseline, after the second week, and after the fourth week: The ischemic compression and strain counterstrain intervention, which lasted for four weeks, significantly improved cervical range of motion, reduced pain intensity, and reduced cervical disability. However, the intergroup comparison revealed that both interventions were equally effective, and none of them outperformed the others.

Most of the studies compared digital ischemic compression as a common treatment with dry needling or other soft tissue mobilizations specially to treat trapezius trigger points but there are few studies specifically investigating comparative effects of Manual Ischemic Compression with and without Strain Counterstrain for management purpose of muscle tightness in individuals with FHP. While various treatment options exist for FHP, limited research directly compares the comparative outcomes of Strain Counterstrain and Ischemic Compression techniques. Due to lack of comparative evidence regarding the efficacy of these specific interventions, there is a need to bridge this gap by investigating and comparing the effectiveness of these interventions by using highly reliable and valid outcome measures in order to provide healthcare professionals and individuals with evidence-based guidance for optimal FHP management and SCM tightness.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

42

Phase

  • 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 Locations

    • Punjab
      • Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, 54000
        • Recruiting
        • Amina Physiotherapy and Rehab Center, Nusrat Rashid Medical Complex
        • Contact:
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Saba Rafique, Masters
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Maryam Asghar Butt, MS-OMPT

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

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Neck pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale >3)
  • Craniovertebral angle (CVA) less than 51
  • Shortened SCM muscle

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Neck pain with whiplash or headache, neurological disorder
  • History of previous head, neck, cervical spine or shoulder surgery
  • Infection or inflammatory arthritis in the cervical spine
  • History of cervical radiculopathy

    • Diagnosed fibromyalgia and myopathy
    • History of cancer

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
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Manual Ischemic Compression with Strain Counter Strain technique
Participants in this group will receive Manual Ischemic Compression with Strain Counter Strain technique.
The duration of intervention will be 6 weeks, 3 sessions a week, a total of 18 sessions will be given to the study participants. Each session will last for 30 to 45 minutes.
Active Comparator: Manual Ischemic Compression
Participants in this group will receive only Manual Ischemic Compression
The duration of intervention will be 6 weeks, 3 sessions a week, a total of 18 sessions will be given to the study participants. Each session will last for 30 to 45 minutes.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Numeric pain rating scale (NPRS)
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Changes from baseline Numeric pain rating scale is The 11-point scale used to capture the patient's level of pain. The scale is anchored on the left with the phrase ''no pain'' and on the right with the phrase ''worst imaginable pain.'' Patients rate their current level of pain and their worst and least amount of pain in the last 24 hours.
6 weeks
Neck disability index (NDI)
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Changes from baseline the NDI is a self-report questionnaire with 10 items: Pain intensity, personal care, lifting, work, headaches, concentration, sleeping, driving, reading and recreation. The response to each item is rated on a six-point scale from 0 (no disability) to 5 (complete disability). The numeric responses for each item are summed for a total score ranging between 0 and 50; however, some evaluators have chosen to multiply the raw score by 2 and then report the NDI on a 0-100% scale. Higher scores represent increased levels of related disability among the participants The maximum score is 50. In which 0 to 4 indicates no disability 5 to 14 = mild, 15 to 24 = moderate, 25 to 34 = severe and Above 34 = complete disability(57).
6 weeks
The bubble inclinometer
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Changes from baseline bubble inclinometer is a gravity-based tool used to measure the cervical range of motion and to assess SCM muscle length based on Kendall's description of muscle length testing principles in which the therapist maximally lengthens the muscle from origin to insertion by stabilizing one end, then slowly elongate the muscle, and then assess the end feel.
6 weeks
Craniovertebral angle (CVA)
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Changes from baseline To assess the head position of the subjects, the craniovertebral angle (CVA) was measured. 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. CVA angle less than 51 is considered as FHP.
6 weeks
Modified goniometer
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Changes from baseline the measurement of craniovertebral angle is from C7 spinous process to tragus of ear by modified goniometer. The craniovertebral angle can be assessed by using modified goniometer to get an accurate estimation of head posture. The modified goniometer was constructed by attaching a perpendicular rod at the fulcrum of half circle universal goniometer, posteriorly. .
6 weeks
Neck ROM
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Changes from baseline, neck ROM will be taken with the help of goniometer.
6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Saba Rafique, Masters, Riphah International University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

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)

May 8, 2023

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 8, 2023

Study Completion (Estimated)

January 8, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 25, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 30, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

October 31, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

October 31, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 30, 2023

Last Verified

October 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • REC/RCR & AHS/23/0147

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

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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