Effectiveness of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) Versus Stretching Exercises In Acute And Subacute Postural Neck Pain

Effectiveness of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) Versus Stretching Exercises In Acute And Subacute Postural Neck Pain. A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study will provide better evidence that which technique is more effective in acute and subacute postural neck pain. To find out the effectiveness of Muscle energy technique (MET) and stretching exercises in acute and subacute postural neck pain.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Cervical Pain
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Muscle Energy Technique; Other: Stretching Exercises

Detailed Description

Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial Study Setting: The study will be conducted at the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.

Intervention: This study will identify effects of two intervention approaches. The Experimental group consists of muscle energy technique (MET) for upper trapezius and levetor scapulae muscle of neck. The Control group will receive a stretching exercises program for upper trapezius and levetor scapulae muscle of neck.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Sindh
    • Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
      • Nida Naqi

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Targeted population: Students of MBBS, Pharmacy and Doctor of physical therapy.
• Age between 18 and 30 years
• Patient having acute or subacute postural neck pain
• Acute postural neck pain should not last longer than 4weeks
• Subacute postural neck pain should not last longer than 4-12 weeks.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cervicogenic headaches
• Musculoskeletal disorders involve the nerve root compression, i.e.; (Intervertebral disc dysfunction and derangement syndrome)
• Whiplash associated disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Spinal cord injury
• Neurological disorders i.e.; (Multiple sclerosis, Young Parkinsonism etc.)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Group A; Muscle energy technique (MET)	Other: Muscle Energy Technique; Muscle energy technique (MET) for upper trapezius and levetor scapulae muscle of neck with 7 to 10 second hold, 3 to 5 repetitions. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) with Cold pack. Home exercise program (HEP) will receive by both the groups which will be not supervised by the principal investigator or any other investigator.
Active Comparator: Group B; Stretching exercise program	Other: Stretching Exercises; Stretching exercises program for upper trapezius and levetor scapulae muscle of neck with 10 second hold, 15 repetitions. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) with Cold pack. Home exercise program (HEP) will receive by both the groups which will be not supervised by the principal investigator or any other investigator.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Visual Analog Scale	The pain intensity is measured subjectively on a scale of 0 to 10 cm, where '0 cm' indicates the absence of pain and '10 cm' signifies excruciating pain. Increasing in score suggests worst pain intensity.	03 weeks (1st, 8th, 15th, 21st day)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Dow University of Health Sciences
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: NIDA NAQI, MSAPT, Dow University of Health Sciences

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Downie WW, Leatham PA, Rhind VM, Wright V, Branco JA, Anderson JA. Studies with pain rating scales. Ann Rheum Dis. 1978 Aug;37(4):378-81. doi: 10.1136/ard.37.4.378.
• Hoy DG, Protani M, De R, Buchbinder R. The epidemiology of neck pain. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2010 Dec;24(6):783-92. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2011.01.019.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 13, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 26, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): November 26, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 6, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 22, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): January 24, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): December 13, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 10, 2024
• Last Verified: December 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Visual analog scale; Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF); Static stretching exercises
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Neck Pain
• Other Study ID Numbers: NNaqi

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No