Effects of Scapular Stabilization Exercises Combined With Post Facilitation Stretch in Patients With Upper Cross Syndrome: A Randomized Control Trial

Upper Cross Syndrome is characterized by the postural deviation of head , neck , shoulders and altered muscular muscular activation which included weakness of rhomboids , middle and lower trapezius and serratus anterior and tightness of upper trapezius , pectorallis and levator scapulae . It is a combinaton of scapular dyskinesia , forward head posture , rounded shoulder and thoracic kyphosis.This study aims to assess the enduring effects scapular stabilization exercises along with post facilitation stretch on Upper Cross Syndrome with the goal of preventing its reoccurrence over time, If there are improved results by the combination of both treatments than any of them alone , then it can used in combination for better results on patients

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Upper Cross Syndrome
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Electrotherapy and physical agents; Procedure: Post Facilitation Stretch; Procedure: Scapular Stabilization Exercise

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

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab
    • Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan, 46000
      • Foundation University College of Physical Therapy

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria

• Aged 18 to 45 with neck pain for more than 3 months
• Both genders males and females
• NPRS scoring of greater than or equal to 4 points
• No History of serious pathology or recent neck trauma
• Diagnosed Upper Cross Syndrome cases using Janda approach

Exclusion Criteria

• Known Scapular or shoulder pathology
• Cervical and thoracic fractures , dislocations or surgeries or whiplash injury

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Post Facilitation Stretch Group; Treatment protocol given to both groups will be carried out for 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. It will comprise of hot pack for 10 minutes, Tens for 10 minutes. Participants will be instructed to maintain the contraction for 6 to 10 seconds and then relax the muscles as quickly as possible.The stretch will be held for 15 seconds in an attempt to lengthen the shortened facscial structures.The muscles which will be targeted are Levator Scapular Upper Trapezius Sternocleidomastoid scalene Pectoralis Muscles	Procedure: Electrotherapy and physical agents; It will comprise of hot pack for 10 minutes, Tens for 10 minutes.; Procedure: Post Facilitation Stretch; Participants will be instructed to maintain the contraction for 6 to 10 seconds and then relax the muscles as quickly as possible.The stretch will be held for 15 seconds in an attempt to lengthen the shortened facscial structures.The muscles which will be targeted are Levator Scapular Upper Trapezius Sternocleidomastoid scalene Pectoralis Muscles
Experimental: Stabilization Exercises along with the PFS Group; It will comprise of hot pack for 10 minutes, Tens for 10 minutes. Participants will be instructed to maintain the contraction for 6 to 10 seconds and then relax the muscles as quickly as possible.The stretch will be held for 15 seconds in an attempt to lengthen the shortened facscial structures.The muscles which will be targeted are Levator Scapular Upper Trapezius Sternocleidomastoid scalene Pectoralis Muscles Scapular Stabilization exercises protocol will be carried out in 4 weeks , 3 sessions per week. Scapular wall slide exercise will be carried out with body weight .Scapular retraction with body weight. Wall Ball Circle exercise with body weight for the first two weeks and then with dumbbells for the next two weeks. Scapular Squeeze again with the body weight and dumbbells. Wall press ups will be performed. Post Facilitation stretch of the targeted muscles also will be carried out during the sessions	Procedure: Electrotherapy and physical agents; It will comprise of hot pack for 10 minutes, Tens for 10 minutes.; Procedure: Post Facilitation Stretch; Participants will be instructed to maintain the contraction for 6 to 10 seconds and then relax the muscles as quickly as possible.The stretch will be held for 15 seconds in an attempt to lengthen the shortened facscial structures.The muscles which will be targeted are Levator Scapular Upper Trapezius Sternocleidomastoid scalene Pectoralis Muscles; Procedure: Scapular Stabilization Exercise; Scapular Stabilization exercises protocol will consist of scapular wall slide exercise, scapular retraction, wall Ball Circle exercises, scapula squeeze, wall press ups. Exercise program 3 sets of 5 - 10 repetition for 10 seconds hold a 20 second break between each sets. The intervention will be applied 2 weeks 3 times a week and 30 min per session. Post Facilitation stretch of the targeted muscles also will be carried out during the sessions

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
pain intensity	Measured with Numeric Pain Rating Scale	4 weeks
Neck Disability	Neck disability index is used for assessing self-rated disability in neck pain patients	4 weeks
Cervical Range of Motion	Goniometer will be used to measure Cervical Range of Motion	4 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Foundation University Islamabad

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 10, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 10, 2024
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 30, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 30, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 30, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): August 2, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 2, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 30, 2024
• Last Verified: July 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Disease; Syndrome
• Other Study ID Numbers: FUI/CTR/2024/19

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No