Upper Cross Syndrome and Neck Proprioception

Correlation Between Upper Cross Syndrome and Neck Proprioception

Correlation Between Upper Cross Syndrome and Neck Proprioception

Hypothesis:

No statistically significant relationship exists between upper cross syndrome and neck proprioception.

Study Design:

Randomized Controlled Trial

Participants:

Office workers (≥4h computer use/day) Age: 28-48 years Chronic nonspecific neck pain (>3 months) Forward head posture (FHP) <46° VAS score: 3-8 cm No cognitive impairments affecting participation

Exclusion Criteria:

Systemic, rheumatic, or neuromuscular diseases Neurological signs, spinal surgery, or recent physical therapy Missing ≥3 consecutive or 4 nonconsecutive sessions

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Upper Cross Syndrome
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Intervention Group

Detailed Description

Study Title:Correlation Between Upper Cross Syndrome and Neck Proprioception

Hypothesis:There will be no statistically significant relationship between upper cross syndrome and neck proprioception.

Methodology:

Study Design:Randomized controlled trial

Inclusion Criteria:

Office workers using a computer for at least 4 hours daily

Aged between 28 and 48 years

Neck pain (NP) between 3 and 8 cm on a visual analog scale (VAS) (0 = no pain, 10 = unbearable pain)

Chronic nonspecific neck pain lasting for more than 3 months

Forward head posture (FHP) less than 46°

Patients willing and able to participate in an exercise program safely without cognitive impairments that would limit participation

Exclusion Criteria:

Specific causes of NP (e.g., systemic, rheumatic, neuromuscular diseases)

Central or peripheral neurological signs

Cognitive impairment

History of spinal surgery

Physical therapy treatments in the last 6 months prior to baseline assessment

Participants missing at least three consecutive or four nonconsecutive sessions

Outcome Measures:

Spinal Curvature Assessment Using Spinal Mouse DeviceThe spinal mouse device is physically guided along the skin of the spine

Neck Pain MeasurementNP is evaluated using a 10-cm VAS, a widely used clinical tool for assessing pain treatment effectiveness.

Neck Disability Index (NDI)Disability is assessed using the NDI questionnaire.

Measurement of Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) Using a CROM

Assessment of Cervical Proprioception Using the CROM DeviceHead Reposition Accuracy Tests:

Neutral Head Position (NHP) Test: Measures the ability to actively reposition the head to the self-selected neutral position.

Target Head Position (THP) Test: Measures the ability to actively reposition the head to a previously demonstrated target position.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 80

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Elsayed; Phone Number: +20 100 219 5353; Email: omniaomniamohamed259@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of adult office workers with specific characteristics related to their occupation, posture, and neck pain history. Below is a detailed breakdown:

Demographic Characteristics

Age Range: 28-48 years. Gender: Not specified, but likely includes both males and females. Occupation: Office workers using computers for at least 4 hours daily.

Clinical Characteristics

Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain (CNP):

Pain lasting ≥3 months. Pain intensity between 3-8 cm on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Forward Head Posture (FHP):

Measured angle of FHP is less than 46°.

No Specific Diagnoses:

Participants with neck pain due to systemic, rheumatic, or neuromuscular diseases are excluded.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• office workers (using a computer at least 4 h),

  • aged between 28 and 48 years,
  • NP between 3 and 8 cm on a visual analog scale (VAS) (from 0 indicating no pain at all to 10 indicating unbearable pain),
  • chronic nonspecific neck pain lasting for more than 3 months, and FHP less than 46° (Fathollahnejad et al., 2019).
  • Patients willing and able to participate in an exercise program safely and without cognitive impairments that would limit their participation.

Exclusion Criteria:

• specific causes of NP (e.g., systemic, rheumatic, neuromuscular diseases), central or peripheral neurological signs, cognitive impairment, spinal surgery, or physical therapy treatments in the last 6 months prior to the baseline assessment.
• Participants would be also excluded if they missed at least three consecutive or four nonconsecutive sessions (Fathollahnejad et al., 2019).

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
control group; Participants with UCS who do not receive the intervention (e.g., may receive standard care, education, or no treatment).	Other: Intervention Group; Group/Cohort Description: Participants with Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS) who undergo the prescribed exercise or treatment protocol.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Cervical Proprioception:	Measurement Tool: CROM device. Tests: Neutral Head Position (NHP): Assesses participants' ability to actively reposition their head to a self-selected neutral position. Target Head Position (THP): Assesses ability to reposition the head to a previously demonstrated target position.	8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Balance	Measurement Tool: Biodex Balance System. Parameters: Static and dynamic balance. Postural stability score (lower scores indicate better balance). Purpose: Explore the effect of UCS on overall balance and stability.	8 weeks
Neck Disability Index (NDI):	Measurement Tool: NDI questionnaire. Purpose: Assess the impact of neck pain on daily activities and functional limitations.	8 weeks
Cervical Range of Motion (CROM)	Measurement Tool: CROM device. Purpose: Measure the range of motion in the cervical spine to detect restrictions due to UCS.	8 weeks
Neck Pain	Measurement Tool: Visual Analog Scale (10-cm scale) Purpose: Evaluate participants' subjective pain levels before and after the intervention. Scale Range: 0 (no pain) to 10 (unbearable pain). Interpretation: Higher scores indicate worse pain levels.	8 weeks

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Spinal Curvature:	Measurement Tool: Spinal Mouse Device. Parameters: Sagittal plane alignment in neutral, flexion, and extension. Purpose: Assess structural changes or adaptations in the spine due to UCS.	8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Cairo University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): May 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 25, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 25, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 25, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 25, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 29, 2025
• Last Verified: January 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: proprioception; neck; upper cross syndrome
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Disease; Syndrome
• Other Study ID Numbers: P.T.REC/012/005030

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