Progressive Muscle Relaxation Vs Muscle Energy Technique on Nonspecific Neck Pain in Prolonged Computer Users. (RCT)

January 6, 2026 updated by: Syeda Waniya Riaz, IQRA University

Progressive Muscle Relaxation Vs Muscle Energy Technique on Nonspecific Neck Pain in Prolonged Computer Users. A Randomized Controlled Trial

The objective of this randomized controlled trial is to assess the potential effectiveness of Progressive muscle relaxation technique (PMRT) vs Muscle energy technique (MET) as an intervention for releasing trigger points in SCM and upper trapezius in prolonged computer users. The study will be conducted in a workplace setting, where desk-type computer users are expected to regularly engage in their professional activities for ≥ 6 hours throughout the day, intermittently. This study will be conducted at the Outpatient Physiotherapy department of Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Karachi among 60 patients with nonspecific chronic neck pain on the basis of non-probability purposive sample technique. After taking informed consent, all participants will be randomly allocated into two groups through a investigator (blinded) the same investigator will be screening the individuals, doing baseline assessment, and post treatment assessment while another investigator will be providing intervention. Group 1 will receive Progressive muscle relaxation technique while Group 2 will receive Muscle Energy Technique on sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius bilaterally. Patients will also be blinded. A total of 12 sessions will be provided. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and post treatment after 2 weeks intervention.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

60

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 Contact Backup

  • Name: Aftab Ahmed Mirza Baig, PhD, MSAPT, DPT
  • Phone Number: +923002739920
  • Email: dr.aftab@iqra.edu.pk

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Sindh
      • Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, 74200
        • Recruiting
        • Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Iram Shamsi, PhD (scholar), MPhil, DPT

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:

  • Persons using computer more than 6 hours throughout the day, intermittently both genders.
  • Age between 20-45.
  • Hypertonicity of trapezius muscle and SCM muscle. Specifically, those workers have neck pain and stiffness (including trouble tilting or turning head). Patients who reported small tightening and spasm at the posterior aspect of their neck are included, also associated with more diffuse neck pain patterns that included the following: headache, (upper back, neck and shoulder pain) numbness/ tingling in the hand/arm.
  • Pain intensity of 2 on the NRS and presence of at least one latent trigger point in a taut band in the neck region.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Recent trauma to the cervical region
  • Exclusion criteria based on with any serious pathology such as specific neck pain due to disc prolapsed, tumor of cervical spine, whiplash injury, cervical fractures, Cervicogenic headache, and any neurological signs consistent with nerve root compression

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: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Group A (Intervention)
To start Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique with deep breathing, individuals will be trained to sit in a comfortable position with or without eyes opening. It will involve relaxing neck muscles through a two-step process. First, participants will be commanded to tense the particular SCM and upper trapezius muscle by active contraction along with deep breathing (deeply and slowly inhaling through the nose). Then, they will be commanded to squeeze the muscles as hard as they can, holding for 5-10 seconds, after that employees will be asked to relax the muscle for 10-15 seconds while relaxing the muscle employees will be asked to exhale slowly through the mouth (5 repetitions for each side). Intervention will be given for 30 minutes for 6 days a week for 2 weeks.
Other: Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is a relaxation technique that involves systematically tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in the body to reduce physical tension and stress. Developed by Edmund Jacobson in the 1930s, PMR aims to promote deep relaxation by increasing awareness of muscle tension and learning to release it. The technique is typically performed in a quiet environment, starting from the feet and progressing upward or vice versa. It is commonly used for stress management, pain relief, anxiety reduction, and improving overall well-being.
Active Comparator: Group B (Control)

Muscle Energy Technique with deep breathing

  • Trapezius Muscle: The therapist will position the patient supine, supporting the back of the patient's head with one hand and placing the other on the clavicle. The head will be bent forward, rotated, and bent toward the same side to test for flexibility, and then brought midway between the initial and fully rotated positions. The patient will breathe in, hold their breath, and perform isometric (20% of max force) while the therapist provides resistance for 6-7 seconds, followed by a stretch during exhalation, to be repeated 3-4 times.
  • Sternocleidomastoid Muscle: The patient will be supine with a cushion under the shoulder, tilting the head slightly back. The therapist will place one hand on the mastoid and the other on the sternum. The patient will rotate the head to the opposite side, lift it while holding breath while the therapist provides resistance for 6-7 second
Other: Muscle Energy Technique
Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is a manual therapy approach that uses the patient's voluntary muscle contractions against a controlled resistance provided by the therapist to improve musculoskeletal function. It is commonly used to lengthen shortened muscles, improve joint mobility, and reduce pain. MET works by engaging the target muscles in an isometric or isotonic contraction, followed by a relaxation phase, allowing for a greater stretch or repositioning of the joint. It is frequently used in physiotherapy for conditions such as muscle tightness, joint restrictions, and postural imbalances.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in pain on Numeric Rating Scale
Time Frame: Baseline and week 2
On a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable. Individuals will be asked to rate the pain. Increase in number suggests increase in pain and decrease in number suggests decrease in pain.
Baseline and week 2
Change in disability on the Neck Pain Disability Index Scale
Time Frame: Baseline and week 2
The questionnaire, consists of 10 sections with scores ranging from 0 to 5, has demonstrated validity and reliability. The percentage of disability score will be calculated, where item scores range from 0 (no limitation) to 5 (major activity limitation), and the total score is a sum of the item scores (possible range 0 (no pain) - 50 (maximal pain)). A score of less than 4 indicates no disability; 5-14 mild disability, 15-24 moderate disability and 25-34 severe disability. A score of above 35 indicate complete perceived disability. The patient will rate each section based on their level of difficulty due to neck pain. Increase in score suggests increase in disability and decrease in score suggests decrease in disability.
Baseline and week 2

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Range of Motion on the Goniometer
Time Frame: Baseline and week 2
A goniometer, a tool used to measure joint angles, is used to assess range of motion, which is the degree of movement a joint can achieve. Goniometry, the measurement of joint angles. Increase in scores suggests increase in range of motion.
Baseline and week 2
Change from baseline in head posture on plumb line
Time Frame: Baseline and week 2
A plumb line is a simple tool to check posture by comparing head and shoulder alignment. Landmarks: Mastoid process & auditory meatus (ear canal). Any forward head posture is noted if the tragus (ear) moves ahead of the plumb line. Measured in inches while standing or sitting. Increase in inches suggests increase and decrease suggests decrease in forward head posture.
Baseline and week 2

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

IQRA University

Collaborators

Dow University of Health Sciences
Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Syeda Waniya Riaz, PhD (scholar), MSAPT, DPT, IQRA 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

Helpful Links

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)

April 22, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

April 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

April 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 18, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 8, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

April 9, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

January 8, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 6, 2026

Last Verified

January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • IQRAU

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

The investigators will publish the results in academic journals. The study data will be shared through multiple channels. We aim to make our findings accessible to researchers and potential collaborators with an interest in physical medicine, rehabilitation, and chronic neck pain.

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.

Clinical Trials on Neck Pain

Clinical Trials on Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Hong Kong

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe