Effect of Scapular Retraction Exercises Versus McKenzie Method on CVA

January 4, 2026 updated by: Heba Abubakr Mohamed Salama, Mansoura University

Craniovertebral Angle and Neck Disability Among University Students With Forward Head Posture: A Comparative Study of Scapular Retraction Exercises Versus McKenzie Method

The goal of this quasi-experimental study is to compare the effectiveness of scapular retraction exercises versus the McKenzie method in improving craniovertebral angle (CVA), reducing neck pain, and minimizing neck disability among university students exhibiting forward head posture. The main question[s] it aims to answer [is/are]:

  • Which of both exercises (scapular retraction or McKenzie method exercises) will be more effective in improvement craniovertebral alignment, alleviated pain, and decreased neck disability?

Group A performed scapular retraction exercises, while Group B practiced McKenzie method exercises. Both interventions were administered for 20 minutes, three times weekly over eight weeks.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

116

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 Locations

  • Egypt
      • Al Mansurah, Egypt
        • Faculty of nursing

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

  • Child
  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • University students with FHP
  • Able to participate in exercise programs
  • Free from severe musculoskeletal disorders or recent injuries

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Students with contraindication to exercise,
  • Individuals with neurological conditions affecting posture

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: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: 1
scapular retraction exercises
Procedure: Scapular Retraction Exercises (SRE)
Strengthen upper back muscles (scapular muscles, particularly the middle and lower trapezius and rhomboids) and improve posture.
Experimental: 2
McKenzie method exercises
Procedure: McKenzie Method Exercises
  • Aim: Focus on self-treatment for neck pain and posture.
  • Duration: 20 minutes, 3 times a week

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Craniovertebral Angle (CVA)
Time Frame: 8 weeks
The angle is formed at 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.
8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Mansoura University

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)

October 1, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 12, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

February 7, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

December 19, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 19, 2025

First Posted (Estimated)

January 5, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

January 6, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 4, 2026

Last Verified

January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Forward Head Posture 0686

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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