Thoracic Thrust With Cervical Non-Thrust Mobilization in Mechanical Neck Pain

This study is a randomised controlled trial and the purpose of this study is to determine the effects of thoracic thrust with cervical non-thrust mobilization in mechanical neck pain on components such as pain, thoracic range of motion, kyphotic angle, craniovertebral angle and proprioception.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Group A:Thoracic thrust; Procedure: Group B: Cervical non thrust mobilization

Detailed Description

Particiapants will be divided into two groups through coin toss method, one group will recieve thoracic manipulation as addition to cervical mobilization and therapeutic exercises.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 46
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Ayesha Aslam; Phone Number: 03348648229; Email: ayeshaaslam6@gmail.com
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Quratulain Saeed, MS-OMPT; Phone Number: 03315562889; Email: quratulain.saeed@fui.edu.pk

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab Province
    • Islamabad, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 46000
      • Recruiting
      • Foundation University College of Physical Therapy
      • Contact: Ayesha Aslam, DPT; Phone Number: 03348648229; Email: ayeshaaslam6@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion criteria:

• Both male and female
• Age: 20-40 years
• Numeric pain rating scale (3<) (13)
• Neck pain for more than 3 months
• Cervical hypomobility (C2-C7)
• Thoracic hypomobility (T1-T6)
• CranioVertebral Angle < 48 Degrees

Exclusion criteria:

• Serious pathology (e.g. neoplasm, fracture)
• History of whiplash injury within the past 6 months
• Cervical spinal stenosis
• Radiculopathy
• Neurological deficit
• Structural deformities
• Vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency
• Pregnancy
• Prior surgery of cervical or thoracic spine

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; thoracic thrust; thoracic thrust in addition to standard treatment	Procedure: Group A:Thoracic thrust; Group A will receive manipulation protocol as addition to standard treatment. Manipulation protocol: High velocity, low amplitude as described by Maitland on thoracic hypomobile segments (T1-6) Therapeutic exercise protocol: Cervical and thoracic mobility exercises.
Active Comparator: Group B: cervical non-thrust mobilization; standard treatment of cervical non-thrust mobilization and home-based therapeutic exercises	Procedure: Group B: Cervical non thrust mobilization; Intervention: Group B will receive mobilization, post-facilitation stretch and exercise protocol. Mobilization protocol: Grade III or IV mobilization as described by Maitland on cervical Hypomobile segments (C2-7) Therapeutic exercise protocol: Cervical and thoracic mobility exercises.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pain Intensity	Pain will be assessed by Numeric pain scale rating (NPRS).It is numeric 11-point scale, with 0 meaning no pain and 10 being worst pain.	baseline, 1st and 2nd week
Thoracic kyphosis	Thoracic Kyphosis is measured by Inclinometer. It is measured via summation of angles of two inclinometers, placed on anatomical landmarks (T1-3-12).	baseline, 1st week and 2nd week
Thoracic Range of Motion	Thoracic ROM (rotation) is measured by Inclinometer. Measured by placing the inclinometer at T1 segment with participant in a lumbar locked position.	baseline, 1st week, 2nd week
Craniovertebral angle	Craniovertebral angle (CVA)is measured by Goniometer. it is Angle measured between tragus of ear and C7 spinous process.	baseline,1st week, 2nd week
Proprioception	Proprioception is measured by Joint position sense/ error test. Participant wears a laser mounted headband and performs active neck movements with eyes closed on a target.	baseline, 1st and 2nd week

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Foundation University Islamabad

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 25, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 30, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 26, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 26, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): January 8, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 8, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 26, 2025
• Last Verified: December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: neck pain; chronic neck pain; mechanical neck pain
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Neck Pain
• Other Study ID Numbers: FUI/CTR/2025/23

Drug and device information, study documents

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