Myofascial Release With and Without Autogenic Inhibition Muscle Energy Technique in Non-specific Chronic Neck Pain

Effects of Myofascial Release With and Without Autogenic Inhibition Muscle Energy Technique in Patients With Non-specific Chronic Neck Pain

The study was conducted to determine the effects of myofascial release therapy with and without autogenic inhibition muscle energy technique in patients with non-specific chronic neck pain.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Non Specific Chronic Neck Pain
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Autogenic Inhibition Muscle Energy Technique; Other: Myofasical Release Therapy; Other: Standardized Physiotherapy Treatment

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 44
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab Province
    • Layyah, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 31200
      • Rehab Max Physio & Sports Injury Clinic

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Neck pain for at least 3 months
• Pain intensity on NPRS between 4 to 7
• Limited neck range of motion
• Use of computer for at least 2 hours daily
• Negative Sharp-Purser and alar ligaments test (to rule out atlantoaxial instability, integrity of transverse and alar ligaments)

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of trauma
• Cervical spine fracture
• Open neck surgery
• Cervical radiculopathy
• Paresthesia
• Cervical myelopathy
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Fibromyalgia
• Hemorrhage tendency and/or anticoagulation treatment
• Whiplash Injury

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Myofascial Release with Autogenic Inhibition Muscle Energy Technique	Other: Autogenic Inhibition Muscle Energy Technique; AI MET was applied for upper trapezius 5 times for each side, similarly for levator scapulae it was applied 5 times for each side. AI MET was applied for posterior, middle and anterior fibres of scalene muscle. For sternocleidomastoid muscle it was applied for at least twice for each side. 8 sessions were conducted for 6 weeks, with 3 sessions scheduled every week.; Other: Myofasical Release Therapy; MFR for upper trapezius and levator scapulae was carried out 5 times for each side. A total of 18 sessions were conducted for 6 weeks, with 3 sessions scheduled every week.; Other: Standardized Physiotherapy Treatment; Electric hot pack for 10 minutes for 10 minutes, TENS with frequency of 120Hz at low intensity having pulse duration of 50-200μs for 10 minutes & Grade I and II Maitland posteroanterior central glide with 3 sets of 30 oscillations, for alleviation of pain at the target vertebral segment.
Active Comparator: Myofascial Release Therapy	Other: Myofasical Release Therapy; MFR for upper trapezius and levator scapulae was carried out 5 times for each side. A total of 18 sessions were conducted for 6 weeks, with 3 sessions scheduled every week.; Other: Standardized Physiotherapy Treatment; Electric hot pack for 10 minutes for 10 minutes, TENS with frequency of 120Hz at low intensity having pulse duration of 50-200μs for 10 minutes & Grade I and II Maitland posteroanterior central glide with 3 sets of 30 oscillations, for alleviation of pain at the target vertebral segment.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Numeric Pain Rating Scale	Numeric Pain Rating Scale is utilized to evaluate pain. It consists of 11 points, having an overall score ranging from 0 and 10, where: 0 represents no pain, 1 - 3 represents mild pain, 4 - 6 represents moderate pain and 7 - 10 represents the most severe pain.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Neck Disability Index	Neck Disability Index is a questionnaire that has 10-questions for determining cervical pain and functional disability linked with the activities of daily living. It consists of questions on pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headaches, concentration, work, driving, sleeping and recreation. Scores in each item is described in 6 stages, from 0 to 5 points. The total of 0-4 points indicate no disability, 5-14 points indicate mild disability, 15-24 points indicate moderate disability, 25-34 points indicate severe disability and 35-50 points indicate complete disability	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
ROM Cervical Spine (Flexion)	Changes in cervical spine flexion ROM at baseline and 6th week of intervention was measured using goniometer.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
ROM Cervical Spine (Extension)	Changes in cervical spine extension ROM at baseline and 6th week of intervention was measured using goniometer.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
ROM Cervical Spine (Lateral Flexion) Left Side	Changes in cervical spine lateral flexion on left side ROM at baseline and 6th week of intervention was measured using goniometer.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
ROM Cervical Spine (Lateral Flexion) Right Side	Changes in cervical spine lateral flexion on right side ROM at baseline and 6th week of intervention was measured using goniometer.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
ROM Cervical Spine (Rotation) Left Side	Changes in cervical spine rotation on left side ROM at baseline and 6th week of intervention was measured using goniometer.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
ROM Cervical Spine (Rotation) Right	Changes in cervical spine rotation on right side ROM at baseline and 6th week of intervention was measured using goniometer.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Riphah International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Shakil ur Rehman, Ph.D, Riphah International University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 13, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 31, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): October 31, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 29, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 29, 2025
• First Posted (Estimated): January 12, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): January 12, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 29, 2025
• Last Verified: December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Chronic Neck Pain; Muscle Energy Technique; Myofascial Release Therapy; Neck Ache; Autogenic Inhibition Technique
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Neck Pain
• Other Study ID Numbers: REC/RCR & AHS/24/0178

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