Effects of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Sensory Motor Mismatch in Text Neck Syndrome.

July 16, 2026 updated by: Riphah International University
Text Neck Syndrome is increasingly common in young adults due to prolonged smartphone use and is linked to postural changes and impaired sensorimotor control. Although its effects on visual-vestibular integration, balance, and proprioception are still unknown, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) may improve neuromuscular function by enhancing afferent input and mechanoreceptor stimulation. This study investigates whether IASTM can improve sensorimotor processing in individuals with Text Neck Syndrome.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study aims to bridge that gap by investigating whether mechanical soft tissue stimulation can influence sensorimotor processing, balance and proprioception in individuals with Text Neck Syndrome. The study design used for this literature would be Randomized Control Trial, consisting of two groups; Experimental group (IASTM) & Control group (conventional treatment). Study sample is 66 participants meeting the inclusion criteria chosen according to non-probability convenient sampling. 33 participants will be to each of the control and interventional group. IASTM is applied using stainless steel Garston tools along with the conventional therapy for experimental group while control group will be given conventional therapy only. Two sessions will be given per week and total eight sessions will be given over the period of one month. And results will be recorded at the base level, at fourth session and then at 8th session for both groups.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

66

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 Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab Province
      • Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, Pakistan

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:

  • Adults aged 18-30
  • Using the phone or computer for 3 h or more per day.

  • The presence of 3 out of the following 6 symptoms:

    1. Neck pain (recurrent history of neck pain in the previous 4 months, a pain level greater than or equal to 4/10 on the NPRS (moderate pain))
    2. Upper back pain,
    3. Shoulder pain,
    4. Headache (tension type headache due to tension in sub-occipitals)
    5. Insomnia
    6. Tingling and numbness in the upper limbs
  • Cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) <48-50° on digital photogrammetry
  • Individuals having sensory-motor mismatch (positive Fukuda test:>45° degrees, abnormal dynamic visual acuity, positive cervical JPE>4.5°)
  • Voluntary participation

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of cervical spine surgery, trauma, or fracture
  • Any diagnosed neurological disorders (cervical radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, etc.)
  • Any diagnosed MSK related issue (torticollis, scoliosis, diagnosed disc prolapse, stenosis, herniation, spondylolisthesis, osteoporosis, etc.)

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: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Experimental: IASTM + Conventional Physiotherapy
Participants will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in addition to conventional physiotherapy. IASTM will be applied to the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital muscles, and cervical extensors using stainless steel instruments. Conventional therapy will include cervical isometric exercises, deep cervical flexor activation, scapular strengthening exercises, stretching exercises, thoracic extension exercises, and postural re-education. Treatment will be administered twice weekly for 4 weeks (8 sessions total).
Other: IASTM + Conventional Physiotherapy
Participants will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in addition to conventional physiotherapy. IASTM will be applied to the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital muscles, and cervical extensors using stainless steel instruments. Conventional therapy will include cervical isometric exercises, deep cervical flexor activation, scapular strengthening exercises, stretching exercises, thoracic extension exercises, and postural re-education. Treatment will be administered twice weekly for 4 weeks (8 sessions total).
Active Comparator: Conventional Physiotherapy (Exercise-based) (control group)
Participants will receive conventional physiotherapy consisting of cervical isometric strengthening exercises, deep cervical flexor activation exercises, scapular strengthening exercises, stretching exercises, thoracic extension exercises, and postural re-education. Treatment will be administered twice weekly for 4 weeks (8 sessions total).
Other: Conventional Physiotherapy (Exercise-based) (control group)
Participants will receive conventional physiotherapy consisting of cervical isometric strengthening exercises, deep cervical flexor activation exercises, scapular strengthening exercises, stretching exercises, thoracic extension exercises, and postural re-education. Treatment will be administered twice weekly for 4 weeks (8 sessions total).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Fukuda stepping test - vestibular deviation
Time Frame: 4 weeks
• Evaluates vestibulospinal reflex integrity by observing angular deviation during stepping in place with eyes closed. It indicates asymmetry in vestibular or sensory motor control. The FST is based on vestibulospinal reflex and widely used for evaluation of labyrinthine function. The significant displacement or rotation (more than 45°) is considered abnormal and suggest a vestibular imbalance.
4 weeks
Dynamic visual acuity test
Time Frame: 4 weeks
● Assesses visual vestibular interaction by measuring visual acuity during active head movement. It detects gaze instability caused by impaired vestibulo- ocular reflex (VOR) and sensory-motor mismatch. A difference of two or more lines on eye-chart than seen in static visual acuity is considered abnormal.
4 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Cervical Joint Position Error (JPE) Test
Time Frame: 4 weeks
A clinical test used to assess cervical proprioceptive accuracy by measuring a person's ability to relocate their head to a neutral position after active neck movement. It quantifies repositioning errors that may result from altered cervical joint and muscle spindle function, commonly seen in neck pain and after muscle fatigue. The deviation of 7.1 cm is equivalent to 4.5° thus, the joint position error of greater than 4.5° is considered as positive.
4 weeks
Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
Time Frame: 4 weeks
A 14-item observational tool called the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is used to evaluate both static and dynamic balance while doing functional tasks. Its overall score is 56, where a score of less than 45 indicates a higher danger of falling.
4 weeks
Universal Goniometer
Time Frame: 4 weeks
A manual instrument used to assess active cervical spine range of motion (flexion, extension, rotation, and side-bending). It provides quantitative data for cervical mobility changes.
4 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Riphah International University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Ramsha Tariq, MS OMPT, Riphah International 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

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 (Estimated)

July 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 25, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 16, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 16, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 21, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 21, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 16, 2026

Last Verified

July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • RCRAHS-ISB/REC/MS-PT/02433

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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