Comparing muscle-specific and movement-specific muscle energy techniques to improve neck strength and endurance

Effects of Muscle Specific as Compared to Movement Specific Muscle Energy Technique on Isometric Muscle Strength and Muscular Endurance in Individuals With Mechanical Neck Pain

This project will try two muscle energy techniques to see which one better reduces pain and improves neck muscle strength and endurance in adults with mechanical neck pain aged 19–44.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Ages: 19 Years to 44 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Foundation University Islamabad (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Islamabad, Punjab Province)
• Trial ID: NCT07329478 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial will enroll 30 adults with mechanical neck pain and randomly assign them to either movement-specific MET or muscle-specific MET. Both groups receive a standard protocol including TENS and a hot pack for 10 minutes before each session and will attend five treatment sessions. Outcomes measured before and after the intervention include pain (VAS), isometric muscle strength using a Modified Sphygmomanometer Dynamometer, and cranio-cervical flexion/extension endurance tests. Participants with fractures, prior neck surgery, radiculopathy, inflammatory or vascular disorders are excluded from participation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 19–44 with mechanical neck pain, limited cervical motion, and moderate pain (VAS 40–80 mm) who do not have fractures, prior neck surgery, neurologic compression, inflammatory disease, or vascular syndromes.

Not a fit: Patients with prior cervical fracture, surgery or trauma, thoracic outlet syndrome, cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy, inflammatory or malignant disease, vascular insufficiency, or other excluded conditions (or those outside the 19–44 age range) are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from these specific interventions.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify a simple, low-cost manual approach that better reduces neck pain and improves muscle strength and endurance, helping patients regain function more quickly.

How similar studies have performed: Previous physiotherapy research shows MET can reduce neck pain and improve mobility and function, but direct head-to-head comparisons between movement-specific and muscle-specific MET are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

* Age 19-44 years.
* Both Genders (Male and Female).
* Limitation on cervical motion
* Pain ranging from 40-80 mm on visual analogue scale (VAS)

Exclusion criteria

* Participants with a positive history of fracture, surgery or trauma in the neck region, thoracic outlet syndrome, infection, any malignancy.
* Vascular syndromes such as vertebrobasilar insufficiency.
* Inflammatory, or rheumatic disorders, cervical radiculopathy, myelopathy, spondylosis, or syringomyelia.

Where this trial is running

Islamabad, Punjab Province

• Foundation University Islamabad — Islamabad, Punjab Province, Pakistan (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Zaib ul Hassan, DPT

Conditions: Neck Pain, muscle strength, Movement Specific Muscle Energy Technique, Muscle Specific Muscle Energy Technique