Myofascial release for neck pain and posture in university students with text neck

Effect of Myofascial Release Therapy on Neck Pain, Perceived Stress and Forward Head Posture in University Students With Text Neck Syndrome.

This trial will test whether myofascial release therapy can reduce neck pain, improve forward head posture, and lower perceived stress in university students who use handheld devices three or more hours daily.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 62 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 30 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Health Sciences Lahore (Academic / other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Lahore, Punjab Province and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT07444112 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a randomized controlled trial that will assign eligible university students with text neck to either a myofascial release therapy group or a control group receiving conventional physiotherapy (postural correction and structured stretching). The intervention will be delivered three times per week for four weeks with outcome measures recorded at baseline and immediately post-intervention. Primary outcomes include neck pain (VAS), neck-related disability (NDI), craniovertebral angle measured via Kinovea software for posture, and perceived stress (PSS-10). Between-group and within-group comparisons will be performed to determine relative short-term effectiveness.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are university students aged 18–30 with forward head posture (craniovertebral angle < 50°), VAS pain ≥ 3/10, NDI > 10%, PSS-10 > 14, and at least three hours per day of handheld device use who are not receiving other cervical treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with prior cervical trauma or surgery, congenital spine deformity, diagnosed cervical degenerative disease or disc herniation, neurological or major psychiatric disorders, or those currently on physical therapy or muscle relaxants/painkillers are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the therapy could offer a simple, non-invasive way to reduce neck pain, improve head posture, and decrease stress related to prolonged device use.

How similar studies have performed: Previous smaller trials and manual-therapy studies have reported modest, short-term benefits of myofascial and other hands-on techniques for mechanical neck pain, but high-quality, consistent evidence is still limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* 1\. university students from age group of 18-30 2. Both genders 3. Students with Text Neck Syndrome diagnosed via Forward head Posture (through measuring craniovertebral angle) \<50° 4. Minimum Pain measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ≥ 3/10 5. Pain Intensity measured through Neck Disability Index (NDI \> 10%) 6. A PSS-10 Score of \>14 in individuals with daily gadget use and FHP. 7. Usage of handheld digital gadgets including smartphones and tablets ≥ 3 hours

Exclusion Criteria:

* 1\. History of cervical trauma, surgery or any spine deformity which is congenital 2. History of diagnosed cervical disorders i.e cervical spondylosis, cervical spondylolisthesis, disc herniation 3. Any diagnosed neurological condition which affects cognition or any previous cervical spine surgery 4. Any history of diagnosed anxiety and psychiatric conditions 5. Currently receiving any form of physical therapy or using any muscle relaxants or painkillers

Where this trial is running

Lahore, Punjab Province and 1 other locations

• Zara Zahid — Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan (Recruiting)
• Dr. Wajeeha Mahmood — Lahore, Pakistan (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Zara Zahid, Doctor of Physical Therapy — University of Health Sciences Lahore
• Study coordinator: Zara Zahid, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Conditions Text Neck Syndrome; text neck syndrome; neck pain; forward head posture; perceived stress; myofascial release therapy; randomized controlled trial