Shoulder–pelvis PNF exercises versus suboccipital release for chronic neck pain with tight hamstrings

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized interventional study in Karachi will enroll 156 participants aged 18–40 with chronic neck pain and hamstring tightness and randomly assign them to two groups of 78. The experimental group will receive symmetrical scapula–pelvis PNF (PNF-SSPP) exercises while the control group will receive suboccipital muscle inhibition (SMI) plus static hamstring stretching. Outcomes — including pain, disability, neck range of motion, hamstring tightness, head posture, and levator scapulae index — will be measured before treatment, after the first session, and after the 18th session by an independent blinded assessor. Data will be analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA with an allowance for up to 20% dropout.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Individual with both male and female gender
* Individuals with chronic neck pain (pain for \> 3 month) with hamstring tightness

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any history related to spinal surgery
* Previous administration of epidural injections
* Neck pain due to specific pathology
* Patients with radiculopathy or myelopathy
* Traumatic spinal cord injury
* Neck pain associated with progressive neurological deficit or loss of strength

Where it's running

• Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Aftab Ahmed Mirza Baig, PhD — University of Karach
• Study coordinator: Aftab Ahmed Mirza Baig, PhD
• Email: ab.dptrm@gmail.com
• Phone: +923002739920

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.