Shoulder–pelvis PNF exercises versus suboccipital release for chronic neck pain with tight hamstrings
Symmetrical Scapula-pelvis Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation and Superficial Back Line in Chronic Neck Pain With Hamstring Tightness
This project will test whether a shoulder-to-pelvis PNF exercise program helps 18–40-year-olds with chronic neck pain and tight hamstrings more than suboccipital muscle release combined with hamstring stretching.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 156 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Karachi Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Karachi, Sindh) |
| Trial ID | NCT07332845 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–40 with chronic neck pain (>3 months) and measurable hamstring tightness who have not had spinal surgery and have no progressive neurological deficits are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with neck pain from specific pathology, radiculopathy or myelopathy, prior spinal surgery or epidural injections, traumatic spinal cord injury, or progressive neurological deficit are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the PNF approach could reduce neck pain and disability while improving neck mobility and hamstring flexibility.
How similar studies have performed: Previous smaller trials of PNF and manual-release techniques have shown modest gains in neck pain and flexibility, but direct comparisons of these exact protocols are limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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 this trial is running
Karachi, Sindh
- 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
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.