SNAGs plus CBT to reduce neck pain and improve posture and function

Effects of SNAGs and Cognitive Behavior Therapy on Pain, Craniovertebral Angle and Disability in Patients With Non-Specific Neck Pain

This trial tests whether adding cognitive behavioral therapy to hands-on SNAGs treatment helps adults with non-specific neck pain have less pain, better neck posture (craniovertebral angle), and improved daily function.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 32 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 28 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Riphah International University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Faisalabad, Punjab Province)
• Trial ID: NCT06996015 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial enrolls adults with non-specific neck pain and assigns them to two groups receiving standardized conservative care. Both groups get a 5-minute hot pack, 5 minutes of myofascial release, and 10 minutes of Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides (SNAGs); one group additionally receives 20 minutes of CBT while the other receives 20 minutes of cervical stabilization exercises. Interventions are delivered twice weekly for four weeks. Outcomes measured at baseline and after the intervention include pain intensity, craniovertebral angle, and disability, with statistical analysis performed using SPSS.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–28 with non-specific neck pain, a craniovertebral angle less than 53 degrees, grade 2 KNGF neck pain localized between C3–C7, no neck treatment in the prior 3 months, and willingness to provide written consent.

Not a fit: Patients with prior spinal surgery, nerve root compression or severe radiculopathy, a positive vertebrobasilar artery test, inflammatory spinal disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis), fracture or tumor, osteoporosis/osteopenia, or long-term corticosteroid or anticoagulant use are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce pain, improve neck posture, and decrease disability in young adults with non-specific neck pain.

How similar studies have performed: Some prior trials combining manual therapy with cognitive behavioral approaches or exercise for chronic musculoskeletal pain have shown benefit, but direct evidence specifically for SNAGs plus CBT in non-specific neck pain is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age group: 18-28 Years(20)
* Gender Group: Both male and female participants(20)
* Individuals with a Craniovertebral angle \<53(20)
* Individuals having grade 2 neck pain according to KNGF Guidelines.(21)
* Individuals having localized pain or stiffness in spine or both combined between C3 and C7 without upper-limb radiculopathy(22)
* Individual who had not received any treatment for neck pain for the last 3 months will be included in the study.
* Patients willing to sign written consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Those who had undergone spinal surgery(23)
* Neck pain caused by various pathologies (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, fracture, tumor, etc.)(23)
* Nerve root compression, (23)
* A positive vertebrobasilar artery test, (23)
* Severe radiculopathy,(23)
* Osteoporosis, or osteopenia(23)
* Long-term use of corticosteroids or anticoagulants (23)

Where this trial is running

Faisalabad, Punjab Province

• Syeda Khatoon e Jannat Trust Hospital, — Faisalabad, Punjab Province, Pakistan (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Hira Shaukat, TDPT — Riphah International University
• Study coordinator: Imran Amjad, pHD

Conditions: Neck Pain, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Cervicalgia, Posture, Posterior Neck Pain, Neck Pain and Forward Head Posture, snags, Non-Specific Neck Pain