Effects of Manual IC With and Without SCS on SCM Tightness With FHP

Riphah International University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Neck Pain

Treatments: Other: Active Comparator: Manual Ischemic Compression; Other: Experimental: Manual Ischemic Compression with Strain Counter Strain technique

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06108882

REC/RCR & AHS/23/0147

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of Manual Ischemic Compression with and without Strain Counterstrain technique on CVA, ROM, pain and disability among FHP individuals with SCM tightness.

Full description

Forward head posture is defined by excessive extension at upper cervical spine(C1-C3) and flexion at lower cervical spine (C4-C7) that increases cranial rotation angle and decreases craniovertebral angle (CVA) because of the altered relative position of the head with respect to the line of gravity. The bubble inclinometer is a gravity-based tool used to measure the cervical range of motion and to assess SCM muscle length. FHP also leads to muscles imbalance and SCM tightness as well. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) are most frequently used to quantify pain intensity and NDI for neck disability.

A RCT study compare the effects of IC and SCS in patients with upper trapezius trigger points. For four weeks, the therapy was given three days a week. As an outcome indicator, the NPRS, NDI, and cervical lateral flexion were used. The outcome measures were evaluated at baseline, after the second week, and after the fourth week: The ischemic compression and strain counterstrain intervention, which lasted for four weeks, significantly improved cervical range of motion, reduced pain intensity, and reduced cervical disability. However, the intergroup comparison revealed that both interventions were equally effective, and none of them outperformed the others.

Most of the studies compared digital ischemic compression as a common treatment with dry needling or other soft tissue mobilizations specially to treat trapezius trigger points but there are few studies specifically investigating comparative effects of Manual Ischemic Compression with and without Strain Counterstrain for management purpose of muscle tightness in individuals with FHP. While various treatment options exist for FHP, limited research directly compares the comparative outcomes of Strain Counterstrain and Ischemic Compression techniques. Due to lack of comparative evidence regarding the efficacy of these specific interventions, there is a need to bridge this gap by investigating and comparing the effectiveness of these interventions by using highly reliable and valid outcome measures in order to provide healthcare professionals and individuals with evidence-based guidance for optimal FHP management and SCM tightness.

Enrollment: 42 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 25 to 40 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Neck pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale >3)
• Craniovertebral angle (CVA) less than 51
• Shortened SCM muscle

Exclusion criteria

• Neck pain with whiplash or headache, neurological disorder

• History of previous head, neck, cervical spine or shoulder surgery

• Infection or inflammatory arthritis in the cervical spine

• History of cervical radiculopathy

  • Diagnosed fibromyalgia and myopathy
  • History of cancer

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

42 participants in 2 patient groups

Manual Ischemic Compression with Strain Counter Strain technique

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive Manual Ischemic Compression with Strain Counter Strain technique.

Treatment:

Other: Experimental: Manual Ischemic Compression with Strain Counter Strain technique

Manual Ischemic Compression

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive only Manual Ischemic Compression

Treatment:

Other: Active Comparator: Manual Ischemic Compression