Effects of Post Isometric Relaxation With Scapular Stabilization Exercises

Riphah International University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Upper Cross Syndrome

Treatments: Other: Post-isometric relaxation and Conventional treatment; Other: Conventional Physical Therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05973682

REC/RCR & AHS/23/0127 Kainat

Details and patient eligibility

About

The levator scapulae is an important postural muscle that tends to shorten or become tight because of overactivity and bad posture, leading to neck and shoulder pain. Levator scapulae syndrome is usually caused by the poor shoulders posture as rounded shoulders as sitting at a computer hunched. It is exacerbated by sustained neck postures, neck movements or levator scapulae muscle palpation. The aim of study will be to determine the effects of post isometric relaxation with scapular stabilization exercises on pain, disability and range of motion in patients with levator scapulae syndrome.

Full description

A Randomized Controlled Trial will be conducted at Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Sharqpur Shareef, Sheikhupura through consecutive sampling technique on 30 patients with levator scapulae syndrome which will be allocated using simple random sampling through sealed opaque enveloped into Group A and Group B. Group A will be treated with post isometric relaxation, scapular stabilization exercises along with baseline treatment. Group B will be treated with post isometric relaxation along with baseline treatment. Baseline treatment includes hot pack, TENS, upper trapezius stretch, levator scapular stretch and pectoralis major stretch. Both groups will come thrice per week for a total of 4 weeks. Outcome measures are NPRS, universal goniometer and NDI. Data will be analysed during SPSS software version 25. After assessing normality of data by Shapiro-Wilk test, it will be decided either parametric or non-parametric test will be used within a group or between two groups.

Keywords: Disability, Levator Scapulae, Range of Motion, Pain

Enrollment: 30 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 40 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Both Males and females
• Age range of 18-40 years
• Neck and medial border scapular pain for at least 3months
• Examination - Increased muscle tone and tenderness at neck
• Reduced Side flexion and Rotation of neck
• Positive Levator Scapular length Test

Exclusion criteria

• Neuropathies
• Vertebral fractures
• Pregnancy
• Previous cognitive and functional disorders
• Traumatic neck injury
• Fibromyalgia
• cancer

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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30 participants in 2 patient groups

Group A: post isometric relaxation and ConVentional treatment.

Experimental group

Description:

Post Isometric Relaxation: The term refers to the effect of subsequent relaxation experienced by a muscle or group of muscles, after brief periods during which an isometric contraction has been performed. Post isometric relaxation technique was applied to levator scapulae for 5 repetition using 20% of maximal isometric contraction for 7-10 sec. with complete relaxation of all element, the stretch is maintained for 30 sec.

Treatment:

Other: Conventional Physical Therapy

Other: Post-isometric relaxation and Conventional treatment

Group B: Conventional treatment

Active Comparator group

Description:

hot pack and TENS at neck area for 10 mint upper trapezius, levator scapulae and pectoralis stretching 3 times with 30-second hold. static stretching exercises, two sessions per week for 3 weeks were given to each patient

Treatment:

Other: Conventional Physical Therapy