Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Combined With Postural Education in Upper Cross Syndrome

Gulf Medical University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Upper Cross Syndrome

Treatments: Other: Active neck muscle stretching and strengthening exercises; Other: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation with postural education

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06605456

IRB/COHS/STD/16/FEB-2023

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of PNF and conventional neck stretching, combined with a postural education program in improving forward head posture in students with clinical signs and symptoms of UCS. The study included a sample of undergraduate Gulf Medical University students with clinical signs and symptoms of UCS. A total of 24 samples were divided into two groups of 12. Group A received PNF pattern neck stretching and self-resisted neck PNF pattern, whereas Group B received Conventional neck stretches along with isometric strengthening of the neck muscles. Both groups were given a common postural education program. The intervention duration was 5 days per week for 4 weeks.

Full description

Collegiate students are prone to adopt slouched posture and develop muscular imbalance which is considered as a causative factor for the development of UCS. Studies have shown that students in medical universities have a higher risk of developing UCS. Even though PNF is considered to be simple and effective to improve inter and intramuscular coordination, its application to collegiate students with UCS is limited. Application of PNF combined with postural education programs may benefit the students to reduce UCS-associated clinical problems such as reduced forward head posture, pain intensity and improving muscle strength etc. Our current study might open the door of simple and effective management of UCS among collegiate students. Therefore, our study was conducted to find out the effect of PNF and active muscle stretching, both in combination with postural education programs, on forward head posture of the students with upper crossed syndrome.

Objectives:

● To compare the effect of PNF with active muscle stretching, both in combination with postural education programs on forward head posture of students with upper cross syndrome.

Enrollment: 24 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 30 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Students of Gulf Medical University.
• Both genders.
• Age between 18 - 30 years.
• Presence of clinical signs and symptoms of UCS.
• Presence of FHP with CVA of 49 degrees and below.

Exclusion criteria

• Musculoskeletal disorder such as strain, sprain, scoliosis.
• Students participating in any other interventions.
• Nutritional deficiencies.
• Unwilling participate.
• Degenerative joint disorder
• Neurologically unstable individuals

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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24 participants in 2 patient groups

Group A: PNF with postural education

Experimental group

Description:

PNF neck pattern intervention with a rhythmic initiation technique implemented. This exercise intervention consisted of a two-phase exercise set: stretching the muscles and strengthening them

Treatment:

Other: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation with postural education

Group B: Active neck muscle stretching and strengthening exercises

Active Comparator group

Description:

Active neck muscle stretching and self-isometric strengthening exercises, targeting all cervical muscle groups.

Treatment:

Other: Active neck muscle stretching and strengthening exercises