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NCT Number: NCT07758530

Effects of Electrotherapy on Muscle Properties in Forward Head Posture

This randomized controlled trial investigates the acute effects of three electrotherapy modalities (therapeutic ultrasound, interferential current, and TENS) on the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of neck muscles in young adults with forward head posture. Seventy-five participants will be randomly allocated to one of three groups. Muscle stiffness, oscillation frequency, and craniovertebral angle will be assessed before and immediately after a single treatment session.

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Key information

Conditions

Forward Head Posture

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

Forward head posture (FHP) is a common postural deviation associated with increased mechanical loading of the cervical spine and altered muscle length-tension relationships. While electrotherapy modalities are widely used clinically to manage neck pain, their acute effects on the biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of cervical muscles remain insufficiently characterized. This study will evaluate the acute effects of therapeutic ultrasound, interferential current, and TENS on the dynamic stiffness, oscillation frequency, elasticity, and pain of the upper trapezius, splenius capitis, sternocleidomastoid, and cervical erector spinae muscles, measured using myotonometry (MyotonPRO) immediately before (T0) and after (T1) a single treatment session.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 18-30 years
  • Craniovertebral angle (CVA) < 55°
  • Male and female
  • Voluntary participation

Exclusion criteria

  • Cervical instability
  • Diagnosed inflammatory joint disease
  • History of accident, trauma, or surgery
  • Cervical pain treatment within the last 6 months
  • Presence of cervical implant
  • Skin irritation at measurement/electrode sites
  • Diagnosed epilepsy
  • Presence of cardiac/brain pacemaker
  • Unwillingness to participate

Treatment and study plan

Therapeutic Ultrasound (Chattanooga Intelect® Vet)

Device

Pulsed therapeutic ultrasound applied to the cervical region at 1-3 MHz frequency and 0.1-3 W/cm² intensity for 8-10 minutes in prone position, using circular head movements.

Interferential Current (Chattanooga Intelect® Vet)

Device

Bipolar interferential current applied via two electrodes covering the target muscles, ~2500 Hz carrier frequency, 100 Hz amplitude modulation frequency, for 15 minutes, at an intensity producing a clear but painless paresthesia sensation, in prone position.

Conventional TENS

Device

Conventional TENS applied via surface electrodes covering the target muscles, 60-120 Hz frequency, 50-100 µsec pulse duration, for 15 minutes, at an intensity producing a clear but painless paresthesia sensation, in prone position.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Dynamic Stiffness (N/m)

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)

    Dynamic stiffness reflects the resistance of the muscle to an external deforming force. It will be measured using MyotonPRO on the upper trapezius, splenius capitis, sternocleidomastoid, and cervical erector spinae muscles. The normative reference range for stiffness (S) is 220-380 N/m.

  2. Change in Oscillation Frequency (Hz)

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)

    Oscillation frequency reflects the resting muscle tone. It will be measured using MyotonPRO on the same muscle groups. The normative reference range for oscillation frequency (F) is 12.0-18.0 Hz.

  3. Change in Craniovertebral Angle (degrees)

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)

    The craniovertebral angle (CVA) is the angle between a horizontal line passing through the tragus of the ear and a line connecting the tragus to the spinous process of C7, and it is used to assess forward head posture. It will be measured from photographs using the Kinovea 2D motion analysis software. According to Salahzadeh et al. (2014), the mean CVA value in individuals without forward head posture is 55 degrees.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Muscle Elasticity (Logarithmic Decrement)

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)

    The logarithmic decrement reflects muscle elasticity, describing how quickly the natural oscillation of the muscle decays after mechanical perturbation. It will be measured using MyotonPRO on the same muscle groups. The normative reference range for logarithmic decrement (D) is 1.00-1.60.

  2. Change in Mechanical Stress Relaxation Time

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)

    Mechanical stress relaxation time reflects the viscoelastic properties of the muscle, specifically the time required for the muscle to relax after removal of an applied mechanical load. It will be measured using MyotonPRO on the same muscle groups. The normative reference range for relaxation time (R) is 14.0-30.0 ms.

  3. Change in Creep (Deformation/Relaxation Ratio)

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)

    Creep reflects the ratio between the deformation time and the relaxation time of the muscle and is used as an indicator of its viscoelastic behavior. It will be measured using MyotonPRO on the same muscle groups. The normative reference range for creep (C) is 1.00-2.00.

  4. Change in Pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, 0-10)

    Time frame: Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)

    Pain will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, an 11-point scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst pain imaginable. Participants who report pain will rate its severity using this scale.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Fatma Dilge AŞIK BOZDEMİR

CONTACT

[email protected]

+90 506 371 44 44

Hande TUNÇ

CONTACT

[email protected]

+90 507 822 60 15

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Medipol University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Acute Effects of Electrotherapy Modalities on Muscle Mechanical Properties in Individuals With Altered Head-Neck Posture

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2027
First posted
Aug 11, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 11, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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