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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07403227

Comparative Effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Modified Active Release Technique in Scapulocostal Syndrome.

The study was conducted to determine the comparative effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Modified Active Release Technique on Pain, Chest expansion and Functional disability in patients with Scapulocostal Syndrome.

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Key information

Conditions

Scapulocostal Syndrome Neck Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

AAHAD Hospital Sialkot.

Sialkot, Punjab Province, 51310, Pakistan

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age between 18-40 yrs.
  • Both male and females with shoulder-neck pain.
  • NPRS value> than 3.
  • Chest expansion value < than 3cm are included.
  • Subjects with Upper Trapezius, Levator Scapulae and Rhomboid muscles tenderness.
  • Pain duration should be present for at least for 3 months before inclusion in the study.
  • Presence of 1 to 3 trigger points in upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and rhombhoids (MTrP) causing referred pain pattern with palpable taut band of muscle.

Exclusion criteria

  • Thoracic outlet syndrome.
  • Brachial neuralgia.
  • Local neck and shoulder disorder.
  • Adhesive Capsulitis.
  • Cervical Radiculopathy.
  • Trauma or Injury around Scapular area.
  • Past Surgical Area.
  • Any cardiovascular or Respiratory pathology.
  • People with psychiatric illness such as depression.

Treatment and study plan

Muscle Energy Technique

Other

Muscle Energy Technique (PIR) began by putting the muscles in stretched position. An isometric contraction was exerted against minimum resistance. Followed by Relaxation, then gentle stretch followed as the muscle releases. Tight, tender muscles commonly suffering with pain undergoes such techniques. All the contraction were hold for 10 seconds for each muscle i.e. 10 repetitions followed with 20 seconds rest time.

  • MET for upper Trapezius Muscle.
  • MET for Levator scapulae Muscle
  • MET for Rhomboid muscle

Other names: MET

Modified Active Release Technique

Other

Modified Active Release Technique combined the active movement by patients with the passive movements done by the therapist. During this, participants were instructed to hold every movement for 6seconds with 10 repetitions. Pin and stretch type of modified active release technique was used in the study.

  • Modified Active Release Technique for Upper trapezius:
  • Modified Active Release Technique for Levator Scapulae:
  • Modified Active Release Technique for Rhombhoids.

Other names: mART

Conventional physical therapy

Other
  • Hot pack for 10 minutes.
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) (frequency: 2Hz and pulse duration 200 μs, 10 minutes

Other names: Baseline Treatment

Primary outcomes

  1. Numeric Pain Rating Scale

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treament at 6 weeks.

    Patient's pain level was accessed using NPRS. It is a tool used to check the severity of pain, on a scale of 0 to 10, 0 indicates no pain, 1-3 means mild pain,4to 6 indicates moderate pain, and 7 to 10 value shows severe pain. Patient rates their level of pain at that time and the less and severe pain level in previous 24 hours, Then the average is taken by using 3 values. Validity of NPRS is 0.86 and reliability 0.96.

  2. Neck Disability Index.

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

    Neck Disability index is a tool to check the neck complaints. Developed from Oswestry Index of neck pain and neck disability index. It is based on activites of daily life and provide a good functional value. This scale consists of 10 sections, each section contains 5 further questions of daily life activities affected, each section scored 0 to 5. The subject was asked to answer these questions. By dividing the total scores over number of questions answered and multiply by 100, the index was calculated. The validity and realibility of NDI is good

  3. Measuring Inches Tape

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of study at 6 weeks

    Measuring Tape is used to measure Chest expansion. It is a reliable, non-invasive and simple method. Chest Expansion is measured by thoracic girth difference, after maximal inspiration, and at maximal expiration end point. There are several anatomical landmarks to measures upper and lower chest expansion. Anatomical landmarks are 4th intercostal space, axillary lines, and thoracic vertebrae (3rd ,5th .12th) and 10th thoracic vertebrae and xiphoid process. 4th Intercostal space and axillary lines were used to measure chest expansion in this study at both levels. The 2-instruction evaluated were, "breathe in maximally, breathe out maximally". And value were recorded at end of Maximal inhalation and maximal exhalation. A difference in these values were then calculated. An acceptable Reliability by ICC was determined. Value > 0.85 and SEMs < 5%.

Secondary outcomes

  1. ROM Cervical Spine (Flexion)

    Time frame: from enrollment to the end at 6th week of treatment.

    Changes in cervical spine flexion ROM at baseline and at 6th week of intervention was measured using Goniometer.

  2. ROM Cervical Spine (Extension)

    Time frame: from enrollments to the end of treatment at 6 weeks.

    Changes in cervical spine extension ROM at baseline and at 6th week of intervention was measured using Goniometer.

  3. ROM Cervical Spine (Left Lateral Flexion).

    Time frame: From Enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

    Changes in cervical spine left lateral flexion ROM at baseline and at 6th week of intervention was measured using Goniometer.

  4. ROM Cervical Spine (Right Lateral Flexion)

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks.

    Changes in cervical spine right lateral flexion flexion ROM at baseline and at 6th week of intervention was measured using Goniometer.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparative Effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Modified Active Release Technique in Patients With Scapulocostal Syndrome.

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Feb 11, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 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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