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NCT Number: NCT07679438

Comparing Between Mulligan Technique and Active Release Technique in Treatment of Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain

This study will be conducted to compare between Mulligan mobilization technique and Active release technique in management of non-specific chronic neck pain as regard to neck pain, cervical range of motion and neck function.

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Key information

Conditions

Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain 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

About this study

Neck pain is the second leading cause of disability worldwide among people with musculoskeletal disorders , and neck pain is responsible for a substantial burden to society . Current guidelines advocate a multimodal approach including different types of exercise and manual therapy for managing non-specific neck pain and there is little evidence of what specific intervention of this multimodal approach is most beneficial. This means that there is a gap in literature regarding this point in general. If effectiveness of each intervention is clear, this will inform selection of individual components of the multimodal approach. 36 Subjects of both genders with a primary complaint of neck pain more than 12 weeks will participate in this study.Group A will receive only the conventional physical therapy program prescribed in the form of ( hot packs , stretching exercises, isometric strengthening exercises and postural correction exercises) .Group B: will receive combination of traditional treatment of neck pain and Mulligan mobilization technique.Group C:will receive combination of traditional treatment of neck pain and ART .

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Inclusion Criteria

The participants will be included in this study if they meet the following criteria:

  • Have referred from orthopedic surgeon diagnosed with NSCNP that has been localized to the cervical and periscapular areas for at least three months
  • Aged from 18-40 years
  • Having a score more than 10 on the Neck disability index (NDI)
  • BMI from 18.5 to 29.9 kg/m2.

Exclusion criteria

The Participants will be excluded from this study if they meet any of the following criteria

  • History of previous neck surgery.
  • Recent or old fractures.
  • Cognitive impairment and inability to understand the scale.
  • Systematic inflammatory disease e.g., rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, neck pain with radiculopathy or neuropathy.
  • A score of below 10 or above 40 points out of 50 on the NDI.

Treatment and study plan

conventional treatment

Other

twelve participants will receive only the conventional physical therapy program prescribed for chronic non-specific neck pain in the form of: 1.Source of superficial heat using hot packs for 15 minutes. 2.Postural correction exercises. 3.Isometric strengthening exercises for neck muscles in all directions (Flexion, extension, side bending and rotation). 4.Stretching for common tight muscles (Trapezius, levator scapulae and sternocleidomastoid muscles). 5.Chin tuck exercises. 6.Scapular stabilization exercises

Mulligan mobilization

Other

Participant will sit comfortably supported in a chair with a neutral head and cervical spine position. Practitioner, A gentle, painless posterior-to-anterior (PA) glide will be applied to the facets (bony projections) on the spinous process or the articular pillar/cervical lamina. This glide will be maintained throughout the movement. Participant Action: While the glide will be held, the participant actively will move their neck in the direction that previously caused pain. If pain-free, the participant can gently push further into the movement restriction

Active Release Technique

Other

The patient will sit on a stool with hands supported on the thighs, the therapist will apply deep pressure on both sides of levator scapulae and upper trapezius muscles (over the area of tenderness) and the patient will be instructed to actively move the muscle from a shortened to lengthened position and thereby breaking adhesions.1 set of 3-5 repetitions in one session

Primary outcomes

  1. Cervical range of motion

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    Cervical ROM will be assessed using CROM device.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Neck function

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    Arabic version of neck disability index will be used to assess neck function

  2. Pain intensity

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    Numerical Rating Scale will be used to assess pain intensity

Study contacts

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

Abdullah Nagy fathy abdelrahman, assistant lecturer

CONTACT

[email protected]

0201028645667

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cairo University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Mulligan Mobilization Technique Versus Active Release Technique on Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain

Acronym: MWM/ART

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 1, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 1, 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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