Comparing Muscle Energy Technique and Bowen Therapy for Pain, Movement, and Disability in Text Neck Syndrome

This study compared the effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Bowen Therapy on patients with Text Neck Syndrome's pain, function ROM, and posture. Today, text neck syndrome is a growing issue. The majority of us experience this unpleasant condition to some extent. There is no study that has compared the effects of muscle energy technique and Bowen therapy, although they can both be quite effective in helping individuals with text neck syndrome reduce their discomfort, improve their range of motion, and improve their functional impairment. So, the goal of this study was to compare the two treatments' results in order to determine whether one was a better method for treating text neck syndrome patients' discomfort by enhancing range of motion and functional impairment.

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Key information

Conditions

Text Neck Syndrome

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18-35 years

Both genders
Using smart phone more than 4 hours per day and pain from last 6 months.
Neck disability index greater than 10. (Seemal et al., 2022)

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects who had signs of recent surgery.

Whiplash injury or open wounds.
Cervical spine pathologies like radiculopathies, disc herniation, spondylolisthesis, sensory changes in neck region..
Deformities like torticollis.
Any inflammatory or malignant type of pain.

Treatment and study plan

bowen therapy

Other

Participants received a hot pack, followed by Bowen Therapy performed in prone lying position on a plinth. Bowen moves were applied to soft tissues and muscles of the neck and upper back, aiming to reduce muscle tension and pain. Sessions lasted 15-20 minutes, administered on alternate days for 6 weeks. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 3rd week, 6th week, and at 3-week follow-up.

Muscle Energy Technique (Post-Isometric Relaxation)

Other

Participants received a hot pack applied over the neck and upper back area for 7-10 minutes, followed by Muscle Energy Technique in supine lying position. Post-isometric relaxation was used for upper trapezius, levator scapulae, scalenus, and sternocleidomastoid muscles. A moderate isometric contraction was held for 5 seconds, followed by 3 seconds of relaxation, with 5 repetitions per muscle. Sessions were given on alternate days for 6 weeks. Assessments were performed at baseline, 3rd week, 6th week, and at 3-week follow-up.

Primary outcomes

Disability

Time frame: Baseline, 3rd week, 6th week, and 3-week follow-up after treatment completion

Neck disability Index scale (NDI-U) This Neck Disability Index (NDI) scale assesses the degree of perceived pain in neck an the disability status based on daily activities and underlying cervical spine pain. Each section is scored on a 0 to 5 rating scale, in which zero means 'No pain' and 5 means 'Worst imaginable pain'. Points summed to a total score

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Lahore

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparative Effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Bowen Therapy on Pain, Range of Motion, and Functional Disability in Patients With Text Neck Syndrome

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Sep 23, 2025
Registry last updated: Sep 23, 2025

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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