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NCT Number: NCT07329478

Effects of Muscle Specific as Compared to Movement Specific Muscle Energy Technique on Isometric Muscle Strength and Muscular Endurance in Individuals With Mechanical Neck Pain

Neck pain, prevalent in young adults due to poor posture, sedentary habits, and muscle imbalance. This study aims to compare the effects of muscle-specific versus movement-specific MET on pain, isometric muscle strength, and endurance of neck flexors and extensors. Pre- and post-intervention assessments using VAS, Modified Sphygmomanometer Dynamometer, and cranio-cervical flexion/extension tests will evaluate treatment outcomes.

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Key information

Conditions

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

Age range

19 year–44 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Foundation University Islamabad

Islamabad, Punjab Province, 46000, Pakistan

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Zaib ul Hassan, DPT

CONTACT

[email protected]

+92336-5667805

About this study

Neck pain, affecting nearly 75.7% of young adults, is commonly linked to poor posture, sedentary lifestyles, and muscle imbalances. If left untreated, it may lead to disability and degenerative changes. Among rehabilitation approaches, muscle energy techniques (METs) have shown effectiveness in improving pain, mobility, and function by targeting neuromuscular dysfunction. This study aims to compare the effects of muscle- specific MET with movement-specific MET on pain, isometric muscle strength, and muscular endurance of neck flexors and extensors in individuals with neck pain. A randomized control trial will be conducted using purposive sampling. Thirty participants will be divided into two groups: Group A (movement-specific MET) and Group B (muscle-specific MET), with both groups following a standard protocol of Tens and Hotpack applied for 10 mins proceeding every session for five sessions.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 19-44 years.
  • Both Genders (Male and Female).
  • Limitation on cervical motion
  • Pain ranging from 40-80 mm on visual analogue scale (VAS)

Exclusion criteria

  • Participants with a positive history of fracture, surgery or trauma in the neck region, thoracic outlet syndrome, infection, any malignancy.
  • Vascular syndromes such as vertebrobasilar insufficiency.
  • Inflammatory, or rheumatic disorders, cervical radiculopathy, myelopathy, spondylosis, or syringomyelia.

Treatment and study plan

Movement specific muscle energy technique

Procedure

In the movement-specific group, participants received Post-Isometric Relaxation MET targeting cervical spine movements (flexion, extension, rotation, lateral flexion). For example, during right rotation:

Active Contraction: The participant rotated left (opposite direction) with 30-50% effort against the therapist's resistance for 7-10 seconds.

Relaxation: The participant relaxed completely. Stretching: The therapist gently moved the head towards the restricted range (right rotation) and held the stretch for 10-60 seconds.

This technique enhances mobility and reduces muscular tension by combining contraction, relaxation, and stretching.

Muscle specific muscle energy technique

Procedure

In the muscle specific MET group, the participants were given post-isometric relaxation MET targeted at muscles of the neck region that are prone to get short, including anterior, middle and posterior Scalene, Sternocleidomastoid, Levator Scapulae and upper fibers of Trapezius muscle.

Active Contraction: The participant rotated left (opposite direction) with 30-50% effort against the therapist's resistance for 7-10 seconds. Relaxation: The participant relaxed completely. Stretching: The therapist gently moved the head towards the restricted range (right rotation) and held the stretch for 10-60 seconds. This technique enhances mobility and reduces muscular tension by combining. Tens and Hot pack therapy for both groups preceding every session for 10 mins.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain Intensity

    Time frame: 5 days

    Visual Analog Scale will be used for measuring pain intensity, 0 is no pain and 10 is worst pain.

  2. Isometric muscle strength

    Time frame: 5 days

    Modified Sphygmomanometer Dynamometer will be used to measure isometric muscle strength. In which Higher pressure is stronger muscles; lower values suggest weakness or dysfunction.

  3. Muscle endurance

    Time frame: 5 days

    Cranio-cervical flexion Test/ Cranio-cervical extension Test will be used for measuring muscle endurance. Strong contraction means normal; weakness suggests flexors/extensors' dysfunction.

Study contacts

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

Hafiza Ali Bin Asim, MS-SPT

CONTACT

[email protected]

+923135088144

Zaib ul Hassan, DPT

CONTACT

[email protected]

+92336-5667805

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Foundation University Islamabad

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jan 9, 2026
Registry last updated
Jan 9, 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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