Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07576296

Effects of Scapular Posterior Tilt Exercises and Cross-Body Stretching in Postpartum Women With Rounded Shoulders

This study aims to compare the effects of scapular posterior tilt exercises and cross-body stretching on breastfeeding efficiency, latch quality, and posture in postpartum women with rounded shoulders.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Conditions

Postpartum Complication Behavior Breast Feeding Feeding Behavior

Age range

20 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Sheikh Zaid Hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, 6400, Pakistan

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Ramisha Saeed, MSPT(WH)

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

hina G gul, PhD*

CONTACT

[email protected]

03214979172

About this study

This randomized clinical study will include 30 postpartum women (2 weeks to 6 months postpartum) who will meet the inclusion criteria for rounded shoulders and will be actively breastfeeding. The study will be conducted at Sheik Zaid Hospital and will include multiparous women. Participants will be randomly allocated into two intervention groups: Group A, which will perform scapular posterior tilt exercises, and Group B, which will engage in cross-body stretching exercises. Both groups will undergo their respective intervention protocols three times per week over a period of four weeks. All participants will receive standardized ergonomic education focused on proper breastfeeding posture. The tools that will be used for assessment include the Bristol Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (BBAT) for latch quality, the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES) for breastfeeding efficiency, and a posture analysis using the AI Posture Evaluation and Correction System (APECS). Assessments will be conducted before and after the intervention. Data will be entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Mutiparous females.
  • previous cesarean section deliveries
  • Postpartum women between 2 weeks and 6 months postpartum.
  • Experiencing shoulder discomfort or poor posture

Exclusion criteria

  • History of recent trauma or surgery such a Arthroscopy for Impingement Syndrome, Shoulder Replacement that affecting the shoulder complex.
  • Mother with history of breast cancer and hepatitis
  • History of shoulder surgery, trauma, or musculoskeletal disorders affecting the upper back/shoulder (Trapezius muscles train, Levator scapulae and rhomboid overuse)
  • Severe postnatal complications (e.g., mastitis, postpartum depression, uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes.

Treatment and study plan

Scapular Posterior Tilt exercises

Other
  • 3 sessions per week
  • Duration: 20-30 minutes per session
  • Total duration: 6 weeks

Cross-Body Stretching

Other

3 sessions per week, Duration: 20-30 minutes per session. for 6 weeks

Primary outcomes

  1. BREASTFEEDING SELF EFFICACY SCALE:

    Time frame: 6th week

    The BSES-SF was a 14-item self-administered instrument derived from the original 33-item BSES that measured breastfeeding confidence. All items were preceded by the phrase "I can always" and were rated on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (not at all confident) to 5 (always confident). Total scores ranged from 14 to 70, with higher scores reflecting more significant levels of breastfeeding self-efficacy.

  2. Bristol Breastfeeding Assessment Tool:

    Time frame: 6th week

    Jenny Ingram developed this tool in 2022; Cronbach's alpha value was found to be 0.77. The scale is a Likert-type scale comprising the 4 items of "positioning," "holding," "sucking" and "swallowing." Each item is scored between 0- 2 points. The lowest possible score on the scale is 0, the highest is 8. Lower scores indicate that the breastfeeding is not successful, the higher scores signify successful breastfeedin

  3. APESC:

    Time frame: 6th week

    The APECS mobile app uses photo-based posture analysis and scores alignment across body segments using virtual markers. It has excellent reliability, with inter-rater ICCs above 0.90 for most measures and strong intra-rater consistency. Its validity is supported by its ability to detect postural differences between groups

Study contacts

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

imran amjad

CONTACT

[email protected]

03324390125

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparative Effects of Scapular Posterior Tilt Exercises and Cross-Body Stretching on Breastfeeding Efficiency Latch Quality and Posture in Postpartum Women With Rounded Shoulders

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
May 8, 2026
Registry last updated
May 8, 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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.