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NCT Number: NCT07578766

Influence of Fun Physical Activities on Neck Pain and Posture in Children

Neck pain is becoming increasingly common in school-aged children, mainly due to prolonged use of electronic devices and poor posture (especially forward head posture), often referred to as "text neck syndrome." Other contributing factors include sedentary lifestyles, heavy school bags, and rapid growth during adolescence. While this issue has been widely studied in adults and teenagers, research focusing on younger children is limited. This study aims to evaluate the effects of fun-game activities, cervical stretching exercises, and postural education in reducing neck pain and improving posture among school-going children.

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Key information

Conditions

Neck Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Posture Disorders in Children Signs and Symptoms

Age range

Up to 15 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The Spirit School

Sialkot, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Location status: Recruiting

About this study

This study will utilize a controlled trial design. Data collection will take place at two educational institutions in Sialkot: The Spirit School and the Concept School System, located on Paris Road .It will be conducted over duration of eight weeks. A total of fourteen school-going teenagers with forward neck posture and neck pain will be selected. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups. Group A, the intervention group, will receive a structured cervical stretching and posture education program titled "fun-game activities" for eight weeks, with sessions conducted three days per week, each lasting 30 minutes. The exercise program will include a combination of warm-up activities, neck-specific and postural strengthening exercises (such as chin tucks, wall angels, tree pose, plank on knees, and balloon reach), and engaging cool-down or game-based tasks to maintain student motivation. Exercises will progress in complexity every two weeks to enhance cervical mobility and postural control. Group B will serve as the control group and will continue with baseline and their routine daily activities. Non-probability convenient sampling will be followed. The inclusion criteria for participation include teenagers of either gender with forward neck posture and associated neck pain. Exclusion criteria such as scoliosis, pain resulting from injuries like fractures, or having had undergone any surgical procedures. Data will be collected using three validated tools: a goniometer to measure cervical range of motion (flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral bending), the Neck Disability Index (NDI) to assess functional limitations due to neck pain, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to evaluate pain intensity.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Student with Forward neck posture with angle 48 ° measured with kinovea software.
  • Teenagers (School going age ≤ 15 yrs)
  • Both gender
  • Children with neck pain

Exclusion criteria

  • Children with scoliosis
  • Pain due to frank injuries (like fractures)
  • Patients having had any recent surgical procedure would not be enrolled in this study.

Treatment and study plan

fun game activities

Other

The study will run for 10 months, with sessions 3 times per week (30 minutes each).

Group A will follow an 8-week fun, structured program including warm-ups, posture exercises (e.g., chin tucks, wall angels, plank), and interactive games and breathing activities, progressing every two weeks.

neck isometrics

Other

Group B will perform isometric neck exercises and continue normal school activities without additional structured training.

The program aims to improve posture and reduce neck pain in children

Primary outcomes

  1. Goniometer

    Time frame: 3rd Day

    A goniometer is a simple instrument used to measure the range of motion (ROM) of joints in the body. It is commonly used in physiotherapy and rehabilitation to assess joint angles and monitor progress over time.

    It typically consists of:

    A stationary arm (placed along a fixed body part)

    A movable arm (aligned with the moving body segment)

    A fulcrum or axis (placed over the joint being measured)

    The goniometer is used to evaluate movements such as flexion, extension, abduction, and rotation. It helps clinicians determine joint limitations, track improvements, and guide treatment plans.

Secondary outcomes

  1. NDI Questionnaire

    Time frame: 3rd Day

    This questionnaire has been designed to give us information as to how your neck pain has affected your ability to manage in everyday life. Please answer every section and mark in each section only the one box that applies to you. We realise you may consider that two or more statements in any one section relate to you, but please just mark the box that most closely describes your problem.

Other outcomes

  1. Visual Analogue Scale

    Time frame: 3rd Day

    The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is a simple and widely used tool to measure a person's pain intensity.

    It typically consists of a 10 cm straight line, where:

    One end represents "no pain" (0) The other end represents "worst possible pain" (10)

    The patient is asked to mark a point on the line that best represents their level of pain. The distance from the "no pain" end to the marked point is then measured and recorded as the pain score.

    VAS is easy to use, quick, and effective for tracking changes in pain over time in both clinical and research settings.

Study contacts

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

Imran Amjad, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

03324390125

Muhammad Asif Javed, PhD*

CONTACT

[email protected]

+923224209422

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Fun Games Activities on Neck Pain and Posture Among School Going Children

Important dates

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