Clinical trial NCT07026084: Effects of Biofeedback-Guided Training on Muscle Strength and Postural Alignment in Upper Cross Syndrome.
Official title: Effects of Biofeedback-Guided Training on Muscle Strength and Postural Alignment in Upper Cross Syndrome.
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Upper Extremity Problem
Muscle Weakness
Postural Kyphosis
Keywords: upper cross syndrome
forward head posture
young adults
bio feedback guided training
postural alignment
Lead sponsor: Riphah International University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-06-18
Enrollment: 56
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 25
Maximum age (years): 45
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: comparison based study on effects of bio feedback guided training and conventional exercise prorocol on muscle strength and postural training in upper cross syndrome
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of biofeedback-guided training versus conventional therapy on muscle strength and postural alignment in patients with Upper Cross Syndrome. The study includes adults aged 25-45 years meeting diagnostic criteria for UCS, such as weak deep cervical flexors, restricted cervical ROM, forward head posture, increased thoracic kyphosis, and chronic neck pain \>3 months. Participants are divided into two groups: Group A biofeedback training and Group B conventional therapy, receiving 12 sessions over 4 weeks ,3sessions/week. Assessments are conducted at baseline, post-1st session, and weekly intervals using standardized measures.The study aims to compare the efficacy of biofeedback-guided training in improving strength and posture in UCS patients.

Detailed description: Prolonged sitting and repetitive movements, common in desk jobs, poor ergonomics, and sedentary lifestyles, can lead to poor posture, discomfort, pain, and muscle or joint disability. A frequent result of poor posture is Upper Cross Syndrome, characterized by imbalances between upper body muscle groups. In Upper Cross Syndrome, overactive muscles like the pectoralis major, upper trapezius, and levator scapulae become tight, while the deep neck flexors, middle and lower trapezius, serratus anterior, and rhomboids weaken, disrupting movement patterns and increasing injury risk. Dr. Janda's 1988 model categorized muscles into postural (tonic) muscles, prone to tightness, and phasic muscles, prone to weakness. Upper cross Syndrome commonly causes neck, shoulder, and upper back pain, along with discomfort in the shoulder blades and neck stiffness.

Upper Cross Syndrome symptoms include neck, shoulder, and upper back pain, and can lead to forward head posture , increased thoracic kyphosis, and loss of cervical lordosis. Forward head posture, seen in 60% of individuals aged 20 to 50, causes neck strain, reduced mobility, and pain. With the rise of technology use, Upper cross syndrome has become more prevalent. Individuals often lean forward to view screens, exacerbating posture-related issues. Studies show Upper cross syndrome prevalence in IT professionals (67%), students (37.1%) and laundry workers (28%). Prevalence across different groups ranges from 11% to 60%. This condition leads to pain, discomfort, and reduced quality of life, prompting the need for effective treatment.

Effective manual therapy techniques for treating Upper Cross Syndrome aim to alleviate muscle tension, improve mobility, and correct postural imbalances. These include joint mobilization and manipulation, which restore normal motion and reduce pain, and soft tissue mobilization techniques like myofascial release and trigger point therapy that target tight muscles to enhance blood flow and reduce tension. Active Release Techniques identify and release muscle adhesions through specific movements and therapist-applied pressure, while transverse massage uses friction across muscle fibers to break down adhesions and promote healing. Post-Isometric Relaxation helps enhance flexibility and reduce tightness by contracting and stretching muscles, and neuro-mobilization addresses nerve entrapments commonly associated with Upper cross syndrome to alleviate pain.

A growing body of research has explored the effectiveness of various interventions for managing Upper cross syndrome, including manual therapy, and biofeedback-guided strength training. Karthi et al. found that motor control training of deep neck flexors using pressure biofeedback significantly reduced pain and disability, highlighting the efficacy of biofeedback in improving muscle activation and posture. Similarly, Ashfaq et al. demonstrated that cranio-cervical flexion training with biofeedback enhanced muscular endurance and reduced neck pain more effectively than conventional methods. These findings align with the clinical utility of biofeedback in correcting postural imbalances, a key feature of UCS. In addition, ART, which targets muscle adhesions and soft tissue dysfunction, has shown promise in improving range of motion and alleviating pain in UCS patients (Kang et al., 2016).Manual therapy techniques like joint mobilization and soft tissue manipulation are also effective in restoring normal movement patterns and reducing discomfort. Gumuscu et al. further supported these findings by showing that combining conventional program i.e. stabilization exercises with stretching and strengthening improved posture and respiratory function in office workers with forward head posture, suggesting that integrated approaches could enhance outcomes in Upper cross syndrome management.

Strength training has been widely used to correct Upper cross syndrome by targeting weak muscle groups, particularly DCFs. Studies have shown that resistance exercises can significantly improve posture and reduce associated pain by enhancing muscle endurance and correcting imbalances. However, conventional strength training lacks real-time feedback mechanisms, not providing neuromuscular control, potentially leading to compensatory movements and suboptimal outcomes.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* • Adults aged 25-45 years with both genders.

  * Individuals meeting the following diagnostic criteria for upper cross syndrome will be included:
  * Reduced strength of deep cervical flexors = unable to maintain pressure beyond 22-24 mm Hg (assessed via cranio-cervical flexion test).
  * Limited cervical range of motion (Flexion: \< 80 degrees, Extension: \< 70 degrees, Rotation: \< 90 degrees on both sides, Lateral Flexion: \< 20 degrees)
  * Postural deviations: forward head posture (CVA \<50 degrees), increased thoracic kyphosis (via flexi curve \>45 degrees).
  * Neck pain with a duration of over 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

* • History of recent neck surgery or injury.

  * Patients with neurological disorders affecting muscle tone.
  * Involvement in other physical therapy programs focused on UCS.
  * Diagnosed musculoskeletal condition that could impact muscle performance.

Primary outcomes:
measure: cranio-cervical flexion test
timeFrame: baseline to 4th week
Secondary outcomes:
measure: NPRS
timeFrame: total of 5 measurements taken at baseline, at the end of 1st, 2nd , 3rd and 4th week
measure: NECK DISABILITY INDEX
timeFrame: total of 5 measurements taken at baseline, at the end of 1st, 2nd , 3rd and 4th week
measure: cervical Flexion
timeFrame: baseline to 4th week
measure: cervical Extension
timeFrame: baseline to 4th week
measure: cervical Rt rotation
timeFrame: baseline to 4th week
measure: cervical Lt rotation
timeFrame: baseline to 4th week
measure: cervical Lt flexion
timeFrame: baseline to 4th week
measure: cervical Rt flexion
timeFrame: baseline to 4th week
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Rawalpindi
country: Pakistan
facility: Watch Guard Tech
state: Punjab
Study officials:
affiliation: Riphah International University
name: Aisha Razzaq, PHD*
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: