Clinical trial NCT06918535: Progressive Muscle Relaxation Vs Muscle Energy Technique on Nonspecific Neck Pain in Prolonged Computer Users.
Official title: Progressive Muscle Relaxation Vs Muscle Energy Technique on Nonspecific Neck Pain in Prolonged Computer Users. A Randomized Controlled Trial
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Neck Pain
Chronic Neck Pain
Keywords: chronic pain
Computer user
Muscle relaxation
Progressive muscle relaxation,
neck pain
chronic neck pain
Sternocleidomastoid muscle
Trapezius
neck pain musculoskeletal
Lead sponsor: IQRA University
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Dow University of Health Sciences
name: Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
First posted: 2025-04-09
Enrollment: 60
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 20
Maximum age (years): 45
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: It is a randomized controlled trial. Total 60 patients will be recruited, 30 in each group that includes 6 patients as a dropout in both groups. There will be one interventional group and one control group. Treatment will be allocated using a random number sheet generated by SPSS software version 23. Participants are assigned to one of two groups in parallel for the duration of the study.
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The objective of this randomized controlled trial is to assess the potential effectiveness of Progressive muscle relaxation technique (PMRT) vs Muscle energy technique (MET) as an intervention for releasing trigger points in SCM and upper trapezius in prolonged computer users. The study will be conducted in a workplace setting, where desk-type computer users are expected to regularly engage in their professional activities for ≥ 6 hours throughout the day, intermittently. This study will be conducted at the Outpatient Physiotherapy department of Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Karachi among 60 patients with nonspecific chronic neck pain on the basis of non-probability purposive sample technique. After taking informed consent, all participants will be randomly allocated into two groups through a investigator (blinded) the same investigator will be screening the individuals, doing baseline assessment, and post treatment assessment while another investigator will be providing intervention. Group 1 will receive Progressive muscle relaxation technique while Group 2 will receive Muscle Energy Technique on sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius bilaterally. Patients will also be blinded. A total of 12 sessions will be provided. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and post treatment after 2 weeks intervention.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Persons using computer more than 6 hours throughout the day, intermittently both genders.
* Age between 20-45.
* Hypertonicity of trapezius muscle and SCM muscle. Specifically, those workers have neck pain and stiffness (including trouble tilting or turning head). Patients who reported small tightening and spasm at the posterior aspect of their neck are included, also associated with more diffuse neck pain patterns that included the following: headache, (upper back, neck and shoulder pain) numbness/ tingling in the hand/arm.
* Pain intensity of 2 on the NRS and presence of at least one latent trigger point in a taut band in the neck region.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Recent trauma to the cervical region
* Exclusion criteria based on with any serious pathology such as specific neck pain due to disc prolapsed, tumor of cervical spine, whiplash injury, cervical fractures, Cervicogenic headache, and any neurological signs consistent with nerve root compression

Primary outcomes:
measure: Change in pain on Numeric Rating Scale
timeFrame: Baseline and week 2
measure: Change in disability on the Neck Pain Disability Index Scale
timeFrame: Baseline and week 2
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Change in Range of Motion on the Goniometer
timeFrame: Baseline and week 2
measure: Change from baseline in head posture on plumb line
timeFrame: Baseline and week 2
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Karachi
country: Pakistan
facility: Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
state: Sindh
Study officials:
affiliation: IQRA University
name: Syeda Waniya Riaz, PhD (scholar), MSAPT, DPT
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
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