Non-specific neck pain is a prevalent condition causing discomfort, reduced craniovertebral angle, and disability. This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the combined effects of Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides (SNAGs) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on pain, posture, and function. Group A will receive SNAGs and CBT, while Group B will undergo SNAGs with cervical stabilization exercises, twice weekly for four weeks. Outcomes will include pain, craniovertebral angle, and disability, analyzed using SPSS.
Age group: 18-28 Years(20)
Gender Group: Both male and female participants(20)
Individuals with a Craniovertebral angle <53(20)
Individuals having grade 2 neck pain according to KNGF Guidelines.(21)
Those who had undergone spinal surgery(23)
Neck pain caused by various pathologies (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, fracture, tumor, etc.)(23)
Nerve root compression, (23)
A positive vertebrobasilar artery test, (23)
Parallel
Cognitive behavior therapy
Other interventionThe treatment session will begin with a 10-minute conventional therapy, including a 5-minute hot pack applied to the cervical region and a 5-minute Myofascial Release (MFR) using skin rolling and cross-hand techniques to relax and stretch the fascia layers. This will be followed by a 10-minute application of Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides (SNAGs), where the physiotherapist will guide the patient's active neck movements with accessory glides to improve joint ROM and reduce pain. Lastly, a 20-minute Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) session will include visual aids, explanations of cervical spine biomechanics, pain pathways, ergonomics, and posture management. Patients will receive manuals summarizing key points and be encouraged to engage actively. The 40-minute session will be conducted twice weekly for four weeks
Cervical Stabilization Exercises
Other interventionThe treatment session will last 40 minutes, twice a week for 4 weeks. It begins with a 10-minute conventional treatment: a 5-minute hot pack application to the cervical region followed by a 5-minute Myofascial Release (MFR) using the skin rolling technique. Natural wax will be applied for smooth strokes. MFR will engage all fascia layers with superficial strokes, progressing to deeper fascia using cross-hand stretch, depending on the pain tolerance. Next, SNAGs (Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides) will be applied for 10 minutes. The patient, seated, will actively move the painful joint through its range of motion while the therapist applies a glide force. This will be repeated 10 times for 3 sets. Then session includes 20 minutes of Cervical Stabilization Exercises (CSE) with bracing in neurodevelopment stages (supine, prone, quadrupedal, bipedal), holding each position for 10 seconds. Isometric exercises and functional training with elastic bands and exercise balls follow.
NPRS
Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) To determine the degree of pain that the patient will report, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) will be utilized. This scale consists of 11 points ranging from 0-10, where zero indicates no pain, five represents moderate pain intensity, and ten signifies severe pain intensity. An intraclass correlation value (ICC) of 0.67 indicated a moderate level of reliability for the NPRS (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), indicating a moderate level of consistency and stability in the scores obtained from the measurement tool.(24) NPRS have shown high test-retest reliability (r = 0.96 and 0.95, respectively) (19). The measurements for pain intensity will be recorded through this scale at baseline, and after 4 weeks of treatment
Neck Disability Index
To assess neck-related disability, a questionnaire called the Neck Disability Index (NDI) will be used. It consists of eleven things that address pain and regular tasks such personal care, lifting, reading, headaches, focusing, work status, driving, sleeping, and recreation. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the NDI (Neck Disability Index) is 0.88, indicating very high reliability, indicating a high level of consistency and stability of scores obtained from the measurement tool.(24) It has been demonstrated that the NDI-U questionnaire can accurately assess neck impairment in Urdu-speaking individuals with chronic musculoskeletal neck pain (CMNP). Its two-factor structure and use of simple language make it easy for patients to understand, making it a suitable assessment tool in both clinical and research settings for patients population.(25)
Craniovertebral Angle
Photogrammetric method (for Measuring Craniovertebral Angle): Neck pain is frequently brought on by the forward head posture, also referred to as the Craniovertebral Angle (CA). It is calculated using the angle created by a horizontal line going through the spinous process of C7 and a line originating from the tragus of the ear. According to intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values ranging from 0.88 to 0.98, photogrammetry in the sagittal plane is a trustworthy technique for determining forward head posture. This method has been utilized in several research studies to measure forward head posture. When used to evaluate cervical range of motion in the sagittal plane, the Kinovea software has also been demonstrated to have both intrarater and interrater reliability. This angle will be used to assess the degree of forward head posture in patients.
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