Nonspecific Neck Pain

This clinical study investigates the comparative effects of two manual therapy mobilization techniques, Positional Release Technique (PRT) and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (İASTM), on cervical muscle endurance and functional performance in individuals with nonspecific neck pain. Nonspecific neck pain is a common musculoskeletal condition among office workers and students, often associated with poor posture, prolonged sitting, and repetitive strain. It leads to reduced muscle endurance, impaired functional capacity, and decreased quality of life. Early and effective management strategies are essential to prevent chronicity and disability. A total of 51 participants will be recruited and randomly assigned into three groups: Group 1 will receive PRT combined with a standardized home exercise program, Group 2 will receive İASTM combined with the same home exercise program, and Group 3 will serve as the control group receiving only conventional home exercise. The interventions will be delivered over a period of 4 weeks, with three sessions per week, under the supervision of trained physiotherapists. The home exercise program includes stretching, strengthening, and posture correction exercises designed to support cervical spine health. The primary outcomes of the study are cervical muscle endurance and functional performance, measured using validated clinical tests. Secondary outcomes include pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), functional disability measured by the Neck Disability Index (NDI), health-related quality of life assessed by the SF-12 questionnaire, and work-related performance indicators. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention. Randomization and blinding procedures will be applied to minimize bias, and standardized protocols will ensure consistency across groups. The main objective of this study is to determine whether the early application of PRT or İASTM, in combination with home exercise, provides superior improvements in cervical muscle endurance, pain reduction, and functional outcomes compared to exercise alone. By comparing these two mobilization techniques, the study aims to contribute evidence-based knowledge to physiotherapy practice and guide clinicians in selecting effective manual therapy approaches for nonspecific neck pain. The findings are expected to support clinical decision-making, improve patient care, and enhance rehabilitation strategies for individuals suffering from neck pain in occupational and daily life contexts.

Objective of study will be to compare effects of Cailliet and Kendall exercises on pain, functional movement and disability in non-specific neck pain.This randomized clinical trial will be conducted at Good Hands Physiotherapy Clinic, Shahdara Lahore. Sample size of study will be 36. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups Group A and Group B. We will include patients with age group between 25 to 40 years, both genders having localized pain or stiffness in cervical spine for more than 3 months after exclusion of upper limb radiculopathy. Group A will receive Kendall exercises regime and Group B will receive Cailliet exercises regime. Both groups will receive baseline treatment including hot pack and Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS). Short term effects would be assessed after treatment for 3 sessions per week on alternate days for 4 weeks. Patients will be assessed by Numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) for pain, Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) for functional movement and Neck Disability Index (NDI) Urdu version for Disability. Analysis will be done by statistical package for social sciences SPSS 25.