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Comparative Effect of Neck Isometrics and Deep Cervical Flexion Exercises on Neck Pain Among Breastfeeding Females.

Comparative Effect of Neck Isometrics and Deep Cervical Flexion Exercises on Neck Pain, Functional Disability, Range of Motion and Muscle Weakness Among Breastfeeding Females

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06877728
Enrollment
48
Registered
2025-03-14
Start date
2024-02-15
Completion date
2025-02-15
Last updated
2025-03-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Breastfeeding, Muscle Weakness, Neck Pain, Range of Motion

Keywords

Neck pain, range of motion, Muscle weakness, Breastfeeding

Brief summary

Neck pain is a common complaint among breastfeeding females, potentially attributed to sustained postures and muscle imbalance. Breastfeeding females experiencing neck pain, aged between 18-40 years, will be recruited through local healthcare facilities and community outreach. The physical demands of breastfeeding, such as prolonged postures and repetitive movements, can contribute to the development of musculoskeletal issues in the cervical region. Despite the prevalence of neck discomfort among breastfeeding females, there is a paucity of research exploring effective exercise interventions tailored to this specific population. Mothers' awareness of proper nursing positions during breastfeeding may have positive impact on the connection between mother and baby. Most typical positions for nursing a baby are cross cradle hold, cradle hold, side lying and football hold. Most common adapted breastfeeding position is cross cradle.

Detailed description

A randomized control trial will be conducted to assess and compare the effectiveness of neck isometrics and deep cervical flexion exercises in alleviating neck pain, reducing disability, improving range of motion, and addressing muscle weakness in breastfeeding females. A sample size of 48 lactating women will be taken. Data will be collected from private clinical setups of Bahawalpur by using (NPRS) Numeric Pain Rating Scale Questionnaire, (NDI) Neck Disability Index, Range of motion will be assessed by inclinometer and Muscle strength will be assessed by MMT. A written consent form will be taken from participants meeting inclusion criteria and will be randomly allocated into two groups of equal members. Group A will be given Neck Isometric Exercises and Conservative treatment for 30 min (3-4days/week) of duration for total 6 weeks. Group B will be given Deep Cervical Flexion Exercises with conservative treatment. The interventions will be provided for 30 minutes for 3-4 Day/week for 6 weeks. All participants in both groups will be evaluated before and after the treatment programs. Outcome measures will be calculated after 6 weeks of intervention. Data will be analyzed by using SPSS 21

Interventions

OTHERNeck isometric exercises: 3 times weekly for 6 consecutive weeks (18 sessions)

Neck isometric exercises: 3 times weekly for 6 consecutive weeks (18 sessions) Duration: 10 to 15 repetitions with 3 sets, and 6 sec hold in flexion, extension and side flexion on both right and left.

Sponsors

Riphah International University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Intervention model description

participants received scar mobilization combined with kinesio tapping

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
25 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Between the ages of 25 to 40 years * Mode of delivery (vaginal/c-section) * Severe neck weakness (above grade III) * Primigravida

Exclusion criteria

* Previous history of upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms * Radicular neck pain * History of inflammatory disease (myelopathy) * History of cervical fracture

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
1. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)8 WeeksA Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a commonly used self-report measure to assess pain intensity. It typically involves asking individuals to rate their pain on a numerical scale. Below is a suggested format for a Numeric Pain Rating Scale questionnaire along with instructions and scoring guidelines. Scoring: Ask participants to circle the number on the scale that corresponds to their current pain intensity. The score is a single numeric value ranging from 0 to 10, with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating the worst imaginable pain. The higher the score, the greater the perceived pain intensity. The NPRS is a widely used subjective pain measure that has good test-retest reliability (r=. 79-. 96)
NECK DISABILITY INDEX QUESTIONNARE8 WeeksThe Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a widely used self-report questionnaire designed to assess disability related to neck pain. The questionnaire consists of 10 items that measure various aspects of daily activities affected by neck pain. Each item is scored on a 0 to 5 scale, and the total score is expressed as a percentage, with 0 indicating no disability and 5 indicating complete disability. Format: 10 items evaluating concerns relating to neck pain. The participant selects the number that best describes their level of disability for each activity. The NDI has a fair to moderate test-retest reliability in patients with mechanical neck pain, intra class correlations can change between 0,50 and 0,98 (
INCLINOMETER NECK ROM:8 WeeksAn inclinometer is a device used to measure the range of motion (ROM) of joints, including the neck, an inclinometer is often applied to measure flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation of the cervical spine. The digital inclinometer demonstrated excellent reliability (ICC=0.75-0.86), except for the right lateral flexion (ICC=0.74) and left rotation (ICC=0.72)
MANUAL MUSCLE TESTING FOR MUSCLE WEAKNESS:8 WeeksManual Muscle Testing (MMT) is a clinical and functional assessment technique used by healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists and physicians, to evaluate muscle strength and identify potential muscle weakness. It involves the application of resistance against a person's voluntary muscle contraction, and the resulting force is graded on a scale. 5/5: Normal strength (complete range of motion against gravity with full resistance) 4/5: Good strength (complete range of motion against gravity with moderate resistance) 3/5: Fair strength (complete range of motion against gravity with no resistance) 2/5: Poor strength (partial range of motion against gravity) 1/5: Trace movement (a flicker or trace of movement, but no joint motion) 0/5: No movement (complete paralysis)(

Countries

Pakistan

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026