Myofascial Release Technique, Neck Pain, Text Neck Posture
Conditions
Keywords
Text Neck Syndrome, Neck Pain, Myofascial Release
Brief summary
This study aims to investigate the acute effects of myofascial release therapy on neck pain, functional status, and cervical range of motion in individuals diagnosed with Text Neck Syndrome (TNS). Text Neck Syndrome is increasingly prevalent due to excessive use of smartphones and other digital devices, particularly among young adults. The intervention will consist of a single session of standardized myofascial release techniques applied to the cervical and thoracic regions. The primary outcome will be neck pain intensity measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11), while secondary outcomes will include cervical range of motion and the modified Neck Disability Index (NDI). Assessments will be performed immediately before and after the intervention. The study will be conducted with volunteer participants between the ages of 18 and 40, who use mobile devices for more than 3 hours per day and meet the diagnostic criteria for TNS
Detailed description
Text Neck Syndrome (TNS) is a repetitive stress injury caused by prolonged forward head posture, often due to extended use of mobile phones, tablets, and computers. The increasing prevalence of this postural disorder has led to a rise in musculoskeletal complaints, particularly among young adults and university students. TNS is characterized by symptoms such as neck and upper back pain, stiffness, shoulder pain, headaches, and, in some cases, paresthesia in the upper limbs. Myofascial release (MFR) is a manual therapy technique aimed at releasing restrictions in the myofascial system to alleviate pain and improve function. It is increasingly being used to treat various musculoskeletal disorders, including those affecting the cervical and thoracic spine. The technique involves applying gentle, sustained pressure to the myofascial connective tissue to improve mobility, reduce pain, and enhance functional performance. This single-arm experimental study is designed to evaluate the acute effects of a one-time standardized myofascial release session targeting the cervical and upper thoracic regions in individuals diagnosed with Text Neck Syndrome. Four myofascial techniques will be applied in a specific sequence: Single Arm Pull Lateral Neck Shoulder Release Thoracic Transverse Release Anterior Cervical Release These techniques are performed by a licensed physiotherapist with advanced training in manual therapy. Each intervention is applied bilaterally (if appropriate), with a duration of 90-120 seconds per technique. The primary focus is to observe immediate (pre-post) changes in: Subjective neck pain intensity Functional disability associated with the neck Cervical range of motion (C-ROM) in multiple planes This study is exploratory in nature and aims to provide preliminary data on the efficacy of a single-session MFR intervention for individuals experiencing TNS-related symptoms. The findings may guide future controlled trials and inform physiotherapeutic approaches in addressing posture-related neck dysfunctions.
Interventions
OTHERMyofascial Release
A single session of myofascial release techniques including Single Arm Pull, Lateral Neck Shoulder Release, Thoracic Transverse Release, and Anterior Cervical Release applied by a physiotherapist trained in manual therapy.
Sponsors
Karabuk University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Aged between 18 and 40 years (inclusive) * Uses a mobile device for ≥3 hours/day * Reports at least 3 out of the following 6 symptoms associated with Text Neck Syndrome (TNS): Neck pain Shoulder pain Back pain Headache Insomnia Numbness/tingling in hands -Voluntarily agrees to participate and provides informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* History of congenital, traumatic, or surgical pathology affecting the cervical -------spine or shoulder region * Neurological disorders that cause headaches (e.g., migraines due to underlying neurological conditions) * Presence of inflammatory, infectious spinal diseases, or diagnosed spinal deformities * Received trigger point injections in the cervical region within the past 6 months
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Numeric Rating Scale | Baseline and immediately post-treatment | Change in neck pain intensity using the 11-point NRS (0=no pain, 10=worst possible pain) |
| Cervical Range of Motion and joint position sense | Baseline and immediately post-treatment | Measured using a phone application (Clinometer) for flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral flexion |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Modified Neck Disability Index | Baseline and immediately post-treatment | Assessment of disability related to neck pain (score range: 0-50) |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
Primary ContactEce ACAR
Outcome results
None listed