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Comparative Effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Modified Active Release Technique in Scapulocostal Syndrome.

Comparative Effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Modified Active Release Technique in Patients With Scapulocostal Syndrome.

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07403227
Enrollment
46
Registered
2026-02-11
Start date
2025-01-10
Completion date
2025-10-30
Last updated
2026-02-11

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

Conditions

Scapulocostal Syndrome

Keywords

Chronic Neck Pain, Muscle Energy Technique, Myofascial Release Therapy, Neck Ache, Neck Disability, Manual Therapy

Brief summary

The study was conducted to determine the comparative effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Modified Active Release Technique on Pain, Chest expansion and Functional disability in patients with Scapulocostal Syndrome.

Interventions

OTHERMuscle Energy Technique

Muscle Energy Technique (PIR) began by putting the muscles in stretched position. An isometric contraction was exerted against minimum resistance. Followed by Relaxation, then gentle stretch followed as the muscle releases. Tight, tender muscles commonly suffering with pain undergoes such techniques. All the contraction were hold for 10 seconds for each muscle i.e. 10 repetitions followed with 20 seconds rest time. 1. MET for upper Trapezius Muscle. 2. MET for Levator scapulae Muscle 3. MET for Rhomboid muscle

OTHERModified Active Release Technique

Modified Active Release Technique combined the active movement by patients with the passive movements done by the therapist. During this, participants were instructed to hold every movement for 6seconds with 10 repetitions. Pin and stretch type of modified active release technique was used in the study. 1. Modified Active Release Technique for Upper trapezius: 2. Modified Active Release Technique for Levator Scapulae: 3. Modified Active Release Technique for Rhombhoids.

OTHERConventional Physical Therapy

* Hot pack for 10 minutes. * Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) (frequency: 2Hz and pulse duration 200 μs, 10 minutes

Sponsors

Riphah International University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

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

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age between 18-40 yrs. * Both male and females with shoulder-neck pain. * NPRS value\> than 3. * Chest expansion value \< than 3cm are included. * Subjects with Upper Trapezius, Levator Scapulae and Rhomboid muscles tenderness. * Pain duration should be present for at least for 3 months before inclusion in the study. * Presence of 1 to 3 trigger points in upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and rhombhoids (MTrP) causing referred pain pattern with palpable taut band of muscle.

Exclusion criteria

* Thoracic outlet syndrome. * Brachial neuralgia. * Local neck and shoulder disorder. * Adhesive Capsulitis. * Cervical Radiculopathy. * Trauma or Injury around Scapular area. * Past Surgical Area. * Any cardiovascular or Respiratory pathology. * People with psychiatric illness such as depression.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Numeric Pain Rating ScaleFrom enrollment to the end of treament at 6 weeks.Patient's pain level was accessed using NPRS. It is a tool used to check the severity of pain, on a scale of 0 to 10, 0 indicates no pain, 1-3 means mild pain,4to 6 indicates moderate pain, and 7 to 10 value shows severe pain. Patient rates their level of pain at that time and the less and severe pain level in previous 24 hours, Then the average is taken by using 3 values. Validity of NPRS is 0.86 and reliability 0.96.
Neck Disability Index.From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeksNeck Disability index is a tool to check the neck complaints. Developed from Oswestry Index of neck pain and neck disability index. It is based on activites of daily life and provide a good functional value. This scale consists of 10 sections, each section contains 5 further questions of daily life activities affected, each section scored 0 to 5. The subject was asked to answer these questions. By dividing the total scores over number of questions answered and multiply by 100, the index was calculated. The validity and realibility of NDI is good
Measuring Inches TapeFrom enrollment to the end of study at 6 weeksMeasuring Tape is used to measure Chest expansion. It is a reliable, non-invasive and simple method. Chest Expansion is measured by thoracic girth difference, after maximal inspiration, and at maximal expiration end point. There are several anatomical landmarks to measures upper and lower chest expansion. Anatomical landmarks are 4th intercostal space, axillary lines, and thoracic vertebrae (3rd ,5th .12th) and 10th thoracic vertebrae and xiphoid process. 4th Intercostal space and axillary lines were used to measure chest expansion in this study at both levels. The 2-instruction evaluated were, "breathe in maximally, breathe out maximally". And value were recorded at end of Maximal inhalation and maximal exhalation. A difference in these values were then calculated. An acceptable Reliability by ICC was determined. Value \> 0.85 and SEMs \< 5%.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
ROM Cervical Spine (Flexion)from enrollment to the end at 6th week of treatment.Changes in cervical spine flexion ROM at baseline and at 6th week of intervention was measured using Goniometer.
ROM Cervical Spine (Extension)from enrollments to the end of treatment at 6 weeks.Changes in cervical spine extension ROM at baseline and at 6th week of intervention was measured using Goniometer.
ROM Cervical Spine (Left Lateral Flexion).From Enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeksChanges in cervical spine left lateral flexion ROM at baseline and at 6th week of intervention was measured using Goniometer.
ROM Cervical Spine (Right Lateral Flexion)From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks.Changes in cervical spine right lateral flexion flexion ROM at baseline and at 6th week of intervention was measured using Goniometer.

Countries

Pakistan

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORRafia Mannan, MS-SPT

Riphah International University

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 12, 2026