Neck Pain, Posture Disorders in Children
Conditions
Keywords
neck pain, stretching exercise, posture, schools, child
Brief summary
Neck pain is becoming increasingly common in school-aged children, mainly due to prolonged use of electronic devices and poor posture (especially forward head posture), often referred to as "text neck syndrome." Other contributing factors include sedentary lifestyles, heavy school bags, and rapid growth during adolescence. While this issue has been widely studied in adults and teenagers, research focusing on younger children is limited. This study aims to evaluate the effects of fun-game activities, cervical stretching exercises, and postural education in reducing neck pain and improving posture among school-going children.
Detailed description
This study will utilize a controlled trial design. Data collection will take place at two educational institutions in Sialkot: The Spirit School and the Concept School System, located on Paris Road .It will be conducted over duration of eight weeks. A total of fourteen school-going teenagers with forward neck posture and neck pain will be selected. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups. Group A, the intervention group, will receive a structured cervical stretching and posture education program titled "fun-game activities" for eight weeks, with sessions conducted three days per week, each lasting 30 minutes. The exercise program will include a combination of warm-up activities, neck-specific and postural strengthening exercises (such as chin tucks, wall angels, tree pose, plank on knees, and balloon reach), and engaging cool-down or game-based tasks to maintain student motivation. Exercises will progress in complexity every two weeks to enhance cervical mobility and postural control. Group B will serve as the control group and will continue with baseline and their routine daily activities. Non-probability convenient sampling will be followed. The inclusion criteria for participation include teenagers of either gender with forward neck posture and associated neck pain. Exclusion criteria such as scoliosis, pain resulting from injuries like fractures, or having had undergone any surgical procedures. Data will be collected using three validated tools: a goniometer to measure cervical range of motion (flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral bending), the Neck Disability Index (NDI) to assess functional limitations due to neck pain, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to evaluate pain intensity.
Interventions
OTHERfun game activities
The study will run for 10 months, with sessions 3 times per week (30 minutes each). Group A will follow an 8-week fun, structured program including warm-ups, posture exercises (e.g., chin tucks, wall angels, plank), and interactive games and breathing activities, progressing every two weeks.
OTHERneck isometrics
Group B will perform isometric neck exercises and continue normal school activities without additional structured training. The program aims to improve posture and reduce neck pain in children
Sponsors
Riphah International University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Intervention model description
The study will be conducted over 10 months, with sessions held 3 times per week, each lasting 30 minutes. Participants will be divided into two groups. Group A will follow an 8-week structured "Fun-Game Activities" program that includes warm-up exercises, key posture-focused exercises (such as chin tucks, wall angels, tree pose, and plank on knees), and interactive postural games and breathing activities. The program progresses every two weeks, gradually increasing exercise variety and engagement through playful activities like posture games, yoga, and movement-based tasks. Group B will perform isometric neck exercises and continue their regular school routine without any additional structured intervention. Overall, the intervention focuses on improving posture and reducing neck pain through a combination of exercises and engaging
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
No minimum to 15 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Student with Forward neck posture with angle 48 ° measured with kinovea software. * Teenagers (School going age ≤ 15 yrs) * Both gender * Children with neck pain
Exclusion criteria
* Children with scoliosis * Pain due to frank injuries (like fractures) * Patients having had any recent surgical procedure would not be enrolled in this study.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Goniometer | 3rd Day | A goniometer is a simple instrument used to measure the range of motion (ROM) of joints in the body. It is commonly used in physiotherapy and rehabilitation to assess joint angles and monitor progress over time. It typically consists of: A stationary arm (placed along a fixed body part) A movable arm (aligned with the moving body segment) A fulcrum or axis (placed over the joint being measured) The goniometer is used to evaluate movements such as flexion, extension, abduction, and rotation. It helps clinicians determine joint limitations, track improvements, and guide treatment plans. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| NDI Questionnaire | 3rd Day | This questionnaire has been designed to give us information as to how your neck pain has affected your ability to manage in everyday life. Please answer every section and mark in each section only the one box that applies to you. We realise you may consider that two or more statements in any one section relate to you, but please just mark the box that most closely describes your problem. |
Countries
Pakistan
Contacts
CONTACTImran Amjad, PhD
CONTACTMuhammad Asif Javed, PhD*
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORArmeeza Naseer, MS
Riphah International University
Outcome results
None listed