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Effects of Active Release Technique Versus Stecco Facial Manipulation in Patient With Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain

Effects of Active Release Technique Versus Stecco Facial Manipulation on Pain, Craniovertebral Angle, and Functional Disability in Patients With Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain.

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07724600
Enrollment
48
Registered
2026-07-24
Start date
2026-07-01
Completion date
2026-12-30
Last updated
2026-07-24

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

Conditions

Non Specific Chronic Neck Pain

Keywords

Chronic non-specific neck pain, Functional Disability, Pain, Range of Motion, Stecco.

Brief summary

Non-specific pain that originates from the superior nuchal line and extends to the first thoracic vertebrae. It is exacerbated by sustained neck postures, neck movements or cervical muscle palpation. Neck pain is a work-related musculoskeletal disease that can arise during prolonged or high-intensity activity. Increasingly, individuals seek medical attention for discomfort in the neck, upper extremities, and head caused by chronic tension. Neck discomfort is often caused by mechanical dysfunction that restricts joint movement inside the joint capsule. Active Release Technique(ART) is a manual release of tight soft tissue which targets on SCM, levator scapulae, suboccipital and Upper trapezius. Stecco Fascial Manipulation is an efficient manual soft tissue treatment method that particularly address in the areas of myofascial pain and discomfort, locomotor issues, and posture dysfunction. The aim of this study is to treat the patients having chronic non specific neck pain through the Active Release Technique (ART) and Stecco Facial Manipulation and to compare their effects that can affect cervical flexibility and to improve the symptom parameters of the regarding individual.

Detailed description

The current study will be Randomized Clinical Trial. Inclusion criteria for this study is the individual with chronic non specific neck pain between the age group of 20-40yr. Patient with any history of trauma or surgery in cervical region and any other cervical pathology will be excluded from the study. A sample of 44 individual with CNSNP will be selected from both genders. Tools used for the Data collection will be Numeric Pain Rating Scale(NPRS), Neck Disability Index(NDI) and Goniometer. Participants will be measured before and after treatment to assess changes. Interventions are carried out 5 days in a week for one hour daily. In this study descriptive statistical tools will used to analyze the data. Data will be analyzed through SPSS version 21.

Interventions

OTHERActive Release Technique

Active release technique is a manual release of tight soft tissue that targets the upper trapezius, SCM, Levator scapulae, and sub occipital muscle to improve posture and reduce tightness and pain

OTHERSTECCO Method

Stecco method, also known as Fascial Manipulation, is a manual therapy technique developed by Luigi Stecco, which focuses on releasing tension and restoring normal glide in the fascial system, especially where myofascial dysfunction is contributing to pain and restriction. Stecco method is applied specifically to the Levator scapulae, SCM, subocccipital, and upper trapezius muscles .All commonly involved in chronic non-specific neck pain.

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
20 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Individuals of both genders * Age between 20-40yrs(19). * Neck pain persisting for more than 3 months * Neck Disability Index (NDI) score between 10-30) (20).

Exclusion criteria

* Patients with history of trauma or surgery were excluded. * Cervical pain patients with radiculopathy were excluded. * Patients diagnosed cases of rheumatoid arthritis, or any systemic musculoskeletal disorders were excluded. * Patients use of muscle relaxants or undergoing any other physiotherapy for neck issues in the past 3 months were excluded. * Patients with cervical disc herniation or whiplash injuries were excluded. * Pregnancy or known hormonal conditions affecting musculoskeletal system were excluded.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Numeric pain rate scaleupto 6 weeksThe numerical rating scale (0-10), with 0 meaning no pain, and 10 meaning the worst unbearable pain, as measurement of pain intensity.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
2. Universal Goniometerupto 6 weeksUniversal goniometer is a popular tool in the clinical and rehabilitation environment to determine the joint angles and evaluate the range of movement (ROM).
Neck Disability index for functional Disability (NDI)upto 6 weeksThe Neck Disability Index(NDI) is a questionnaire designed to assess self-rated impairment of the individuals experiencing neck discomfort. It has ten questions on most aspects of daily living, such as the severity of pain, self-care, lifting, reading, and entertainment. This Questionnaire has a reliability of 0.87.The question has six answer options (including 0 (no disability) and 5 (full impairment). The total score ranges 0 to 50 whereby higher scores are going to be a greater impairment. It may also be stated as a percentage (0 to 100%)
Flexion Rotation Testupto 6 weeksFlexion Rotation Test (FRT) a physical examination instrument of specifying the rotation within the upper neck, particularly C1-C2. It helps to identify rotational, and can suggest chronic non specific neck pains or other upper cervical spine dysfunctions.

Contacts

CONTACTSumrod Akram
samrood.akram@riphah.edu.pk03324806143
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORFatima Nadeem, MSPT*

Riphah International University

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jul 25, 2026