Cervical PainNCT04557904
Comparison of Craniocervical Flexion and Scapular Stabilization Exercises in Forward Head Posture and Neck Pain
A study testing Craniocervical flexion exercises and Scapular stabilization exercises in people with Cervical Pain, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
The aim of this research is to compare the effects of craniocervical flexion exercises and scapular stabilization exercises in reducing neck pain and forward head posture among females wearing head scarves. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 40 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Cervical Pain
- What is being tested?
- Craniocervical flexion exercises and Scapular stabilization exercises
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 15 Jun 2018to 15 Mar 2019
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 20 to 40 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Forward-head-posture
- Duration of wearing-the headscarf/hijab for a minimum of 5-years
- Females ho start wearing headscarf before or at the age of-20. Females having neck-pain for less-than-six-months or if they had any muscular spasm \& tenderness in the neck region.
- Pain being experienced in cervical spine area, which started from-superior-nuchal line-to the first thoracic vertebra.
- Pain radiating with or without any extensive radicular-symptoms towards other areas of body such as head and upper extremities.
- Restricted range-of-motion of cervical-spine.
Who cannot join
- Any red flags (tumor, osteoporosis, metabolic disorders, fracture, rheumatoid arthritis, resting-blood-pressure higher than 140/90 mmHg, prolonged-history of steroids abuse, continuous nerve root entrapment with two-or more-positive-neurologic-signs (muscle weakness involving cervical myotomes, abnormal upper limb deep-tendon-reflexes, or- -abnormal cervical dermatome.
- Already diagnosed with cervical spine-stenosis, showed bilateral upper limb symptoms.
- Any six weeks prior history of whiplash-injury or engaged in any type of treatment regarding neck pain from any-practitioner within the last month.
- History-of any previous-cervical or thoracic-spine-surgery-
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Pakistan1 site
Akhtar Saeed Trust hospital, Falah o Behbud Associations and Medicare Hospital
Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000
About this study
Official title: Effects of Craniocervical Flexion Exercises and Scapular Stabilization Exercises in Neck Pain and Forward Head Posture Among Female Wearing Head Scarves
The aim of this research is to compare the effects of craniocervical flexion exercises and scapular stabilization exercises in reducing neck pain and forward head posture among females wearing head scarves. Quasi experimental trials done at Akhtar Saeed Trust hospital, Falah o Behbud Associations and Medicare Hospital (Lahore, Pakistan). A sample size of 50 patients was taken using non-probability purposive sampling technique. Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups. Subjects in group A were treated with craniocervical flexion exercises and the subjects in group B were treated with scapular stabilization exercises with 25 subjects in each group. Pretreatment evaluation was done using numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and neck disability index (NDI) as subjective measurement and Goniometry for assisted range of motion (AROM) and plumb line method for measuring head posture as objective measurement. The baseline values for all dependent variables were recorded on day one and at the end of 4th week.
Read the detailed description
Neck pain is very common problem which is characterized by pain and soreness, felt in the area that lies between the lower margin of the occiput and 1st thoracic vertebra. Forward head posture can take place when head translated anteriorly and lower cervical spine goes into flexion or both and it is thought to be related with an increase in upper cervical spine extension. Most common abnormality which is associated with neck pain is forward head posture also known as chin poking. In which head is protrude out in sagittal plane and placed anteriorly to the trunk. It is considered that forward head posture causes an increase in compressive forces on the apophyseal joints of cervical spine and also on the posterior portion of vertebra. That is why, the length and strength of connective tissue change (due to the stretching of anterior structures and shortening of posterior muscles of neck ) following the pain. Shoulder blades and thoracic spine may also be affected with forward head posture, generally causing the imbalance in musculoskeletal system. Cervical flexor and extensor muscle groups strength \& endurance performance ratio determined the magnitude of forward head posture . During daily activities the prolonged static posture in neck , shoulders and head may cause neck pain. Neck pain persistence is often considered to be associated with abnormalities in head posture, therefore some clinicians emphasized its importance while during examination. Postural effects on health is becoming more apparent and the most frequent postural problem is forward neck posture, occurring in between 66-90% of the population approximately. However, with increasing age the cervical range of motion decreased and it's prevalence increased with longer disease period. Generally, the neck pain is more prevalent in women than men. Wearing the headscarf is a part of an essential religious practice by females in Islamic cultures. The headscarf is referred to the scarf that wraps up over the head and around the neck. According to the Pew Research Center there are approximately 1.7 billion Muslims in the world. Estimating the total number of females worldwide who wear headscarves is difficult. Several Islamic countries mandate females to wear headscarves when out in public, while other countries have banned the use of headscarves in public. However, in the majority of the world's countries, wearing headscarves is optional. Females in Islamic cultures wear the headscarf when they are in public and usually begin wearing it at the onset of puberty. Regular wear of the headscarf might have an influence on cervical proprioception and range of motion (ROM). Recent studies have identified impaired activation of the deep cervical flexor muscles, the longus colli and longus capitis, in people with neck pain. Craniocervical flexion is the principal action of deep cervical muscles. Given the role of the deep cervical flexor muscles in postural support and the knowledge of impaired activation of these muscles in people with neck pain, it is likely that this patient population also would display deficits in the postural endurance of these muscles and painful cervical spine disorders. Indeed, evidence suggests that people with neck pain drift into a more forward head position when distracted and Craniocervical flexion exercises improves forward head posture and reduce neck pain.Moreover, retraining the deep cervical flexor muscles, which has been shown to decrease neck symptoms and increase the activation of the deep cervical flexor muscles during performance of the clinical test of craniocervical flexion, may improve the ability to maintain an upright posture of the cervical spine. Furthermore, there is a relationship between cervical ROM and forward head posture.Repeated upper cervical retractions (strengthening deep cervical flexors and stretching cervical extensors) changed resting neck posture. Scapular stabilization brought about improvement in posture through activation of the neck muscles, the lower trapezius, and the serratus anterior. Therefore, this intervention has a positive effect on neck alignment by reducing the compensatory movements of the muscles involved in forward head posture. There is a lack of literature regarding neck pain and forward head posture in females wearing head scarves . That is why, in this study,Forward head posture measurements will be obtained. In addition, the effect of interventions to improve cervical muscle flexibility in this population will be explained. In this study, we considered three factors related to headscarves, Onset of the practice, hours worn per day, and the number of years worn.
LITERATURE REVIEW
In 2017 determined the effects of wearing the headscarf on cervical spine ROM and joint position error. To analyze the influence of age at onset of wearing the headscarf and duration of hours per day wearing the headscarf on cervical range of motion and joint position error. The headscarf group reported a significant limitation in cervical range of motion in all six directions. Joint position error test revealed no significant difference between groups. Moreover, females in the headscarf group who wore the headscarf for more than 6 hours per day had significantly less left rotation compared to those who wear it for less than or equal to 6 hours, Wearing of the headscarf may result in cervical range of motion limitation. The duration of wearing the headscarf daily is a key factor to limited cervical range of motion an increase in cervical Joint position error.
In 2017 determined the effect of forward head posture-improving exercises on rounded shoulder posture when employing the self-stretch exercise, the McKenzie exercise, and the Kendall exercise as intervention methods based on previous studies that reported negative effects of unbalanced posture and musculoskeletal problems on forward head posture and rounded shoulder posture. Their study results showed that all interventions increased the craniovertebral angle and the scapular index, which revealed that the applied exercises had a positive effect on forward head posture and rounded shoulder posture.
In 2018, designed the basic data for developing exercise program that helps correcting posture by knowing the effect of strengthening and elongation exercises of upper extremity muscle to forward head posture correction. After 4 weeks of neck and chest extensor muscle exercise, the group who exercised both showed increase in range of neck joint motion and neck flexion of the forward head posture. However, this study provides the fact that the group who exercised both neck and chest muscle had more effect than the control group.
In 2017 evaluated the effects of a 16-week resistance and stretching training program applied in physical education (PE) classes on forward head posture and protracted shoulder posture in Portuguese adolescents.. Study concluded that A 16-week resistance and stretching training program decreased forward head and protracted shoulder postures in adolescents.
In 2017 , evaluated the effect of modified cervical exercise and determine whether such exercise improves the range of motion of the cervical movement in smartphone users with forward head posture.According to the results of this study,A significantly increased range of motion was seen in all three groups that performed the modified cervical exercises, although the modified cervical exercises were performed for only a relatively short duration (four weeks), the exercises brought about an improvement in the forward head posture that was induced by using a smartphone.
In 2018 investigated the effects of scapular stabilization exercise on neck posture, muscle activity, pain, and quality of life in individuals with neck pain and forward head posture. Training the scapular stabilization group showed significant improvement on the craniovertebral angle, upper trapezius muscle activity, serratus anterior muscle. Study concluded that Scapular stabilization exercise can help improve the head posture and pain in the patients with neck pain and forward head posture. Controlling the muscular activities through scapular stabilization exercise also improves the patients' quality of life.
In 2018 investigated the effects of scapula movement on neck alignment and the muscles in patients with forward head posture, who has the structural changes around the neck caused from the forward head posture, when scapular stabilization exercise is applied. Scapular stabilization brought about improvement in posture through activation of the neck muscles, the lower trapezius, and the serratus anterior. Therefore, the intervention has a positive effect on neck alignment by reducing the compensatory movements of the muscles involved in forward head posture.
- Conditions
- Cervical Pain
- Being tested
- Craniocervical flexion exercises, Scapular stabilization exercises
- Keywords
- Forward head posture, Craniocervical flexion exercises
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Craniocervical flexion exercisesOther
Command the subject to be in crook lying position. Lock their finger to place their finger below the skull and retract the lower jaw and retract chin as far as possible. Subject has to slightly raise his/he skull a few centimeters. Fingers should be touching the cranium but not supporting it. Subject had to respire and hold the position. Subject has the move out the chin. Stop exercise and restart again. Perform this exercise for 10 times by holding this position for 20 sec at the start of the exercise, increasing it by 10 seconds every session commonly underwent pectoralis minor stretching before every session of exercise of 4 sets with 30 second's hold
Scapular stabilization exercisesOther
The scapular stabilization exercises were made up of four stages: (1) In supine position, the patient was commanded to deep respire for the sake of relaxation by maintain the cervical and shoulder in relaxing position to take a deep breath to relax the body while holding her shoulders and neck in relaxing position. (2) The patient then flex her knees and placed her feet flat on the plinth, and maintain the pose without any cervical movement. Then the patient asked to raise her dominant arm to 90° shoulder flexion with full elbow extension and scapular protraction. This position was sustained for 10 seconds before going to initial position. Three laps of 10 repetitions with one-minute interval in between were performed. (3) In quadruped position, the patient raise her arms alternatively with shoulder abduction and 120 ° flexion. That posture was held for 10 seconds before returning to the starting position. (4) In sitting position
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group A: Craniocervical flexion exercises | Experimental | Exercise protocol were performed over a 4 week duration under the command of a supervisor. Subjects were asked not to obtain any other particular intervention for cervical ache. Command the subject to be in crook lying position. Lock their finger to place their finger below the skull and retract the lower jaw and retract chin as far as possible. Receives: Other: Craniocervical flexion exercises |
| Group B: Scapular stabilization exercises | Experimental | Group B performed scapular stabilization workout for 30 minutes per session, three days a week for four weeks. The scapular stabilization exercises were made up of four stages Receives: Other: Scapular stabilization exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Neck disability index
Changes from base line Northwick disability index was developed first in Northwick Park hospital, England. It was designed to measure the neck pain and disability over time. It consists of 10, five parts sections. At the end, score is calculated by dividing the obtained score by total (50) multiplied by 100. As the driving section was missing in all the female patients, total score was considered as 45 instead of 50
Measured: 4th week
Numeric Pain Rating Scale
Changes from base Line Numeric Pain rating scale is a scale for pain starting from 0-10. where 0 indicate no pain and 10 indicate severe pain.
Measured: 4th week
ROM Cervical Spine ( Flexion)
Changes from the Baseline ROM range of Motion of Cervical spine flexion was taken with the Help of Goniometer
Measured: 4th week
ROM Cervical Spine ( extension)
Changes from the Baseline ROM range of Motion of Cervical spine extension was taken with the Help of Goniometer
Measured: 4th week
ROM Cervical Spine ( Right side flexion)
Changes from the Baseline ROM range of Motion of Cervical spine right side flexion was taken with the Help of Goniometer
Measured: 4th week
ROM Cervical Spine ( left side Flexion)
Changes from the Baseline ROM range of Motion of Cervical spine left side flexion was taken with the Help of Goniometer
Measured: 4th week
ROM Cervical Spine ( right rotation)
Changes from the Baseline ROM range of Motion of Cervical spine right rotation was taken with the Help of Goniometer
Measured: 4th week
ROM Cervical Spine ( left rotation)
Changes from the Baseline ROM range of Motion of Cervical spine left rotation was taken with the Help of Goniometer
Measured: 4th week
Plumb Line
Participants were requested to wear the suitable attire to properly expose the areas being examined e.g thoracic \& cervical spine. The lobe of ear, the seventh cervical vertebra, acromion process, the thoracic spine and lateral malleolus were used as landmarks for measuring the head posture
Measured: 4th week
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Sep 2020
- Study start15 Jun 2018
- Primary completion20 Feb 2019
- Study completion15 Mar 2019
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (16)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Cervical PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Riphah International UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Rabiya Noor, PHD, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04557904
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/18/1006 Sanjeela Abbas
- Status last verified
- Sep 2020
- First submitted
- 16 Sep 2020
- Last updated
- 22 Sep 2020
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Nejati P, Lotfian S, Moezy A, Moezy A, Nejati M. The relationship of forward head posture and rounded shoulders with neck pain in Iranian office workers. Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2014 May 3;28:26. eCollection 2014.
PubMed 25250268Kim JY, Kwag KI. Clinical effects of deep cervical flexor muscle activation in patients with chronic neck pain. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016 Jan;28(1):269-73. doi: 10.1589/jpts.28.269. Epub 2016 Jan 30.
PubMed 26957772Lopez-de-Uralde-Villanueva I, Beltran-Alacreu H, Paris-Alemany A, Angulo-Diaz-Parreno S, La Touche R. Relationships between craniocervical posture and pain-related disability in patients with cervico-craniofacial pain. J Pain Res. 2015 Jul 30;8:449-58. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S84668. eCollection 2015.
PubMed 26261425Dunleavy K, Goldberg A. Comparison of cervical range of motion in two seated postural conditions in adults 50 or older with cervical pain. J Man Manip Ther. 2013 Feb;21(1):33-9. doi: 10.1179/2042618612Y.0000000017.
PubMed 24421611Benatto MT, Florencio LL, Bragatto MM, Dach F, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C, Bevilaqua-Grossi D. Neck-specific strengthening exercise compared with sham ultrasound when added to home-stretching exercise in patients with migraine: study protocol of a two-armed, parallel-groups randomized controlled trial. Chiropr Man Therap. 2020 May 19;28(1):22. doi: 10.1186/s12998-020-00313-w.
PubMed 32423454Blomgren J, Strandell E, Jull G, Vikman I, Roijezon U. Effects of deep cervical flexor training on impaired physiological functions associated with chronic neck pain: a systematic review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2018 Nov 28;19(1):415. doi: 10.1186/s12891-018-2324-z.
PubMed 30486819Suvarnnato T, Puntumetakul R, Uthaikhup S, Boucaut R. Effect of specific deep cervical muscle exercises on functional disability, pain intensity, craniovertebral angle, and neck-muscle strength in chronic mechanical neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. J Pain Res. 2019 Mar 7;12:915-925. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S190125. eCollection 2019.
PubMed 30881101Rudolfsson T, Bjorklund M, Svedmark A, Srinivasan D, Djupsjobacka M. Direction-Specific Impairments in Cervical Range of Motion in Women with Chronic Neck Pain: Influence of Head Posture and Gravitationally Induced Torque. PLoS One. 2017 Jan 18;12(1):e0170274. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170274. eCollection 2017.
PubMed 28099504Yang CC, Su FC, Yang PC, Lin HT, Guo LY. Characteristics of the Motor Units during Sternocleidomastoid Isometric Flexion among Patients with Mechanical Neck Disorder and Asymptomatic Individuals. PLoS One. 2016 Dec 12;11(12):e0167737. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167737. eCollection 2016.
PubMed 27941995Hidalgo B, Hall T, Bossert J, Dugeny A, Cagnie B, Pitance L. The efficacy of manual therapy and exercise for treating non-specific neck pain: A systematic review. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2017 Nov 6;30(6):1149-1169. doi: 10.3233/BMR-169615.
PubMed 28826164Coulter ID, Crawford C, Vernon H, Hurwitz EL, Khorsan R, Booth MS, Herman PM. Manipulation and Mobilization for Treating Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for an Appropriateness Panel. Pain Physician. 2019 Mar;22(2):E55-E70.
PubMed 30921975Groeneweg R, van Assen L, Kropman H, Leopold H, Mulder J, Smits-Engelsman BCM, Ostelo RWJG, Oostendorp RAB, van Tulder MW. Manual therapy compared with physical therapy in patients with non-specific neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. Chiropr Man Therap. 2017 Apr 28;25:12. doi: 10.1186/s12998-017-0141-3. eCollection 2017.
PubMed 28465824Groeneweg R, Kropman H, Leopold H, van Assen L, Mulder J, van Tulder MW, Oostendorp RA. The effectiveness and cost-evaluation of manual therapy and physical therapy in patients with sub-acute and chronic non specific neck pain. Rationale and design of a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2010 Jan 24;11:14. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-11-14.
PubMed 20096136Price J, Rushton A, Tyros I, Tyros V, Heneghan NR. Effectiveness and optimal dosage of exercise training for chronic non-specific neck pain: A systematic review with a narrative synthesis. PLoS One. 2020 Jun 10;15(6):e0234511. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234511. eCollection 2020.
PubMed 32520970Damgaard P, Bartels EM, Ris I, Christensen R, Juul-Kristensen B. Evidence of Physiotherapy Interventions for Patients with Chronic Neck Pain: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials. ISRN Pain. 2013 Apr 15;2013:567175. doi: 10.1155/2013/567175. eCollection 2013.
PubMed 27335877
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 Sep 2020. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Craniocervical Flexion Exercises and Scapular Stabilization Exercises in Neck Pain and Forward Head Posture Among Female Wearing Head Scarves
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04557904
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/18/1006 Sanjeela Abbas
- Conditions
- Cervical Pain
- Keywords
- Forward head posture, Craniocervical flexion exercises
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Jun 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Feb 2019 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Mar 2019 (actual)
- First posted
- 22 Sep 2020 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The aim of this research is to compare the effects of craniocervical flexion exercises and scapular stabilization exercises in reducing neck pain and forward head posture among females wearing head scarves. Quasi experimental trials done at Akhtar Saeed Trust hospital, Falah o Behbud Associations and Medicare Hospital (Lahore, Pakistan). A sample size of 50 patients was taken using non-probability purposive sampling technique. Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups. Subjects in group A were treated with craniocervical flexion exercises and the subjects in group B were treated with scapular stabilization exercises with 25 subjects in each group. Pretreatment evaluation was done using numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and neck disability index (NDI) as subjective measurement and Goniometry for assisted range of motion (AROM) and plumb line method for measuring head posture as objective measurement. The baseline values for all dependent variables were recorded on day one and at the end of 4th week.
Detailed description
Neck pain is very common problem which is characterized by pain and soreness, felt in the area that lies between the lower margin of the occiput and 1st thoracic vertebra. Forward head posture can take place when head translated anteriorly and lower cervical spine goes into flexion or both and it is thought to be related with an increase in upper cervical spine extension. Most common abnormality which is associated with neck pain is forward head posture also known as chin poking. In which head is protrude out in sagittal plane and placed anteriorly to the trunk. It is considered that forward head posture causes an increase in compressive forces on the apophyseal joints of cervical spine and also on the posterior portion of vertebra. That is why, the length and strength of connective tissue change (due to the stretching of anterior structures and shortening of posterior muscles of neck ) following the pain. Shoulder blades and thoracic spine may also be affected with forward head posture, generally causing the imbalance in musculoskeletal system. Cervical flexor and extensor muscle groups strength \& endurance performance ratio determined the magnitude of forward head posture . During daily activities the prolonged static posture in neck , shoulders and head may cause neck pain. Neck pain persistence is often considered to be associated with abnormalities in head posture, therefore some clinicians emphasized its importance while during examination. Postural effects on health is becoming more apparent and the most frequent postural problem is forward neck posture, occurring in between 66-90% of the population approximately. However, with increasing age the cervical range of motion decreased and it's prevalence increased with longer disease period. Generally, the neck pain is more prevalent in women than men. Wearing the headscarf is a part of an essential religious practice by females in Islamic cultures. The headscarf is referred to the scarf that wraps up over the head and around the neck. According to the Pew Research Center there are approximately 1.7 billion Muslims in the world. Estimating the total number of females worldwide who wear headscarves is difficult. Several Islamic countries mandate females to wear headscarves when out in public, while other countries have banned the use of headscarves in public. However, in the majority of the world's countries, wearing headscarves is optional. Females in Islamic cultures wear the headscarf when they are in public and usually begin wearing it at the onset of puberty. Regular wear of the headscarf might have an influence on cervical proprioception and range of motion (ROM). Recent studies have identified impaired activation of the deep cervical flexor muscles, the longus colli and longus capitis, in people with neck pain. Craniocervical flexion is the principal action of deep cervical muscles. Given the role of the deep cervical flexor muscles in postural support and the knowledge of impaired activation of these muscles in people with neck pain, it is likely that this patient population also would display deficits in the postural endurance of these muscles and painful cervical spine disorders. Indeed, evidence suggests that people with neck pain drift into a more forward head position when distracted and Craniocervical flexion exercises improves forward head posture and reduce neck pain.Moreover, retraining the deep cervical flexor muscles, which has been shown to decrease neck symptoms and increase the activation of the deep cervical flexor muscles during performance of the clinical test of craniocervical flexion, may improve the ability to maintain an upright posture of the cervical spine. Furthermore, there is a relationship between cervical ROM and forward head posture.Repeated upper cervical retractions (strengthening deep cervical flexors and stretching cervical extensors) changed resting neck posture. Scapular stabilization brought about improvement in posture through activation of the neck muscles, the lower trapezius, and the serratus anterior. Therefore, this intervention has a positive effect on neck alignment by reducing the compensatory movements of the muscles involved in forward head posture. There is a lack of literature regarding neck pain and forward head posture in females wearing head scarves . That is why, in this study,Forward head posture measurements will be obtained. In addition, the effect of interventions to improve cervical muscle flexibility in this population will be explained. In this study, we considered three factors related to headscarves, Onset of the practice, hours worn per day, and the number of years worn.
LITERATURE REVIEW
In 2017 determined the effects of wearing the headscarf on cervical spine ROM and joint position error. To analyze the influence of age at onset of wearing the headscarf and duration of hours per day wearing the headscarf on cervical range of motion and joint position error. The headscarf group reported a significant limitation in cervical range of motion in all six directions. Joint position error test revealed no significant difference between groups. Moreover, females in the headscarf group who wore the headscarf for more than 6 hours per day had significantly less left rotation compared to those who wear it for less than or equal to 6 hours, Wearing of the headscarf may result in cervical range of motion limitation. The duration of wearing the headscarf daily is a key factor to limited cervical range of motion an increase in cervical Joint position error.
In 2017 determined the effect of forward head posture-improving exercises on rounded shoulder posture when employing the self-stretch exercise, the McKenzie exercise, and the Kendall exercise as intervention methods based on previous studies that reported negative effects of unbalanced posture and musculoskeletal problems on forward head posture and rounded shoulder posture. Their study results showed that all interventions increased the craniovertebral angle and the scapular index, which revealed that the applied exercises had a positive effect on forward head posture and rounded shoulder posture.
In 2018, designed the basic data for developing exercise program that helps correcting posture by knowing the effect of strengthening and elongation exercises of upper extremity muscle to forward head posture correction. After 4 weeks of neck and chest extensor muscle exercise, the group who exercised both showed increase in range of neck joint motion and neck flexion of the forward head posture. However, this study provides the fact that the group who exercised both neck and chest muscle had more effect than the control group.
In 2017 evaluated the effects of a 16-week resistance and stretching training program applied in physical education (PE) classes on forward head posture and protracted shoulder posture in Portuguese adolescents.. Study concluded that A 16-week resistance and stretching training program decreased forward head and protracted shoulder postures in adolescents.
In 2017 , evaluated the effect of modified cervical exercise and determine whether such exercise improves the range of motion of the cervical movement in smartphone users with forward head posture.According to the results of this study,A significantly increased range of motion was seen in all three groups that performed the modified cervical exercises, although the modified cervical exercises were performed for only a relatively short duration (four weeks), the exercises brought about an improvement in the forward head posture that was induced by using a smartphone.
In 2018 investigated the effects of scapular stabilization exercise on neck posture, muscle activity, pain, and quality of life in individuals with neck pain and forward head posture. Training the scapular stabilization group showed significant improvement on the craniovertebral angle, upper trapezius muscle activity, serratus anterior muscle. Study concluded that Scapular stabilization exercise can help improve the head posture and pain in the patients with neck pain and forward head posture. Controlling the muscular activities through scapular stabilization exercise also improves the patients' quality of life.
In 2018 investigated the effects of scapula movement on neck alignment and the muscles in patients with forward head posture, who has the structural changes around the neck caused from the forward head posture, when scapular stabilization exercise is applied. Scapular stabilization brought about improvement in posture through activation of the neck muscles, the lower trapezius, and the serratus anterior. Therefore, the intervention has a positive effect on neck alignment by reducing the compensatory movements of the muscles involved in forward head posture.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group A: Craniocervical flexion exercises | Experimental | Other: Craniocervical flexion exercisesExercise protocol were performed over a 4 week duration under the command of a supervisor. Subjects were asked not to obtain any other particular intervention for cervical ache. Command the subject to be in crook lying position. Lock their finger to place their finger below the skull and retract the lower jaw and retract chin as far as possible. |
| Group B: Scapular stabilization exercises | Experimental | Other: Scapular stabilization exercisesGroup B performed scapular stabilization workout for 30 minutes per session, three days a week for four weeks. The scapular stabilization exercises were made up of four stages |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 40 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Forward-head-posture
- Duration of wearing-the headscarf/hijab for a minimum of 5-years
- Females ho start wearing headscarf before or at the age of-20. Females having neck-pain for less-than-six-months or if they had any muscular spasm \& tenderness in the neck region.
- Pain being experienced in cervical spine area, which started from-superior-nuchal line-to the first thoracic vertebra.
- Pain radiating with or without any extensive radicular-symptoms towards other areas of body such as head and upper extremities.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Any red flags (tumor, osteoporosis, metabolic disorders, fracture, rheumatoid arthritis, resting-blood-pressure higher than 140/90 mmHg, prolonged-history of steroids abuse, continuous nerve root entrapment with two-or more-positive-neurologic-signs (muscle weakness involving cervical myotomes, abnormal upper limb deep-tendon-reflexes, or- -abnormal cervical dermatome.
- Already diagnosed with cervical spine-stenosis, showed bilateral upper limb symptoms.
- Any six weeks prior history of whiplash-injury or engaged in any type of treatment regarding neck pain from any-practitioner within the last month.
- History-of any previous-cervical or thoracic-spine-surgery-
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Craniocervical flexion exercisesCommand the subject to be in crook lying position. Lock their finger to place their finger below the skull and retract the lower jaw and retract chin as far as possible. Subject has to slightly raise his/he skull a few centimeters. Fingers should be touching the cranium but not supporting it. Subject had to respire and hold the position. Subject has the move out the chin. Stop exercise and restart again. Perform this exercise for 10 times by holding this position for 20 sec at the start of the exercise, increasing it by 10 seconds every session commonly underwent pectoralis minor stretching before every session of exercise of 4 sets with 30 second's hold | Other | Group A: Craniocervical flexion exercises |
| Scapular stabilization exercisesThe scapular stabilization exercises were made up of four stages: (1) In supine position, the patient was commanded to deep respire for the sake of relaxation by maintain the cervical and shoulder in relaxing position to take a deep breath to relax the body while holding her shoulders and neck in relaxing position. (2) The patient then flex her knees and placed her feet flat on the plinth, and maintain the pose without any cervical movement. Then the patient asked to raise her dominant arm to 90° shoulder flexion with full elbow extension and scapular protraction. This position was sustained for 10 seconds before going to initial position. Three laps of 10 repetitions with one-minute interval in between were performed. (3) In quadruped position, the patient raise her arms alternatively with shoulder abduction and 120 ° flexion. That posture was held for 10 seconds before returning to the starting position. (4) In sitting position | Other | Group B: Scapular stabilization exercises |
Primary outcome
Neck disability index
Time frame: 4th week
Changes from base line Northwick disability index was developed first in Northwick Park hospital, England. It was designed to measure the neck pain and disability over time. It consists of 10, five parts sections. At the end, score is calculated by dividing the obtained score by total (50) multiplied by 100. As the driving section was missing in all the female patients, total score was considered as 45 instead of 50
Numeric Pain Rating Scale
Time frame: 4th week
Changes from base Line Numeric Pain rating scale is a scale for pain starting from 0-10. where 0 indicate no pain and 10 indicate severe pain.
ROM Cervical Spine ( Flexion)
Time frame: 4th week
Changes from the Baseline ROM range of Motion of Cervical spine flexion was taken with the Help of Goniometer
ROM Cervical Spine ( extension)
Time frame: 4th week
Changes from the Baseline ROM range of Motion of Cervical spine extension was taken with the Help of Goniometer
ROM Cervical Spine ( Right side flexion)
Time frame: 4th week
Changes from the Baseline ROM range of Motion of Cervical spine right side flexion was taken with the Help of Goniometer
ROM Cervical Spine ( left side Flexion)
Time frame: 4th week
Changes from the Baseline ROM range of Motion of Cervical spine left side flexion was taken with the Help of Goniometer
ROM Cervical Spine ( right rotation)
Time frame: 4th week
Changes from the Baseline ROM range of Motion of Cervical spine right rotation was taken with the Help of Goniometer
ROM Cervical Spine ( left rotation)
Time frame: 4th week
Changes from the Baseline ROM range of Motion of Cervical spine left rotation was taken with the Help of Goniometer
Plumb Line
Time frame: 4th week
Participants were requested to wear the suitable attire to properly expose the areas being examined e.g thoracic \& cervical spine. The lobe of ear, the seventh cervical vertebra, acromion process, the thoracic spine and lateral malleolus were used as landmarks for measuring the head posture
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 22 Sep 2020.
- Background: PubMed 25250268Nejati P, Lotfian S, Moezy A, Moezy A, Nejati M. The relationship of forward head posture and rounded shoulders with neck pain in Iranian office workers. Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2014 May 3;28:26. eCollection 2014.
- Background: PubMed 26957772Kim JY, Kwag KI. Clinical effects of deep cervical flexor muscle activation in patients with chronic neck pain. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016 Jan;28(1):269-73. doi: 10.1589/jpts.28.269. Epub 2016 Jan 30.
- Background: PubMed 26261425Lopez-de-Uralde-Villanueva I, Beltran-Alacreu H, Paris-Alemany A, Angulo-Diaz-Parreno S, La Touche R. Relationships between craniocervical posture and pain-related disability in patients with cervico-craniofacial pain. J Pain Res. 2015 Jul 30;8:449-58. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S84668. eCollection 2015.
- Background: PubMed 24421611Dunleavy K, Goldberg A. Comparison of cervical range of motion in two seated postural conditions in adults 50 or older with cervical pain. J Man Manip Ther. 2013 Feb;21(1):33-9. doi: 10.1179/2042618612Y.0000000017.
- Background: PubMed 32423454Benatto MT, Florencio LL, Bragatto MM, Dach F, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C, Bevilaqua-Grossi D. Neck-specific strengthening exercise compared with sham ultrasound when added to home-stretching exercise in patients with migraine: study protocol of a two-armed, parallel-groups randomized controlled trial. Chiropr Man Therap. 2020 May 19;28(1):22. doi: 10.1186/s12998-020-00313-w.
- Background: PubMed 30486819Blomgren J, Strandell E, Jull G, Vikman I, Roijezon U. Effects of deep cervical flexor training on impaired physiological functions associated with chronic neck pain: a systematic review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2018 Nov 28;19(1):415. doi: 10.1186/s12891-018-2324-z.
- Background: PubMed 30881101Suvarnnato T, Puntumetakul R, Uthaikhup S, Boucaut R. Effect of specific deep cervical muscle exercises on functional disability, pain intensity, craniovertebral angle, and neck-muscle strength in chronic mechanical neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. J Pain Res. 2019 Mar 7;12:915-925. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S190125. eCollection 2019.
- Background: PubMed 28099504Rudolfsson T, Bjorklund M, Svedmark A, Srinivasan D, Djupsjobacka M. Direction-Specific Impairments in Cervical Range of Motion in Women with Chronic Neck Pain: Influence of Head Posture and Gravitationally Induced Torque. PLoS One. 2017 Jan 18;12(1):e0170274. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170274. eCollection 2017.
- Background: PubMed 27941995Yang CC, Su FC, Yang PC, Lin HT, Guo LY. Characteristics of the Motor Units during Sternocleidomastoid Isometric Flexion among Patients with Mechanical Neck Disorder and Asymptomatic Individuals. PLoS One. 2016 Dec 12;11(12):e0167737. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167737. eCollection 2016.
- Background: PubMed 28826164Hidalgo B, Hall T, Bossert J, Dugeny A, Cagnie B, Pitance L. The efficacy of manual therapy and exercise for treating non-specific neck pain: A systematic review. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2017 Nov 6;30(6):1149-1169. doi: 10.3233/BMR-169615.
- Background: PubMed 30921975Coulter ID, Crawford C, Vernon H, Hurwitz EL, Khorsan R, Booth MS, Herman PM. Manipulation and Mobilization for Treating Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for an Appropriateness Panel. Pain Physician. 2019 Mar;22(2):E55-E70.
- Background: PubMed 28465824Groeneweg R, van Assen L, Kropman H, Leopold H, Mulder J, Smits-Engelsman BCM, Ostelo RWJG, Oostendorp RAB, van Tulder MW. Manual therapy compared with physical therapy in patients with non-specific neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. Chiropr Man Therap. 2017 Apr 28;25:12. doi: 10.1186/s12998-017-0141-3. eCollection 2017.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Rabiya Noor, PHD principal investigator
Riphah International University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Craniocervical flexion exercises and Scapular stabilization exercises in people with Cervical Pain, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Sep 2020. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Neck disability index (time frame: 4th week). The study lists 9 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04557904, which also lists 16 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 Sep 2020.