CHILD SyndromeNCT07248748
Effects of Alexander Technique in Children With Upper Cross Syndrome.
A study testing Alexander technique and Corrective exercises in people with CHILD Syndrome, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This randomized clinical trial will involve 50 participants aged 13 to 16, recruited from Faisal Hospital Faisalabad and different schools nearby. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the Alexander Technique group, which will include home-based exercises supervised by parents, or a control group performing… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 13 to 16 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- CHILD Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- Alexander technique and Corrective exercises
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 36 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 28 Oct 2025to 30 Jan 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 13 to 16 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Age between 13 -16
- School going children
Who cannot join
- Participants with signs of:
- Fractures
- Surgeries
- Joint problems
- Injuries in the spine
- Skeletal-muscular imbalances
- Lower limb cross syndrome abnormal BMI participants engaging in regular physical activity for at least 6 h per week
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Pakistan1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Muhammad Asif Javed
Lahore, Punjab Province, 54900
imran Javed, PHD, 9233224390125, imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk
Muhammad Asif javed, MS-PT, 923224209422, a.javed@riphah.edu.pk
About this study
This randomized clinical trial will involve 50 participants aged 13 to 16, recruited from Faisal Hospital Faisalabad and different schools nearby. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the Alexander Technique group, which will include home-based exercises supervised by parents, or a control group performing traditional posture-corrective exercises. The outcomes will be measured using tools such as the Cranio-Vertebral Angle (CVA), Shoulder Protraction Measurement (SPM), Thoracic Kyphotic Angle (TKA), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain assessment. The findings are expected to provide insights into the benefits of the Alexander Technique as a therapeutic strategy for addressing UCS and improving overall health outcomes in adolescents. Data collection will be done before and after the intervention. Data will be analyzed through SPSS version 26.00.
Read the detailed description
Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS) is a common postural disorder characterized by muscle imbalances resulting from prolonged use of electronic devices, leading to symptoms such as forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and increased thoracic kyphosis. This condition predominantly affects young adults and is associated with discomfort and decreased postural stability, negatively impacting overall physical function. The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the Alexander Technique (AT) in improving pain levels and range of motion (ROM) in individuals with Upper Cross Syndrome. By focusing on the principles of optimal body use and postural awareness, the Alexander Technique may offer a valuable intervention to alleviate symptoms and enhance Range of motion.
This randomized clinical trial will involve 50 participants aged 13 to 16, recruited from Faisal Hospital Faisalabad and different schools nearby. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the Alexander Technique group, which will include home-based exercises supervised by parents, or a control group performing traditional posture-corrective exercises. The outcomes will be measured using tools such as the Cranio-Vertebral Angle (CVA), Shoulder Protraction Measurement (SPM), Thoracic Kyphotic Angle (TKA), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain assessment. The findings are expected to provide insights into the benefits of the Alexander Technique as a therapeutic strategy for addressing UCS and improving overall health outcomes in adolescents. Data collection will be done before and after the intervention. Data will be analyzed through SPSS version 26.00.
- Conditions
- CHILD Syndrome
- Being tested
- Alexander technique, Corrective exercises
- Keywords
- Upper Cross Syndrome, Alexander Technique
- Medical subject headings
- Congenital Hemidysplasia with Ichthyosiform Erythroderma and Limb Defects, Oculocerebral hypopigmentation syndrome type Preus
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Alexander techniqueOther
In the AT group, parents will supervise the patients exercises at home base on the explanations and training the corrective movements specialist provided in the first session. In the AT group, adolescents were taught the considerations and habits they should remember and focus on daily basis. These included teaching ergonomic considerations and individual postural habits during daily activities such as standing, walking, sitting, sleeping, reading, using a computer, and other repetitive and continuous activities performed during the day.
Corrective exercisesOther
The Corrective exercises will be done in home base setting, and the corrective movements' specialist will be responsible for supervising their performance twice a week. Selected CE will designed to correct posture and address the mentioned abnormalities through stretching exercises for shortened muscles and strengthening exercises for individuals with weak muscles. These exercises will include a 5-10-minute warm-up followed by stretching exercises for the chest, hip- flexor-psoas, upper trapezius, intercostal muscles, upper neck extensors, and then strengthening exercises for the shoulder protractors, deep neck flexors, lower neck extensors, and thoracic spine extensors
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| GROUP A | Active comparator | control group Receives: Other: Corrective exercises |
| GROUP B | Active comparator | interventional group Receives: Other: Alexander technique |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Cranio-vertebral angle (CVA)
Cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) is the most widely known measurement method used to determine how forward the head is tilted in a person in FHP. For CVA measurement, the digital camera (Canon 650D, Canon, Japan) was fixed and mounted at a distance of 1m, and the side of the subject was photographed, for accurate measurement of CVA, a plumb line suspended from the ceiling was allowed to descend directly next to the subject.Subjects were instructed to stand comfortably with both arms relaxed on the side of the trunk and maintain a natural head posture.
CVA was defined as the angle between the horizontal line and the line from the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra to the ear tragus. The CV angle means that the smaller the angle, the greater the flexion of the lower cervical spine
Measured: 8 weeks
Shoulder Protraction Measurement (SPM)
The complexity of these combined motions as well as the thick surrounding soft tissues present challenges to accurate angular measurement of scapular motion. However, observing these scapular motions superiorly provides a perspective of the superficial acromion as an indicator of scapular position relative to the medial superior angle and therein may lie the opportunity for goniometric assessment.
Measured: 8 weeks
Thoracic Kyphotic Angle (TKA)
The thoracic kyphotic angle (TKA) is defined as the angle formed by the intersection of two lines drawn along the superior endplate of the uppermost thoracic vertebra and the inferior endplate of the lowermost thoracic vertebra. This angle is crucial for assessing spinal alignment and postural abnormalities.
Measured: 8 weeks
Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
VAS is widely used as a measure of pain intensity in globally. It has been shown that VAS is valid, reliable and interval scale. VAS has high testretest reliability and repeatability. In this VAS, it has a continuous scale consist of a horizontal and vertical line that called vertical VAS and horizontal visual analog scale.
Measured: 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Nov 2025
- Study start28 Oct 2025
- Primary completion25 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Jan 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for CHILD SyndromeStudies 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This randomized clinical trial will involve 50 participants aged 13 to 16, recruited from Faisal Hospital Faisalabad and different schools nearby. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the Alexander Technique group, which will include home-based exercises supervised by parents, or a control group performing traditional posture-corrective exercises. The outcomes will be measured using tools such as the Cranio-Vertebral Angle (CVA), Shoulder Protraction Measurement (SPM), Thoracic Kyphotic Angle (TKA), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain assessment. The findings are expected to provide insights into the benefits of the Alexander Technique as a therapeutic strategy for addressing UCS and improving overall health outcomes in adolescents. Data collection will be done before and after the intervention. Data will be analyzed through SPSS version 26.00.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Shanza Chaudhary, MS-PT, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07248748
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/RCR&AHS/SHANZACHAUDHARY
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 18 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 25 Nov 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
O'Neill MM, Anderson DI, Allen DD, Ross C, Hamel KA. Effects of Alexander Technique training experience on gait behavior in older adults. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2015 Jul;19(3):473-81. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2014.12.006. Epub 2015 Jan 7.
PubMed 26118520
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Nov 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Alexander Technique in Children With Upper Cross Syndrome.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07248748
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/RCR&AHS/SHANZACHAUDHARY
- Conditions
- CHILD Syndrome
- Keywords
- Upper Cross Syndrome, Alexander Technique
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 28 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 25 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 25 Nov 2025 (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.
This randomized clinical trial will involve 50 participants aged 13 to 16, recruited from Faisal Hospital Faisalabad and different schools nearby. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the Alexander Technique group, which will include home-based exercises supervised by parents, or a control group performing traditional posture-corrective exercises. The outcomes will be measured using tools such as the Cranio-Vertebral Angle (CVA), Shoulder Protraction Measurement (SPM), Thoracic Kyphotic Angle (TKA), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain assessment. The findings are expected to provide insights into the benefits of the Alexander Technique as a therapeutic strategy for addressing UCS and improving overall health outcomes in adolescents. Data collection will be done before and after the intervention. Data will be analyzed through SPSS version 26.00.
Detailed description
Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS) is a common postural disorder characterized by muscle imbalances resulting from prolonged use of electronic devices, leading to symptoms such as forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and increased thoracic kyphosis. This condition predominantly affects young adults and is associated with discomfort and decreased postural stability, negatively impacting overall physical function. The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the Alexander Technique (AT) in improving pain levels and range of motion (ROM) in individuals with Upper Cross Syndrome. By focusing on the principles of optimal body use and postural awareness, the Alexander Technique may offer a valuable intervention to alleviate symptoms and enhance Range of motion.
This randomized clinical trial will involve 50 participants aged 13 to 16, recruited from Faisal Hospital Faisalabad and different schools nearby. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the Alexander Technique group, which will include home-based exercises supervised by parents, or a control group performing traditional posture-corrective exercises. The outcomes will be measured using tools such as the Cranio-Vertebral Angle (CVA), Shoulder Protraction Measurement (SPM), Thoracic Kyphotic Angle (TKA), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain assessment. The findings are expected to provide insights into the benefits of the Alexander Technique as a therapeutic strategy for addressing UCS and improving overall health outcomes in adolescents. Data collection will be done before and after the intervention. Data will be analyzed through SPSS version 26.00.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- This randomized clinical trial will involve 50 participants aged 13 to 16, recruited from Faisal Hospital Faisalabad and different schools nearby. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the Alexander Technique group, which will include home-based exercises supervised by parents, or a control group performing traditional posture-corrective exercises. The outcomes will be measured using tools such as the Cranio-Vertebral Angle (CVA), Shoulder Protraction Measurement (SPM), Thoracic Kyphotic Angle (TKA), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain assessment. The findings are expected to provide insights into the benefits of the Alexander Technique as a therapeutic strategy for addressing UCS and improving overall health outcomes in adolescents. Data collection will be done before and after the intervention. Data will be analyzed through SPSS version 26.00.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| GROUP A | Active comparator | Other: Corrective exercisescontrol group |
| GROUP B | Active comparator | Other: Alexander techniqueinterventional group |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 13 to 16 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Age between 13 -16
- School going children
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Participants with signs of:
- Fractures
- Surgeries
- Joint problems
- Injuries in the spine
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander techniqueIn the AT group, parents will supervise the patients exercises at home base on the explanations and training the corrective movements specialist provided in the first session. In the AT group, adolescents were taught the considerations and habits they should remember and focus on daily basis. These included teaching ergonomic considerations and individual postural habits during daily activities such as standing, walking, sitting, sleeping, reading, using a computer, and other repetitive and continuous activities performed during the day. | Other | GROUP B |
| Corrective exercisesThe Corrective exercises will be done in home base setting, and the corrective movements' specialist will be responsible for supervising their performance twice a week. Selected CE will designed to correct posture and address the mentioned abnormalities through stretching exercises for shortened muscles and strengthening exercises for individuals with weak muscles. These exercises will include a 5-10-minute warm-up followed by stretching exercises for the chest, hip- flexor-psoas, upper trapezius, intercostal muscles, upper neck extensors, and then strengthening exercises for the shoulder protractors, deep neck flexors, lower neck extensors, and thoracic spine extensors | Other | GROUP A |
Primary outcome
Cranio-vertebral angle (CVA)
Time frame: 8 weeks
Cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) is the most widely known measurement method used to determine how forward the head is tilted in a person in FHP. For CVA measurement, the digital camera (Canon 650D, Canon, Japan) was fixed and mounted at a distance of 1m, and the side of the subject was photographed, for accurate measurement of CVA, a plumb line suspended from the ceiling was allowed to descend directly next to the subject.Subjects were instructed to stand comfortably with both arms relaxed on the side of the trunk and maintain a natural head posture. CVA was defined as the angle between the horizontal line and the line from the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra to the ear tragus. The CV angle means that the smaller the angle, the greater the flexion of the lower cervical spine
Shoulder Protraction Measurement (SPM)
Time frame: 8 weeks
The complexity of these combined motions as well as the thick surrounding soft tissues present challenges to accurate angular measurement of scapular motion. However, observing these scapular motions superiorly provides a perspective of the superficial acromion as an indicator of scapular position relative to the medial superior angle and therein may lie the opportunity for goniometric assessment.
Thoracic Kyphotic Angle (TKA)
Time frame: 8 weeks
The thoracic kyphotic angle (TKA) is defined as the angle formed by the intersection of two lines drawn along the superior endplate of the uppermost thoracic vertebra and the inferior endplate of the lowermost thoracic vertebra. This angle is crucial for assessing spinal alignment and postural abnormalities.
Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
Time frame: 8 weeks
VAS is widely used as a measure of pain intensity in globally. It has been shown that VAS is valid, reliable and interval scale. VAS has high testretest reliability and repeatability. In this VAS, it has a continuous scale consist of a horizontal and vertical line that called vertical VAS and horizontal visual analog scale.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 25 Nov 2025.
- Background: PubMed 26118520O'Neill MM, Anderson DI, Allen DD, Ross C, Hamel KA. Effects of Alexander Technique training experience on gait behavior in older adults. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2015 Jul;19(3):473-81. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2014.12.006. Epub 2015 Jan 7.
- 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.
Shanza Chaudhary, MS-PT 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 Alexander technique and Corrective exercises in people with CHILD Syndrome, 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 2 inclusion and 7 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Nov 2025. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Imran Amjad, PhD (9233224390125, imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) (time frame: 8 weeks). The study lists 4 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 NCT07248748, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 25 Nov 2025.