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AzTrials

Text Neck SyndromeNCT07716137

Effects of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Sensory Motor Mismatch in Text Neck Syndrome.

A study testing IASTM + Conventional Physiotherapy in people with Text Neck Syndrome, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Text Neck Syndrome is increasingly common in young adults due to prolonged smartphone use and is linked to postural changes and impaired sensorimotor control. Although its effects on visual-vestibular integration, balance, and proprioception are still unknown, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) may… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 30 years
Conditions the study is for
Text Neck Syndrome
What is being tested?
IASTM + Conventional Physiotherapy
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
66 participants
Where
1 sitePakistan
Study dates
15 Jul 2026to 25 Dec 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 18 to 30 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Adults aged 18-30
  • Using the phone or computer for 3 h or more per day.
  • The presence of 3 out of the following 6 symptoms:
  • Neck pain (recurrent history of neck pain in the previous 4 months, a pain level greater than or equal to 4/10 on the NPRS (moderate pain))
  • Upper back pain,
  • Shoulder pain,
Show all 12Show fewer
  • Headache (tension type headache due to tension in sub-occipitals)
  • Insomnia
  • Tingling and numbness in the upper limbs
  • Cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) <48-50° on digital photogrammetry
  • Individuals having sensory-motor mismatch (positive Fukuda test:>45° degrees, abnormal dynamic visual acuity, positive cervical JPE>4.5°)
  • Voluntary participation

Who cannot join

  • History of cervical spine surgery, trauma, or fracture
  • Any diagnosed neurological disorders (cervical radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, etc.)
  • Any diagnosed MSK related issue (torticollis, scoliosis, diagnosed disc prolapse, stenosis, herniation, spondylolisthesis, osteoporosis, etc.)

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Ramsha Tariq, MS OMPT contact

03315251422

ramsha.tariq@riphah.edu.pk

Pakistan1 site

  • Railway General Hospital

    Rawalpindi, Punjab Province

    Ramsha Tariq, MS OMPT, 0331-5251422, ramsha.tariq@riphah.edu.pk

Other trials in Pakistan

About this study

Text Neck Syndrome is increasingly common in young adults due to prolonged smartphone use and is linked to postural changes and impaired sensorimotor control. Although its effects on visual-vestibular integration, balance, and proprioception are still unknown, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) may improve neuromuscular function by enhancing afferent input and mechanoreceptor stimulation. This study investigates whether IASTM can improve sensorimotor processing in individuals with Text Neck Syndrome.

Read the detailed description

This study aims to bridge that gap by investigating whether mechanical soft tissue stimulation can influence sensorimotor processing, balance and proprioception in individuals with Text Neck Syndrome. The study design used for this literature would be Randomized Control Trial, consisting of two groups; Experimental group (IASTM) \& Control group (conventional treatment). Study sample is 66 participants meeting the inclusion criteria chosen according to non-probability convenient sampling. 33 participants will be to each of the control and interventional group. IASTM is applied using stainless steel Garston tools along with the conventional therapy for experimental group while control group will be given conventional therapy only. Two sessions will be given per week and total eight sessions will be given over the period of one month. And results will be recorded at the base level, at fourth session and then at 8th session for both groups.

Being tested
IASTM + Conventional Physiotherapy, Conventional Physiotherapy (Exercise-based) (control group)
Keywords
IASTM, SENSORY MOTOR MISMATCH

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • IASTM + Conventional PhysiotherapyOther

    Participants will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in addition to conventional physiotherapy. IASTM will be applied to the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital muscles, and cervical extensors using stainless steel instruments. Conventional therapy will include cervical isometric exercises, deep cervical flexor activation, scapular strengthening exercises, stretching exercises, thoracic extension exercises, and postural re-education. Treatment will be administered twice weekly for 4 weeks (8 sessions total).

  • Conventional Physiotherapy (Exercise-based) (control group)Other

    Participants will receive conventional physiotherapy consisting of cervical isometric strengthening exercises, deep cervical flexor activation exercises, scapular strengthening exercises, stretching exercises, thoracic extension exercises, and postural re-education. Treatment will be administered twice weekly for 4 weeks (8 sessions total).

Study groups in NCT07716137
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Experimental: IASTM + Conventional PhysiotherapyExperimentalParticipants will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in addition to conventional physiotherapy. IASTM will be applied to the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital muscles, and cervical extensors using stainless steel instruments. Conventional therapy will include cervical isometric exercises, deep cervical flexor activation, scapular strengthening exercises, stretching exercises, thoracic extension exercises, and postural re-education. Treatment will be administered twice weekly for 4 weeks (8 sessions total).
Receives: Other: IASTM + Conventional Physiotherapy
Conventional Physiotherapy (Exercise-based) (control group)Active comparatorParticipants will receive conventional physiotherapy consisting of cervical isometric strengthening exercises, deep cervical flexor activation exercises, scapular strengthening exercises, stretching exercises, thoracic extension exercises, and postural re-education. Treatment will be administered twice weekly for 4 weeks (8 sessions total).
Receives: Other: Conventional Physiotherapy (Exercise-based) (control group)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Fukuda stepping test - vestibular deviation

    • Evaluates vestibulospinal reflex integrity by observing angular deviation during stepping in place with eyes closed. It indicates asymmetry in vestibular or sensory motor control. The FST is based on vestibulospinal reflex and widely used for evaluation of labyrinthine function. The significant displacement or rotation (more than 45°) is considered abnormal and suggest a vestibular imbalance.

    Measured: 4 weeks

  2. Dynamic visual acuity test

    ● Assesses visual vestibular interaction by measuring visual acuity during active head movement. It detects gaze instability caused by impaired vestibulo- ocular reflex (VOR) and sensory-motor mismatch. A difference of two or more lines on eye-chart than seen in static visual acuity is considered abnormal.

    Measured: 4 weeks

Secondary outcomes (3)

  1. Cervical Joint Position Error (JPE) Test

    A clinical test used to assess cervical proprioceptive accuracy by measuring a person's ability to relocate their head to a neutral position after active neck movement. It quantifies repositioning errors that may result from altered cervical joint and muscle spindle function, commonly seen in neck pain and after muscle fatigue. The deviation of 7.1 cm is equivalent to 4.5° thus, the joint position error of greater than 4.5° is considered as positive.

    Measured: 4 weeks

  2. Berg Balance Scale (BBS)

    A 14-item observational tool called the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is used to evaluate both static and dynamic balance while doing functional tasks. Its overall score is 56, where a score of less than 45 indicates a higher danger of falling.

    Measured: 4 weeks

  3. Universal Goniometer

    A manual instrument used to assess active cervical spine range of motion (flexion, extension, rotation, and side-bending). It provides quantitative data for cervical mobility changes.

    Measured: 4 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted21 Jul 2026
  2. Study start15 Jul 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion15 Dec 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion25 Dec 2026 (estimated)

Resources

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
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Participant
Enrolment
66 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07716137
Sponsor's protocol ID
RCRAHS-ISB/REC/MS-PT/02433
Status last verified
Jul 2026
First submitted
16 Jul 2026
Last updated
21 Jul 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • 1. Kumar N. Latest Smartphone Usage Statistics (2025 Data & Trends). Demandsage [Internet]. 2025.

  • Tsantili AR, Chrysikos D, Troupis T. Text Neck Syndrome: Disentangling a New Epidemic. Acta Med Acad. 2022 Aug;51(2):123-127. doi: 10.5644/ama2006-124.380.

    PubMed 36318004

  • Piruta J, Kulak W. Physiotherapy in Text Neck Syndrome: A Scoping Review of Current Evidence and Future Directions. J Clin Med. 2025 Feb 19;14(4):1386. doi: 10.3390/jcm14041386.

    PubMed 40004916

  • Kaya M, Ucgun H, Denizoglu Kulli H. The effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on individuals with text neck syndrome: A randomized controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Jul 26;103(30):e38716. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038716.

    PubMed 39058818

  • Mylonas K, Angelopoulos P, Billis E, Tsepis E, Fousekis K. Combining targeted instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization applications and neuromuscular exercises can correct forward head posture and improve the functionality of patients with mechanical neck pain: a randomized control study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021 Feb 21;22(1):212. doi: 10.1186/s12891-021-04080-4.

    PubMed 33612123

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing IASTM + Conventional Physiotherapy in people with Text Neck 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 12 inclusion and 3 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Jul 2026. 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 Ramsha Tariq, MS OMPT (03315251422, ramsha.tariq@riphah.edu.pk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Fukuda stepping test - vestibular deviation (time frame: 4 weeks). The study lists 2 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 NCT07716137, which also lists 5 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 21 Jul 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.

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