Forward Head PostureNCT07838623
Comparison Between Kaltenborn and Mulligan Mobilization in Forward Head Posture
A study testing Kaltenborn mobilization and Mulligan Mobilization in people with Forward Head Posture, run by Foundation University Islamabad at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial will compare the effectiveness of Kaltenborn mobilization and Mulligan mobilization in individuals with Forward Head Posture. The study will compare their effects in neck pain, craniovertebral angle, cervical range of motion, cervical proprioception, and deep neck flexor endurance… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Forward Head Posture
- What is being tested?
- Kaltenborn mobilization and Mulligan Mobilization
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 44 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 22 Jul 2026to 18 Jan 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
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 40 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Both male and female
- aged between 18 to 40 years
- CVA of <48
- Pain on NPRS 3-8
- Hypo-mobility of cervical spine
- Joint Position Error > 4.5 in any of the cervical range
- Participants who gave consent
Who cannot join
- Acute musculoskeletal injuries of the cervical spine and shoulder in the last 6 months
- Diagnosed cases of pathological conditions like spondylosis, cervical myelopathy
- Whiplash injury of cervical spine in last 6 months
- Neck and shoulder surgery
- Diagnosed cases of osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension
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
Foundation University College of Physical Therapy
Islamabad, Punjab Province, 44000
Quratulain Saeed, MS-OMPT, +92331 5562889, quratulain.saeed@fui.edu.pk
About this study
This randomized controlled trial will compare the effectiveness of Kaltenborn mobilization and Mulligan mobilization in individuals with Forward Head Posture.
The study will compare their effects in neck pain, craniovertebral angle, cervical range of motion, cervical proprioception, and deep neck flexor endurance after a two-week treatment program.
Read the detailed description
Participants aged 18-40 years will be recruited and randomly allocated into two groups of through purposive sampling. Group A will receive Kaltenborn mobilization, progressing from Grades I-II to Grade III, while Group B will receive Mulligan SNAGs with gradually increased repetitions and overpressure. Both groups will also receive conventional treatment three times weekly for two weeks, completing six sessions with progression according to symptoms and tolerance.
- Conditions
- Forward Head Posture
- Being tested
- Kaltenborn mobilization, Mulligan Mobilization
- Keywords
- Cervical Pain, Priprioception, Joint Range of Motion
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Kaltenborn mobilizationProcedure or surgery
All participants will receive conventional treatment consisting of a 10-minute hot pack and active cervical range-of-motion exercises. The program will also include postural correction exercises, with stretching of tight cervical and shoulder muscles and strengthening of the deep neck flexors and scapular stabilizers. Kaltenborn mobilization involves applying graded, sustained cervical joint glides and distraction to hypomobile segments, beginning with Grade I-II techniques for pain relief and progressing to Grade III to improve joint mobility and reduce stiffness.
Mulligan MobilizationProcedure or surgery
All participants will receive conventional treatment consisting of a 10-minute hot pack and active cervical range-of-motion exercises. The program will also include postural correction exercises, with stretching of tight cervical and shoulder muscles and strengthening of the deep neck flexors and scapular stabilizers. Mulligan mobilization (SNAGs) involves applying a sustained anterosuperior glide to the affected cervical segment while the participant actively performs the restricted movement in a pain-free range, with gentle overpressure added at the end range as tolerated.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Kaltenborn mobilization group | Experimental | Not described Receives: Procedure: Kaltenborn mobilization |
| Mulligan mobilization group | Experimental | Not described Receives: Procedure: Mulligan Mobilization |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Cervical Pain
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) will be used to measure Pain, 0 means no pain and 10 means worst pain ever.
Measured: Baseline and after 2 weeks of treatment.
Cervical Range of Motion
A bubble inclinometer will be used to measure cervical range of motion.
Measured: Baseline and after 2 weeks of treatment
CranioVertebral Angle
Kinovea software will be used to measure Craniovertebral Angle.
Measured: baseline and after 2 weeks of treatment.
Cervical Joint Proprioception
Cervical Joint Proprioception will be measured via Joint position error test.
Measured: Baseline and after 2 weeks of treatment
Deep Neck Flexor Muscle Endurance
Deep Neck Flexor Muscle Endurance will be measured by Deep Neck Flexor Muscle Endurance test.
Measured: Baseline and after 2 weeks of treatment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Sep 2026
- Study start22 Jul 2026
- Primary completion18 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion18 Jan 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Forward Head PostureStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Foundation University Islamabad
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07838623
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- FUIFUCP/CTR/MSMSK/NehaJamshaid
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 24 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No