Effect of Myofascial Release Therapy on University Students With Text Neck Syndrome.

Effect of Myofascial Release Therapy on Neck Pain, Perceived Stress and Forward Head Posture in University Students With Text Neck Syndrome.

This randomized controlled trial aims to determine the effectiveness of myofascial release therapy in university students with text neck syndrome as prolonged smartphone and digital gadgets use has been associated with neck pain, forward head posture, and increased perceived stress among young adults with screen time more than 3 hours. Participants will be randomly allocated into control group and intervention group and will be treated for 4 weeks. Clinical outcomes including neck pain, neck pain intensity, craniovertebral angle for posture assessment, and perceived stress levels will be measured at baseline and post-intervention. The study seeks to determine whether Myofascial Release Therapy acts as a non-invasive technique in improving musculoskeletal and psychosocial parameters related to text neck.

Text Neck Syndrome is a growing musculoskeletal concern among university students due to prolonged use of smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices in a posture that involves prolonged neck flexion. Sustained cervical flexion postures contribute to mechanical neck pain, reduced craniovertebral angle, muscular tightness, and increased psychological stress. Early intervention is important to prevent chronic dysfunction and long-term disability.

This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial involving university students who meet the inclusion criteria for Text Neck Syndrome. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned into two groups: an experimental group receiving Myofascial Release Therapy and a control group receiving conventional physiotherapy consisting of postural correction strategies and structured stretching exercises.

The intervention will be delivered for 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Outcome measures will be recorded at baseline and after completion of the intervention period. Outcome variables include neck pain assessed using VAS , neck pain intensity measured through the Neck Disability Index, forward head posture quantified using craniovertebral angle measurement through a valid and reliable software; Kinovea Software and perceived stress assessed using PSS-10.

Data will be analyzed to compare within-group and between-group differences to determine the relative effectiveness of Myofascial Release Therapy in improving musculoskeletal alignment, reducing neck pain and addressing stress-related components associated with Text Neck Syndrome.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1. university students from age group of 18-30 2. Both genders 3. Students with Text Neck Syndrome diagnosed via Forward head Posture (through measuring craniovertebral angle) <50° 4. Minimum Pain measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ≥ 3/10 5. Pain Intensity measured through Neck Disability Index (NDI > 10%) 6. A PSS-10 Score of >14 in individuals with daily gadget use and FHP. 7. Usage of handheld digital gadgets including smartphones and tablets ≥ 3 hours

Exclusion Criteria:

• 1. History of cervical trauma, surgery or any spine deformity which is congenital 2. History of diagnosed cervical disorders i.e cervical spondylosis, cervical spondylolisthesis, disc herniation 3. Any diagnosed neurological condition which affects cognition or any previous cervical spine surgery 4. Any history of diagnosed anxiety and psychiatric conditions 5. Currently receiving any form of physical therapy or using any muscle relaxants or painkillers