Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Neck pain is becoming increasingly common in school-aged children, mainly due to prolonged use of electronic devices and poor posture (especially forward head posture), often referred to as "text neck syndrome." Other contributing factors include sedentary lifestyles, heavy school bags, and rapid growth during adolescence. While this issue has been widely studied in adults and teenagers, research focusing on younger children is limited. This study aims to evaluate the effects of fun-game activities, cervical stretching exercises, and postural education in reducing neck pain and improving posture among school-going children.
This study will utilize a controlled trial design. Data collection will take place at two educational institutions in Sialkot: The Spirit School and the Concept School System, located on Paris Road .It will be conducted over duration of eight weeks. A total of fourteen school-going teenagers with forward neck posture and neck pain will be selected. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups. Group A, the intervention group, will receive a structured cervical stretching and posture education program titled "fun-game activities" for eight weeks, with sessions conducted three days per week, each lasting 30 minutes. The exercise program will include a combination of warm-up activities, neck-specific and postural strengthening exercises (such as chin tucks, wall angels, tree pose, plank on knees, and balloon reach), and engaging cool-down or game-based tasks to maintain student motivation. Exercises will progress in complexity every two weeks to enhance cervical mobility and postural control. Group B will serve as the control group and will continue with baseline and their routine daily activities. Non-probability convenient sampling will be followed. The inclusion criteria for participation include teenagers of either gender with forward neck posture and associated neck pain. Exclusion criteria such as scoliosis, pain resulting from injuries like fractures, or having had undergone any surgical procedures. Data will be collected using three validated tools: a goniometer to measure cervical range of motion (flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral bending), the Neck Disability Index (NDI) to assess functional limitations due to neck pain, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to evaluate pain intensity.
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| fun game activities | Experimental | The experimental group will receive fun-game exercises and postural education along with baseline treatment |
|
| neck isometrics | Active Comparator | The active comparator will receive fun-game exercises and postural education along with baseline treatment |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| fun game activities | Other | The study will run for 10 months, with sessions 3 times per week (30 minutes each). Group A will follow an 8-week fun, structured program including warm-ups, posture exercises (e.g., chin tucks, wall angels, plank), and interactive games and breathing activities, progressing every two weeks. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Goniometer | A goniometer is a simple instrument used to measure the range of motion (ROM) of joints in the body. It is commonly used in physiotherapy and rehabilitation to assess joint angles and monitor progress over time. It typically consists of: A stationary arm (placed along a fixed body part) A movable arm (aligned with the moving body segment) A fulcrum or axis (placed over the joint being measured) The goniometer is used to evaluate movements such as flexion, extension, abduction, and rotation. It helps clinicians determine joint limitations, track improvements, and guide treatment plans. | 3rd Day |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| NDI Questionnaire | This questionnaire has been designed to give us information as to how your neck pain has affected your ability to manage in everyday life. Please answer every section and mark in each section only the one box that applies to you. We realise you may consider that two or more statements in any one section relate to you, but please just mark the box that most closely describes your problem. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Analogue Scale | The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is a simple and widely used tool to measure a person's pain intensity. It typically consists of a 10 cm straight line, where: One end represents "no pain" (0) The other end represents "worst possible pain" (10) The patient is asked to mark a point on the line that best represents their level of pain. The distance from the "no pain" end to the marked point is then measured and recorded as the pain score. VAS is easy to use, quick, and effective for tracking changes in pain over time in both clinical and research settings. |
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imran Amjad, PhD | Contact | 03324390125 | imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk | |
| Muhammad Asif Javed, PhD* | Contact | +923224209422 | a.javed@riphah.edu.pk |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Armeeza Naseer, MS | Riphah International University | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Spirit School | Recruiting | Sialkot | Punjab Province | Pakistan |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33562204 | Background | David D, Giannini C, Chiarelli F, Mohn A. Text Neck Syndrome in Children and Adolescents. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Feb 7;18(4):1565. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18041565. | |
| 15109969 | Background | Brattberg G. Do pain problems in young school children persist into early adulthood? A 13-year follow-up. Eur J Pain. 2004 Jun;8(3):187-99. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2003.08.001. |
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D019547 | Neck Pain |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D010146 | Pain |
| D009461 | Neurologic Manifestations |
| D012816 | Signs and Symptoms |
| D013568 | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |
Not provided
Not provided
The study will be conducted over 10 months, with sessions held 3 times per week, each lasting 30 minutes. Participants will be divided into two groups.
Group A will follow an 8-week structured "Fun-Game Activities" program that includes warm-up exercises, key posture-focused exercises (such as chin tucks, wall angels, tree pose, and plank on knees), and interactive postural games and breathing activities. The program progresses every two weeks, gradually increasing exercise variety and engagement through playful activities like posture games, yoga, and movement-based tasks.
Group B will perform isometric neck exercises and continue their regular school routine without any additional structured intervention.
Overall, the intervention focuses on improving posture and reducing neck pain through a combination of exercises and engaging
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
|
| neck isometrics | Other | Group B will perform isometric neck exercises and continue normal school activities without additional structured training. The program aims to improve posture and reduce neck pain in children |
|
| 3rd Day |
| 3rd Day |
| 16481960 | Background | Hestbaek L, Leboeuf-Yde C, Kyvik KO, Manniche C. The course of low back pain from adolescence to adulthood: eight-year follow-up of 9600 twins. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2006 Feb 15;31(4):468-72. doi: 10.1097/01.brs.0000199958.04073.d9. |