Comparative Effects of Kendall and Feldenkrais Exercise in Upper Crossed Syndrome

Comparative Effects of Kendall and Feldenkrais Exercise on Pain, Cervical Position Sense, Craniovertebral Angle and Function in Upper Crossed Syndrome

Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS) is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder characterized by muscular imbalances and postural dysfunction. Kendall Method and Feldenkrais Method are physiotherapy exercise programs aimed at reducing pain and improving cervical position sense, CV angle and function. This study compares their effects on pain, CV angle, cervical position sense, and disability in individuals with upper cross syndrome. This will be a randomized Controlled trial conducted on 72 participants. Data will be collected from Sikander Medical Complex, Gujranwala by using non-probability convenience sampling technique. Adults aged 20 to 50 years with upper cross syndrome, confirmed by Craniovertebral Angle less than 50 degrees and experiencing symptoms for more than four weeks, will be included in this study. Individuals with cervical spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, disc prolapse, trauma-related cervical injuries, or a history of shoulder surgery will be excluded. Group A will receive Kendall Method along with conservative physiotherapy, while Group B will receive Feldenkrais Method combined with conservative physiotherapy. Each session will last 30 minutes-40 minutes for the primary intervention and 15-20 minutes for conventional therapy-administered three times per week for five weeks. Pre- and post-treatment evaluations will include the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), CV angle (measured via Image J), Cervical position Sense (assessed via HRE) and functional disability (measured via NDI). Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 27.0.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male subjects between 20-50 years
• Female subjects between 20-50 years
• Cranio-vertebral angle less than 50 degrees
• Subjects who had been experiencing neck pain for more than 3 months
• Slouched sitting for more than four hours per day
• Usage of handheld devices while reading, working, and travelling
• Pain intensity score between 4 to 10 on NPRS
• NDI>10 scores between 10 and 34
• Tight pectoralis major muscle

Exclusion Criteria:

• Surgeries of the cervical spine within past 1 year
• Surgeries or fracture to the shoulder joint
• Cervical instability
• Cervical Radiculopathy
• Neurological disorders such as cervical spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, disc prolapse and rheumatic disease