Comparative Effects of Egoscue and Feldenkrais Exercises on in Upper Cross Syndrome

Comparative Effects of Egoscue and Feldenkrais Exercises on Pain, Craniovertebral Angle and Functional Disability in Upper Cross Syndrome

Upper cross syndrome is a common postural dysfunction that is caused due to alternating tightness and weakness in the opposite muscle groups of the neck, shoulders and upper back which results in abnormal postural deviations. The aim of the study will be to compare the effects of Egoscue exercises and Feldenkrais exercises on pain, craniovertebral angle and functional disability in upper cross syndrome.

A Randomized clinical trial will be conducted at Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore and Riphah clinic, Lahore through non probability convenience sampling technique on 54 patients which will be allocated using simple random sampling through sealed opaque envelop into Group A and Group B. Group A will be treated with Egoscue exercises and conventional therapy and Group B will be treated with Feldenkrais exercises and conventional therapy at the frequency of 3 sets with 10 repetitions thrice a week. Outcome measures will be conducted through pain, craniovertebral angle and functional disability after 4 weeks. Data will be analyzed with SPSS software version 26. After assessing the normality of data by Shapiro-Wilk test, it will be decided either parametric or non- parametric will be used within the group or between the groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 25 to 45 years
• Both genders (male and female)
• Chronic neck pain for more than three months - NPRS (3 to 7)
• Craniovertebral angle less than 50 degrees
• Tight Pectoralis muscle and trapezius
• Weak rhomboids and deep neck flexors

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any malignancy related to soft tissue and shoulder joint
• Congenital joint deformity
• Recent fractures to joint
• Recent surgery of shoulder joint or associated structures
• Patients with shoulder dislocation