Effects of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Sensory Motor Mismatch in Text Neck Syndrome. | NCT07716137

NCT07716137

Overview

NCT ID: NCT07716137
Lead Sponsor: Riphah International UniversityOTHER
Official Title: Effects of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Sensory Motor Mismatch in Text Neck Syndrome.
Brief Summary: Text Neck Syndrome is increasingly common in young adults due to prolonged smartphone use and is linked to postural changes and impaired sensorimotor control. Although its effects on visual-vestibular integration, balance, and proprioception are still unknown, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) may improve neuromuscular function by enhancing afferent input and mechanoreceptor stimulation. This study investigates whether IASTM can improve sensorimotor processing in individuals with Text Neck Syndrome.
Conditions: Text Neck Syndrome
Interventions

Status and Timeline

Status: Not yet recruiting
Last Update Posted: Jul 21, 2026Actual
Start Date: Jul 15, 2026Estimated
Primary Completion Date: Dec 15, 2026Estimated
Completion Date

Participation Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study: Adult (18-64)
Sexes Eligible for Study: All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No
Eligibility Criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

Adults aged 18-30

Using the phone or computer for 3 h or more per day.

The presence of 3 out of the following 6 symptoms:

Neck pain (recurrent history of neck pain in the previous 4 months, a pain level greater than or equal to 4/10 on the NPRS (moderate pain))

Upper back pain,

Shoulder pain,

Headache (tension type headache due to tension in sub-occipitals)

Insomnia

Tingling and numbness in the upper limbs

Cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) <48-50° on digital photogrammetry

Individuals having sensory-motor mismatch (positive Fukuda test:>45° degrees, abnormal dynamic visual acuity, positive cervical JPE>4.5°)

Voluntary participation

Exclusion Criteria:

History of cervical spine surgery, trauma, or fracture

Any diagnosed neurological disorders (cervical radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, etc.)

Any diagnosed MSK related issue (torticollis, scoliosis, diagnosed disc prolapse, stenosis, herniation, spondylolisthesis, osteoporosis, etc.)

Study Plan

Study Type: Interventional
Phase: Not Applicable
Enrollment: 66Estimated
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single

Contacts and Locations

Central Contacts: Ramsha Tariq, MS OMPTContact
ramsha.tariq@riphah.edu.pk03315251422

Similar Studies

Participant Group/Arms

Experimental: IASTM + Conventional PhysiotherapyExperimental

Participants will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in addition to conventional physiotherapy. IASTM will be applied to the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital muscles, and cervical extensors using stainless steel instruments. Conventional therapy will include cervical isometric exercises, deep cervical flexor activation, scapular strengthening exercises, stretching exercises, thoracic extension exercises, and postural re-education. Treatment will be administered twice weekly for 4 weeks (8 sessions total).

Other: IASTM + Conventional Physiotherapy

Conventional Physiotherapy (Exercise-based) (control group)Active Comparator

Participants will receive conventional physiotherapy consisting of cervical isometric strengthening exercises, deep cervical flexor activation exercises, scapular strengthening exercises, stretching exercises, thoracic extension exercises, and postural re-education. Treatment will be administered twice weekly for 4 weeks (8 sessions total).

Other: Conventional Physiotherapy (Exercise-based) (control group)