Neck PainNCT06459518
Effectiveness of Bowen Technique vs Muscle Energy Technique in Neck Pain.
A study testing Bowen Therapy along with conventional therapy and Muscle Energy Technique with Conventional Therapy in people with Neck Pain and Musculoskeletal Manipulation, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Mechanical neck pain, also known as non-specific neck pain, is a prevalent ailment that results from problems with spine and surrounding tissue function. Trauma, degenerative changes, strained muscles, and bad posture are among the causes. The range of symptoms includes headaches, stiffness, and mild to severe pain. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 15 to 35 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Neck Pain, Musculoskeletal Manipulation
- What is being tested?
- Bowen Therapy along with conventional therapy and Muscle Energy Technique with Conventional Therapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 36 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 15 Dec 2024to 1 Jun 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 15 to 35 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Computer users who work 5-7 hours daily.
- Age between 18 to 35 will be included.
- Both genders
Who cannot join
- Any recent musculoskeletal injury of upper limb or spine.
- History of any trauma of spine or head
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effectiveness of Bowen Technique vs Muscle Energy Technique in Mechanical Neck Pain Among Desktop Users.
Mechanical neck pain, also known as non-specific neck pain, is a prevalent ailment that results from problems with spine and surrounding tissue function. Trauma, degenerative changes, strained muscles, and bad posture are among the causes. The range of symptoms includes headaches, stiffness, and mild to severe pain. The goal of treatment is to strengthen the muscles and improve posture. The diagnosis is clinical. The Bowen Technique is a type of gentle bodywork therapy that promotes relaxation and overall rebalancing by using specific movements to activate the autonomic nerve system. It is sought for the improvement of general well-being, pain alleviation, and stress reduction. Patients undergoing manual treatment will be asked to actively contract their muscles against regulated resistance using the Muscle Energy Technique (MET). It addresses problems including joint limitations and attempts to return muscles and joints to their normal functions.
Read the detailed description
The research, will last for ten months at the Limit Institute of Health Sciences in Sahiwal, is a randomized controlled trial. With 10 participants in each group using a non-probability convenient sampling procedure, the sample size includes 10% attrition. Computer users between the ages of 18 and 35 who work five to seven hours a day meet the inclusion criteria, but recent musculoskeletal injuries and a history of head or spine trauma are the exclusion criteria. One instrument used to collect data is the Neck Disability Index (NDI). There are two established study groups: Group B will receive Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and traditional physiotherapy, while Group A will receive Bowen therapy and conventional physiotherapy. Blinding will be used, and the study will adhere to a recruitment, enrollment, and randomization procedure. SPSS version 23 will be used to analyze the data, and descriptive statistics, change over temporal analysis as well as tests of group comparison. The purpose of the study is to evaluate how the interventions affect people who use computers for extended periods in terms of their functional results and mechanical neck discomfort.
- Conditions
- Neck Pain, Musculoskeletal Manipulation
- Being tested
- Bowen Therapy along with conventional therapy, Muscle Energy Technique with Conventional Therapy
- Keywords
- Bowen Therapy, Mechanical Neck Pain, Muscle Energy Technique
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Bowen Therapy along with conventional therapyOther
Bowen Technique Group Assignment: Participants will be assigned to undergo targeted Bowen Technique therapy sessions.
Session Details: The therapy sessions will include:
- Gentle, rolling-type maneuvers
- Specific placements of fingers and thumbs
- Focus on muscles, tendons, and ligaments associated with neck pain Therapeutic Pauses: There will be intentional pauses between sets of moves to allow the body time to respond to the therapeutic stimulation.
Conventional Therapy: Hot pack, TENS, Passive Stretching 2 times a week for 4 weeks
Muscle Energy Technique with Conventional TherapyOther
MET Session Structure: Participants will engage in Muscle Energy Technique (MET) sessions that focus on:
- Isometric muscle contractions, where muscles are contracted without changing length.
- Therapist-guided, controlled contractions against specific resistance.
- Relaxation Periods: Each contraction session will be followed by a period of relaxation to allow muscles to recover and respond to the therapy. conventional therapy: Hot pack, TENS, Passive Stretching 2times a week for 4 weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Bowen Therapy along with Conventional Therapy | Experimental | Group A will receive Bowen Therapy along with Conventional Therapy Receives: Other: Bowen Therapy along with conventional therapy |
| Muscle Energy Technique along with conventional Therapy | Active comparator | Group B will receive Muscle Energy Technique along with Conventional Therapy Receives: Other: Muscle Energy Technique with Conventional Therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain level
The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a straightforward tool used to measure pain intensity in adults, including those suffering from chronic pain associated with rheumatic conditions. It features an 11-point scale, where '0' indicates no pain and '10' signifies the most extreme pain possible, described as "pain as bad as you can imagine" or "the worst pain imaginable."
Measured: 4th week
Functional Disability
A self-reported questionnaire called the Neck Disability Index (NDI) is used to gauge how neck pain affects a person's ability to function and go about their everyday life. It is divided into eleven sections that address different tasks such as sleeping, work, reading, lifting, and personal care. In each category, respondents rate the level of difficulty they encounter; scores are added together to produce a percentage that indicates the degree of disability. When conducting clinical assessments, the NDI is a useful instrument that helps medical practitioners determine the degree of functional limits and provide personalized interventions for patients with neck discomfort.
Measured: 4th week
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Jun 2024
- Study start15 Dec 2024
- Primary completion15 May 2025
- Study completion1 Jun 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Neck PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Riphah International UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Hafiza Wajeeha Saeed, DPT, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06459518
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/RCR&AHS/23/01106
- Status last verified
- Jul 2025
- First submitted
- 11 Jun 2024
- Last updated
- 4 Jul 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Masaracchio M, Kirker K, States R, Hanney WJ, Liu X, Kolber M. Thoracic spine manipulation for the management of mechanical neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2019 Feb 13;14(2):e0211877. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211877. eCollection 2019.
PubMed 30759118Verhagen AP. Physiotherapy management of neck pain. J Physiother. 2021 Jan;67(1):5-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jphys.2020.12.005. Epub 2020 Dec 24. No abstract available.
PubMed 33358545Joshi S, Balthillaya G, Neelapala YVR. Thoracic Posture and Mobility in Mechanical Neck Pain Population: A Review of the Literature. Asian Spine J. 2019 Jun 3;13(5):849-860. doi: 10.31616/asj.2018.0302. Print 2019 Oct.
PubMed 31154701Al-Khazali HM, Kroll LS, Ashina H, Melo-Carrillo A, Burstein R, Amin FM, Ashina S. Neck pain and headache: Pathophysiology, treatments and future directions. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2023 Aug;66:102804. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102804. Epub 2023 Jun 16.
PubMed 37394323Peng B, Yang L, Li Y, Liu T, Liu Y. Cervical Proprioception Impairment in Neck Pain-Pathophysiology, Clinical Evaluation, and Management: A Narrative Review. Pain Ther. 2021 Jun;10(1):143-164. doi: 10.1007/s40122-020-00230-z. Epub 2021 Jan 12.
PubMed 33464539Bonilla-Barba L, Florencio LL, Rodriguez-Jimenez J, Falla D, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C, Ortega-Santiago R. Women with mechanical neck pain exhibit increased activation of their superficial neck extensors when performing the cranio-cervical flexion test. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2020 Oct;49:102222. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102222. Epub 2020 Jul 11.
PubMed 32861371
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Jul 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effectiveness of Bowen Technique vs Muscle Energy Technique in Mechanical Neck Pain Among Desktop Users.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06459518
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/RCR&AHS/23/01106
- Conditions
- Neck Pain, Musculoskeletal Manipulation
- Keywords
- Bowen Therapy, Mechanical Neck Pain, Muscle Energy Technique
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Dec 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 May 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Jun 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 14 Jun 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Mechanical neck pain, also known as non-specific neck pain, is a prevalent ailment that results from problems with spine and surrounding tissue function. Trauma, degenerative changes, strained muscles, and bad posture are among the causes. The range of symptoms includes headaches, stiffness, and mild to severe pain. The goal of treatment is to strengthen the muscles and improve posture. The diagnosis is clinical. The Bowen Technique is a type of gentle bodywork therapy that promotes relaxation and overall rebalancing by using specific movements to activate the autonomic nerve system. It is sought for the improvement of general well-being, pain alleviation, and stress reduction. Patients undergoing manual treatment will be asked to actively contract their muscles against regulated resistance using the Muscle Energy Technique (MET). It addresses problems including joint limitations and attempts to return muscles and joints to their normal functions.
Detailed description
The research, will last for ten months at the Limit Institute of Health Sciences in Sahiwal, is a randomized controlled trial. With 10 participants in each group using a non-probability convenient sampling procedure, the sample size includes 10% attrition. Computer users between the ages of 18 and 35 who work five to seven hours a day meet the inclusion criteria, but recent musculoskeletal injuries and a history of head or spine trauma are the exclusion criteria. One instrument used to collect data is the Neck Disability Index (NDI). There are two established study groups: Group B will receive Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and traditional physiotherapy, while Group A will receive Bowen therapy and conventional physiotherapy. Blinding will be used, and the study will adhere to a recruitment, enrollment, and randomization procedure. SPSS version 23 will be used to analyze the data, and descriptive statistics, change over temporal analysis as well as tests of group comparison. The purpose of the study is to evaluate how the interventions affect people who use computers for extended periods in terms of their functional results and mechanical neck discomfort.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Bowen Therapy along with Conventional Therapy | Experimental | Other: Bowen Therapy along with conventional therapyGroup A will receive Bowen Therapy along with Conventional Therapy |
| Muscle Energy Technique along with conventional Therapy | Active comparator | Other: Muscle Energy Technique with Conventional TherapyGroup B will receive Muscle Energy Technique along with Conventional Therapy |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 15 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Computer users who work 5-7 hours daily.
- Age between 18 to 35 will be included.
- Both genders
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Any recent musculoskeletal injury of upper limb or spine.
- History of any trauma of spine or head
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Bowen Therapy along with conventional therapyBowen Technique Group Assignment: Participants will be assigned to undergo targeted Bowen Technique therapy sessions. Session Details: The therapy sessions will include: * Gentle, rolling-type maneuvers * Specific placements of fingers and thumbs * Focus on muscles, tendons, and ligaments associated with neck pain Therapeutic Pauses: There will be intentional pauses between sets of moves to allow the body time to respond to the therapeutic stimulation. Conventional Therapy: Hot pack, TENS, Passive Stretching 2 times a week for 4 weeks | Other | Bowen Therapy along with Conventional Therapy |
| Muscle Energy Technique with Conventional TherapyMET Session Structure: Participants will engage in Muscle Energy Technique (MET) sessions that focus on: * Isometric muscle contractions, where muscles are contracted without changing length. * Therapist-guided, controlled contractions against specific resistance. * Relaxation Periods: Each contraction session will be followed by a period of relaxation to allow muscles to recover and respond to the therapy. conventional therapy: Hot pack, TENS, Passive Stretching 2times a week for 4 weeks. | Other | Muscle Energy Technique along with conventional Therapy |
Primary outcome
Pain level
Time frame: 4th week
The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a straightforward tool used to measure pain intensity in adults, including those suffering from chronic pain associated with rheumatic conditions. It features an 11-point scale, where '0' indicates no pain and '10' signifies the most extreme pain possible, described as "pain as bad as you can imagine" or "the worst pain imaginable."
Functional Disability
Time frame: 4th week
A self-reported questionnaire called the Neck Disability Index (NDI) is used to gauge how neck pain affects a person's ability to function and go about their everyday life. It is divided into eleven sections that address different tasks such as sleeping, work, reading, lifting, and personal care. In each category, respondents rate the level of difficulty they encounter; scores are added together to produce a percentage that indicates the degree of disability. When conducting clinical assessments, the NDI is a useful instrument that helps medical practitioners determine the degree of functional limits and provide personalized interventions for patients with neck discomfort.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Jul 2025.
- Background: PubMed 30759118Masaracchio M, Kirker K, States R, Hanney WJ, Liu X, Kolber M. Thoracic spine manipulation for the management of mechanical neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2019 Feb 13;14(2):e0211877. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211877. eCollection 2019.
- Background: PubMed 33358545Verhagen AP. Physiotherapy management of neck pain. J Physiother. 2021 Jan;67(1):5-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jphys.2020.12.005. Epub 2020 Dec 24. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 31154701Joshi S, Balthillaya G, Neelapala YVR. Thoracic Posture and Mobility in Mechanical Neck Pain Population: A Review of the Literature. Asian Spine J. 2019 Jun 3;13(5):849-860. doi: 10.31616/asj.2018.0302. Print 2019 Oct.
- Background: PubMed 37394323Al-Khazali HM, Kroll LS, Ashina H, Melo-Carrillo A, Burstein R, Amin FM, Ashina S. Neck pain and headache: Pathophysiology, treatments and future directions. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2023 Aug;66:102804. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102804. Epub 2023 Jun 16.
- Background: PubMed 33464539Peng B, Yang L, Li Y, Liu T, Liu Y. Cervical Proprioception Impairment in Neck Pain-Pathophysiology, Clinical Evaluation, and Management: A Narrative Review. Pain Ther. 2021 Jun;10(1):143-164. doi: 10.1007/s40122-020-00230-z. Epub 2021 Jan 12.
- Background: PubMed 32861371Bonilla-Barba L, Florencio LL, Rodriguez-Jimenez J, Falla D, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C, Ortega-Santiago R. Women with mechanical neck pain exhibit increased activation of their superficial neck extensors when performing the cranio-cervical flexion test. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2020 Oct;49:102222. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102222. Epub 2020 Jul 11.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Hafiza Wajeeha Saeed, DPT principal investigator
Riphah International University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Bowen Therapy along with conventional therapy and Muscle Energy Technique with Conventional Therapy in people with Neck Pain and Musculoskeletal Manipulation, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain level (time frame: 4th week). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06459518, which also lists 6 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Jul 2025.