Text Neck PostureNCT06991387
Acute Effects of Myofascial Release in Individuals With Text Neck Syndrome
A study testing Myofascial Release in people with Text Neck Posture and Neck Pain, run by Karabuk University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study aims to investigate the acute effects of myofascial release therapy on neck pain, functional status, and cervical range of motion in individuals diagnosed with Text Neck Syndrome (TNS). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Text Neck Posture, Neck Pain, Myofascial Release Technique
- What is being tested?
- Myofascial Release
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 10 May 2025to Aug 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 18 to 40 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged between 18 and 40 years (inclusive)
- Uses a mobile device for ≥3 hours/day
- Reports at least 3 out of the following 6 symptoms associated with Text Neck Syndrome (TNS):
- Neck pain Shoulder pain Back pain Headache Insomnia Numbness/tingling in hands
- -Voluntarily agrees to participate and provides informed consent
Who cannot join
- History of congenital, traumatic, or surgical pathology affecting the cervical -------spine or shoulder region
- Neurological disorders that cause headaches (e.g., migraines due to underlying neurological conditions)
- Presence of inflammatory, infectious spinal diseases, or diagnosed spinal deformities
- Received trigger point injections in the cervical region within the past 6 months
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Karabük University
Karabük, Karabük Province, 78050
Ece ACAR, +90545 7925035, eceacar@karabuk.edu.tr
About this study
Official title: Exploring the Short-Term Effects of Myofascial Release in Text Neck Syndrome
This study aims to investigate the acute effects of myofascial release therapy on neck pain, functional status, and cervical range of motion in individuals diagnosed with Text Neck Syndrome (TNS). Text Neck Syndrome is increasingly prevalent due to excessive use of smartphones and other digital devices, particularly among young adults. The intervention will consist of a single session of standardized myofascial release techniques applied to the cervical and thoracic regions. The primary outcome will be neck pain intensity measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11), while secondary outcomes will include cervical range of motion and the modified Neck Disability Index (NDI). Assessments will be performed immediately before and after the intervention. The study will be conducted with volunteer participants between the ages of 18 and 40, who use mobile devices for more than 3 hours per day and meet the diagnostic criteria for TNS
Read the detailed description
Text Neck Syndrome (TNS) is a repetitive stress injury caused by prolonged forward head posture, often due to extended use of mobile phones, tablets, and computers. The increasing prevalence of this postural disorder has led to a rise in musculoskeletal complaints, particularly among young adults and university students. TNS is characterized by symptoms such as neck and upper back pain, stiffness, shoulder pain, headaches, and, in some cases, paresthesia in the upper limbs.
Myofascial release (MFR) is a manual therapy technique aimed at releasing restrictions in the myofascial system to alleviate pain and improve function. It is increasingly being used to treat various musculoskeletal disorders, including those affecting the cervical and thoracic spine. The technique involves applying gentle, sustained pressure to the myofascial connective tissue to improve mobility, reduce pain, and enhance functional performance.
This single-arm experimental study is designed to evaluate the acute effects of a one-time standardized myofascial release session targeting the cervical and upper thoracic regions in individuals diagnosed with Text Neck Syndrome. Four myofascial techniques will be applied in a specific sequence:
Single Arm Pull
Lateral Neck Shoulder Release
Thoracic Transverse Release
Anterior Cervical Release
These techniques are performed by a licensed physiotherapist with advanced training in manual therapy. Each intervention is applied bilaterally (if appropriate), with a duration of 90-120 seconds per technique.
The primary focus is to observe immediate (pre-post) changes in:
Subjective neck pain intensity
Functional disability associated with the neck
Cervical range of motion (C-ROM) in multiple planes
This study is exploratory in nature and aims to provide preliminary data on the efficacy of a single-session MFR intervention for individuals experiencing TNS-related symptoms. The findings may guide future controlled trials and inform physiotherapeutic approaches in addressing posture-related neck dysfunctions.
- Conditions
- Text Neck Posture, Neck Pain, Myofascial Release Technique
- Being tested
- Myofascial Release
- Keywords
- Text Neck Syndrome, Neck Pain, Myofascial Release
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Myofascial ReleaseOther
Also called Manual Therapy
A single session of myofascial release techniques including Single Arm Pull, Lateral Neck Shoulder Release, Thoracic Transverse Release, and Anterior Cervical Release applied by a physiotherapist trained in manual therapy.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| participants with text neck syndrome | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Myofascial Release |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Numeric Rating Scale
Change in neck pain intensity using the 11-point NRS (0=no pain, 10=worst possible pain)
Measured: Baseline and immediately post-treatment
Cervical Range of Motion and joint position sense
Measured using a phone application (Clinometer) for flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral flexion
Measured: Baseline and immediately post-treatment
Secondary outcomes (1)
Modified Neck Disability Index
Assessment of disability related to neck pain (score range: 0-50)
Measured: Baseline and immediately post-treatment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 May 2025
- Study start10 May 2025
- Primary completionJun 2025 (estimated)
- Study completionAug 2025 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Text Neck PostureStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Karabuk University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ece ACAR, Karabuk University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06991387
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- text neck syndrome
- Status last verified
- May 2025
- First submitted
- 20 May 2025
- Last updated
- 5 Jun 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Grasser T, Borges Dario A, Parreira PCS, Correia IMT, Meziat-Filho N. Defining text neck: a scoping review. Eur Spine J. 2023 Oct;32(10):3463-3484. doi: 10.1007/s00586-023-07821-2. Epub 2023 Jul 5.
PubMed 37405530Mishra D, Prakash RH, Mehta J, Dhaduk A. Comparative Study of Active Release Technique and Myofascial Release Technique in Treatment of Patients with Upper Trapezius Spasm. J Clin Diagn Res
Gauns SV, Gurudut PV. A randomized controlled trial to study the effect of gross myofascial release on mechanical neck pain referred to upper limb. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2018 Sep-Oct;12(5):51-59.
PubMed 30202408
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Jun 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Exploring the Short-Term Effects of Myofascial Release in Text Neck Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06991387
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- text neck syndrome
- Conditions
- Text Neck Posture, Neck Pain, Myofascial Release Technique
- Keywords
- Text Neck Syndrome, Neck Pain, Myofascial Release
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Karabuk UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 May 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Jun 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Aug 2025 (estimated)
- First posted
- 28 May 2025 (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.
This study aims to investigate the acute effects of myofascial release therapy on neck pain, functional status, and cervical range of motion in individuals diagnosed with Text Neck Syndrome (TNS). Text Neck Syndrome is increasingly prevalent due to excessive use of smartphones and other digital devices, particularly among young adults. The intervention will consist of a single session of standardized myofascial release techniques applied to the cervical and thoracic regions. The primary outcome will be neck pain intensity measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11), while secondary outcomes will include cervical range of motion and the modified Neck Disability Index (NDI). Assessments will be performed immediately before and after the intervention. The study will be conducted with volunteer participants between the ages of 18 and 40, who use mobile devices for more than 3 hours per day and meet the diagnostic criteria for TNS
Detailed description
Text Neck Syndrome (TNS) is a repetitive stress injury caused by prolonged forward head posture, often due to extended use of mobile phones, tablets, and computers. The increasing prevalence of this postural disorder has led to a rise in musculoskeletal complaints, particularly among young adults and university students. TNS is characterized by symptoms such as neck and upper back pain, stiffness, shoulder pain, headaches, and, in some cases, paresthesia in the upper limbs.
Myofascial release (MFR) is a manual therapy technique aimed at releasing restrictions in the myofascial system to alleviate pain and improve function. It is increasingly being used to treat various musculoskeletal disorders, including those affecting the cervical and thoracic spine. The technique involves applying gentle, sustained pressure to the myofascial connective tissue to improve mobility, reduce pain, and enhance functional performance.
This single-arm experimental study is designed to evaluate the acute effects of a one-time standardized myofascial release session targeting the cervical and upper thoracic regions in individuals diagnosed with Text Neck Syndrome. Four myofascial techniques will be applied in a specific sequence:
Single Arm Pull
Lateral Neck Shoulder Release
Thoracic Transverse Release
Anterior Cervical Release
These techniques are performed by a licensed physiotherapist with advanced training in manual therapy. Each intervention is applied bilaterally (if appropriate), with a duration of 90-120 seconds per technique.
The primary focus is to observe immediate (pre-post) changes in:
Subjective neck pain intensity
Functional disability associated with the neck
Cervical range of motion (C-ROM) in multiple planes
This study is exploratory in nature and aims to provide preliminary data on the efficacy of a single-session MFR intervention for individuals experiencing TNS-related symptoms. The findings may guide future controlled trials and inform physiotherapeutic approaches in addressing posture-related neck dysfunctions.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| participants with text neck syndrome | Experimental | Other: Myofascial Release |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Aged between 18 and 40 years (inclusive)
- Uses a mobile device for ≥3 hours/day
- Reports at least 3 out of the following 6 symptoms associated with Text Neck Syndrome (TNS):
- Neck pain Shoulder pain Back pain Headache Insomnia Numbness/tingling in hands
- -Voluntarily agrees to participate and provides informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- History of congenital, traumatic, or surgical pathology affecting the cervical -------spine or shoulder region
- Neurological disorders that cause headaches (e.g., migraines due to underlying neurological conditions)
- Presence of inflammatory, infectious spinal diseases, or diagnosed spinal deformities
- Received trigger point injections in the cervical region within the past 6 months
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Myofascial ReleaseAlso: Manual TherapyA single session of myofascial release techniques including Single Arm Pull, Lateral Neck Shoulder Release, Thoracic Transverse Release, and Anterior Cervical Release applied by a physiotherapist trained in manual therapy. | Other | participants with text neck syndrome |
Primary outcome
Numeric Rating Scale
Time frame: Baseline and immediately post-treatment
Change in neck pain intensity using the 11-point NRS (0=no pain, 10=worst possible pain)
Cervical Range of Motion and joint position sense
Time frame: Baseline and immediately post-treatment
Measured using a phone application (Clinometer) for flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral flexion
1 secondary outcome
Modified Neck Disability Index
Time frame: Baseline and immediately post-treatment
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Jun 2025.
- Background: PubMed 37405530Grasser T, Borges Dario A, Parreira PCS, Correia IMT, Meziat-Filho N. Defining text neck: a scoping review. Eur Spine J. 2023 Oct;32(10):3463-3484. doi: 10.1007/s00586-023-07821-2. Epub 2023 Jul 5.
- BackgroundMishra D, Prakash RH, Mehta J, Dhaduk A. Comparative Study of Active Release Technique and Myofascial Release Technique in Treatment of Patients with Upper Trapezius Spasm. J Clin Diagn Res
- Background: PubMed 30202408Gauns SV, Gurudut PV. A randomized controlled trial to study the effect of gross myofascial release on mechanical neck pain referred to upper limb. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2018 Sep-Oct;12(5):51-59.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Text Neck Posture
Not yet recruiting
Effects of Progressive Neck Motor Control Exercises With and Without Conventional Therapy in Text Neck Syndrome.(PNMCE-TNS)
Text Neck Syndrome
RecruitingObservational study
An Investigation of the Effect of Smartphone Usage Levels on Cervical Posture, Tongue Pressure, Balance, and Neck Disability in Individuals With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
Recruiting
Effect of Myofascial Release Therapy on University Students With Text Neck Syndrome.
Text Neck Syndrome
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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Myofascial Release in people with Text Neck Posture and Neck Pain, run by Karabuk University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 5 inclusion and 4 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Jun 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Ece ACAR (+905457925035, eceacar@karabuk.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Numeric Rating Scale (time frame: Baseline and immediately post-treatment). 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 NCT06991387, which also lists 3 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 5 Jun 2025.