Neck PainNCT07103954
Mckenzie Exercises Versus Mulligan Mobilization in Text Neck Syndrome
A study testing McKenzie Exercises plus Conventional Physical Therapy and Mulligan Mobilization with Conventional Physical Therapy in people with Neck Pain and Text Neck Posture, run by University of Lahore at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Neck pain is an important public health issue that affects the whole population. Consequently, there is a significant decrease in the quality of work and life and can have a negative socioeconomic impact on both individuals and society. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 45 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Neck Pain, Text Neck Posture, Text Neck Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- McKenzie Exercises plus Conventional Physical Therapy and Mulligan Mobilization with Conventional Physical Therapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 64 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 1 Dec 2024to 1 Aug 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 20 to 45 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Age 20 to 45 years
- Both genders will be included.
- A minimum of three hours must be spent using smartphones every day.
- More than one year of using any electronic gadgets.
- Craniovertebral Angle < 53
Who cannot join
- Any known illness that may cause pain in the upper limbs or neck. (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
- Any cervical spine injuries.
- Any neurological or cardiovascular issue (e.g., epilepsy, hypertension)
- Pregnancy
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Comparative Effects of McKenzie Exercises Versus Mulligan Mobilization on Pain, Craniovertebral Angle, and Functional Disability in Text Neck Syndrome
Neck pain is an important public health issue that affects the whole population. Consequently, there is a significant decrease in the quality of work and life and can have a negative socioeconomic impact on both individuals and society. For the treatment of pain in the spine and extremities, especially the neck, the McKenzie method of mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MMDT) is a popular choice. Mulligan mobilization approach was found to be beneficial for both pain and functioning in individuals with mechanical neck discomfort.
Read the detailed description
Text Neck Syndrome, commonly referred to as turtle neck posture, is the fourth leading cause of disability globally. Different exercises and techniques have been implemented to manage it. Individually, there have been several studies conducted on McKenzie exercises and Mulligan mobilization. This study will provide valuable insights into the comparative effectiveness of McKenzie exercises and Mulligan mobilization for text neck syndrome. This study's findings will contribute to the development of evidence-based guidelines for managing TNS, enhancing clinical decision-making, and improving patient outcomes.
- Conditions
- Neck Pain, Text Neck Posture, Text Neck Syndrome
- Being tested
- McKenzie Exercises plus Conventional Physical Therapy, Mulligan Mobilization with Conventional Physical Therapy
- Keywords
- MCKENZIE EXERCISES, MULLIGAN MOBILIZATION, TEXT NECK SYNDROME
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
McKenzie Exercises plus Conventional Physical TherapyOther
First of all conventional physical therapy is applied. For this we will use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and hot pack, positioned over the neck region, for 15-20 minutes. This will help in improving blood flow and increasing muscle activation.
For McKenzie exercises, the participant will be in a comfortable sitting posture with proper back support. He will be asked to perform the following exercises:
- Retraction in supine and sitting positions
- Retraction with patient and therapist overpressure
- Retraction with extension and rotation
- Rotation with patient and therapist overpressure
- Lateral flexion
- Lateral flexion with patient and therapist overpressure • All these exercises will be done with a hold of one or two seconds and the movement is then repeated for five to six times.
Mulligan Mobilization with Conventional Physical TherapyOther
First of all conventional physical therapy is applied. For this we will use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and hot pack, positioned over the neck region, for 15-20 minutes. This will help in improving blood flow and increasing muscle activation.
The Mulligan mobilization, the patient will be seated in a comfortable position on a chair and the therapist stood behind to perform the mulligan mobilization. A gliding force will be applied by the therapist on the patient's spinous process or on the facet joint of the superior vertebra of the target segment for treatment. This gliding force will be maintained by the therapist. Then the patient will move his head towards the painful side (flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral flexion), and more pressure will be applied by the patient at the end of active movement. The Mulligan mobilization will be repeated 10 times for 3 sets.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| McKenzie Exercise plus CPT | Experimental | In this group, McKenzie exercises with conventional physical therapy. Receives: Other: McKenzie Exercises plus Conventional Physical Therapy |
| Mulligan Exercise plus CPT | Active comparator | In this group, Mulligan mobilization with conventional physical therapy. The Receives: Other: Mulligan Mobilization with Conventional Physical Therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity
The pain intensity will be measured using a visual analogue scale. The VAS is a self-reported scale that consists of anchor points for "no pain" and "worst possible pain" on a horizontal line (10 cm long). The patient is asked to mark at a single point along a 10-cm line that most accurately represent his level of pain. This line represents a continuum between the two ends of the scale, with "no pain" on the left end (0 cm) and "worst pain" on the right (10 cm).
Measured: The pain intensity will be measured using a visual analogue scale at baseline, and change in pain intensity will be measured at 2nd week and 4th week.
Secondary outcomes (1)
Functional disability
It will be measured using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), which was the first instrument created to evaluate neck pain patients' self-rated disabilities. It consists of ten questions in the following domains: Pain Intensity, Personal Care, Lifting, Reading, Headaches, Concentration, Work, Driving, Sleeping, and Recreation. Each question contains six answer choices, scored from 0 (no disability) to 5 (complete disability). The scores for each section are then added. Scoring is reported on a 0-50 scale, 0 being the best possible score and 50 being the worst.
Measured: The functional disability will be measured at baseline, and change in function level will be measured at 2nd week and 4th week.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Aug 2025
- Study start1 Dec 2024
- Primary completion1 Aug 2025
- Study completion1 Aug 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Neck PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of LahoreThe 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
- 64 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Lahore
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Ashfaq Prof. Ahmad, PhD, Study chair, University of Lahore
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07103954
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Sana Allah dita
- Status last verified
- May 2025
- First submitted
- 29 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 30 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: In order to keep the privacy of participants and confidentiality.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparative Effects of McKenzie Exercises Versus Mulligan Mobilization on Pain, Craniovertebral Angle, and Functional Disability in Text Neck Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07103954
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Sana Allah dita
- Conditions
- Neck Pain, Text Neck Posture, Text Neck Syndrome
- Keywords
- MCKENZIE EXERCISES, MULLIGAN MOBILIZATION, TEXT NECK SYNDROME
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 64 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of LahoreUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Dec 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Aug 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 5 Aug 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.
Neck pain is an important public health issue that affects the whole population. Consequently, there is a significant decrease in the quality of work and life and can have a negative socioeconomic impact on both individuals and society. For the treatment of pain in the spine and extremities, especially the neck, the McKenzie method of mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MMDT) is a popular choice. Mulligan mobilization approach was found to be beneficial for both pain and functioning in individuals with mechanical neck discomfort.
Detailed description
Text Neck Syndrome, commonly referred to as turtle neck posture, is the fourth leading cause of disability globally. Different exercises and techniques have been implemented to manage it. Individually, there have been several studies conducted on McKenzie exercises and Mulligan mobilization. This study will provide valuable insights into the comparative effectiveness of McKenzie exercises and Mulligan mobilization for text neck syndrome. This study's findings will contribute to the development of evidence-based guidelines for managing TNS, enhancing clinical decision-making, and improving patient outcomes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| McKenzie Exercise plus CPT | Experimental | Other: McKenzie Exercises plus Conventional Physical TherapyIn this group, McKenzie exercises with conventional physical therapy. |
| Mulligan Exercise plus CPT | Active comparator | Other: Mulligan Mobilization with Conventional Physical TherapyIn this group, Mulligan mobilization with conventional physical therapy. The |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Age 20 to 45 years
- Both genders will be included.
- A minimum of three hours must be spent using smartphones every day.
- More than one year of using any electronic gadgets.
- Craniovertebral Angle < 53
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Any known illness that may cause pain in the upper limbs or neck. (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
- Any cervical spine injuries.
- Any neurological or cardiovascular issue (e.g., epilepsy, hypertension)
- Pregnancy
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 |
|---|---|---|
| McKenzie Exercises plus Conventional Physical TherapyFirst of all conventional physical therapy is applied. For this we will use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and hot pack, positioned over the neck region, for 15-20 minutes. This will help in improving blood flow and increasing muscle activation. For McKenzie exercises, the participant will be in a comfortable sitting posture with proper back support. He will be asked to perform the following exercises: 1. Retraction in supine and sitting positions 2. Retraction with patient and therapist overpressure 3. Retraction with extension and rotation 4. Rotation with patient and therapist overpressure 5. Lateral flexion 6. Lateral flexion with patient and therapist overpressure • All these exercises will be done with a hold of one or two seconds and the movement is then repeated for five to six times. | Other | McKenzie Exercise plus CPT |
| Mulligan Mobilization with Conventional Physical TherapyFirst of all conventional physical therapy is applied. For this we will use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and hot pack, positioned over the neck region, for 15-20 minutes. This will help in improving blood flow and increasing muscle activation. The Mulligan mobilization, the patient will be seated in a comfortable position on a chair and the therapist stood behind to perform the mulligan mobilization. A gliding force will be applied by the therapist on the patient's spinous process or on the facet joint of the superior vertebra of the target segment for treatment. This gliding force will be maintained by the therapist. Then the patient will move his head towards the painful side (flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral flexion), and more pressure will be applied by the patient at the end of active movement. The Mulligan mobilization will be repeated 10 times for 3 sets. | Other | Mulligan Exercise plus CPT |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity
Time frame: The pain intensity will be measured using a visual analogue scale at baseline, and change in pain intensity will be measured at 2nd week and 4th week.
The pain intensity will be measured using a visual analogue scale. The VAS is a self-reported scale that consists of anchor points for "no pain" and "worst possible pain" on a horizontal line (10 cm long). The patient is asked to mark at a single point along a 10-cm line that most accurately represent his level of pain. This line represents a continuum between the two ends of the scale, with "no pain" on the left end (0 cm) and "worst pain" on the right (10 cm).
1 secondary outcome
Functional disability
Time frame: The functional disability will be measured at baseline, and change in function level will be measured at 2nd week and 4th week.
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 30 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. In order to keep the privacy of participants and confidentiality.
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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.
Ashfaq Prof. Ahmad, PhD study chair
University of Lahore
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing McKenzie Exercises plus Conventional Physical Therapy and Mulligan Mobilization with Conventional Physical Therapy in people with Neck Pain and Text Neck Posture, run by University of Lahore 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 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Jun 2026. 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 Intensity (time frame: The pain intensity will be measured using a visual analogue scale at baseline, and change in pain intensity will be measured at 2nd week and 4th week.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 30 Jun 2026.