Chronic Neck PainNCT07710950
Muscle Energy Technique Versus Myofascial Release in Chronic Non Specific Neck Pain
A study testing Muscle Energy Technique and Myofascial Release Therapy in people with Chronic Neck Pain and Mechanical Neck Pain, run by University of Lahore at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Chronic non-specific neck pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that can significantly affect daily activities, sleep quality, and overall quality of life. It is often associated with muscle tightness, poor posture, and reduced neck mobility without any specific underlying structural pathology such as fracture or… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Neck Pain, Mechanical Neck Pain
- What is being tested?
- Muscle Energy Technique and Myofascial Release Therapy
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 44 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2025to 15 Feb 2026
- 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 18 to 45 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Both gender
- Participant with neck pain from the past 3 months.
- Participant with neck pain ≥7 on Visual analogue scale.
- Participant with unilateral tightness of upper trapezius, scalene and levator scapulae on manual palpation.
- Diagnosis consistent with Non-Specific Neck Pain (NSNP): mechanical pain aggravated by posture or movement, no neurological signs, no red flags, and pain localized to the neck with referral not extending below the shoulder.
- Positive Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT) indicating deep cervical flexor dysfunction.
Who cannot join
- Participant who received any therapeutic intervention for neck pain.
- Participate with any inflammatory, neurological or malignant condition like rheumatoid arthritis, cervical radiculopathy or tumor of the neck respectively.
- Participant with associated neck pain with facial pain or headache as a result of any fracture or major trauma to the cervical spine.
- Participant with the history of surgery of cervical spine in the last 12 months.
- Participant with disc prolapse or stenosis.
- Participant with any deformity such as torticollis, sprengel's deformity or scoliosis.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Pakistan1 site
University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore
Lahore, Punjab Province
About this study
Official title: Muscle Energy Technique Versus Myofascial Release in Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain
Chronic non-specific neck pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that can significantly affect daily activities, sleep quality, and overall quality of life. It is often associated with muscle tightness, poor posture, and reduced neck mobility without any specific underlying structural pathology such as fracture or nerve compression.
This study aims to compare two commonly used physiotherapy treatment techniques: Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain.
Read more
A total of 52 participants aged 18-45 years with neck pain lasting more than three months will be included in this randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:
Group A: Conventional physiotherapy plus Muscle Energy Technique Group B: Conventional physiotherapy plus Myofascial Release Therapy
Both groups will receive treatment twice weekly for four weeks
. Conventional physiotherapy will include moist heat application and stretching exercises for neck muscles. In addition, one group will receive Muscle Energy
Technique targeting the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles, while the other group will receive Myofascial Release Therapy targeting the same muscle groups.
Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, at the second week, and at the fourth week. The study will evaluate:
Pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale) Neck range of motion (Inclinometer) Sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) Neck-related disability (Neck Disability Index)
The results of this study may help determine which technique is more effective in reducing pain, improving movement, enhancing sleep quality, and reducing disability in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain. This may support clinicians in selecting the most appropriate treatment approach.
Read the detailed description
Neck pain is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders globally and is a leading cause of disability. Chronic non-specific neck pain (NSNP) is characterized by mechanical neck pain lasting more than three months without identifiable structural pathology such as fracture, infection, radiculopathy, or malignancy. It is commonly associated with postural dysfunction, muscle tightness, and impaired cervical mobility.
Various physiotherapy interventions are used in the management of NSNP. Among them, Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) are widely practiced manual therapy techniques. However, limited direct comparative evidence exists regarding their relative effectiveness in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain, particularly concerning outcomes such as sleep quality and functional disability.
This study is designed as a single-blinded randomized controlled trial conducted at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore. The study duration will be six months following research board approval.
A total of 52 participants (26 per group), aged 18-45 years, diagnosed with chronic non-specific neck pain of at least three months duration, will be recruited using non-probability convenience sampling. Sample size calculation was performed using pain (NPRS) as the primary outcome measure, with 95% confidence interval and 80% power.
Participants will be randomly allocated using sealed opaque envelope simple randomization into:
Group A (Conventional Physiotherapy + Muscle Energy Technique)
Participants will receive:
Moist heat pack application (10 minutes) Static stretching of upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles
Followed by:
Muscle Energy Technique targeting upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles using post-isometric relaxation principles (20% isometric contraction held for 7-10 seconds, repeated in sets).
Total session duration: 40 minutes Frequency: 2 sessions per week for 4 weeks.
Group B (Conventional Physiotherapy + Myofascial Release Therapy)
Participants will receive:
Moist heat pack application Static stretching exercises
Followed by:
Myofascial Release Therapy applied to upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles using sustained manual pressure (90-120 seconds) and controlled stretching techniques.
Total session duration: 35 minutes Frequency: 2 sessions per week for 4 weeks.
Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, second week, and fourth week:
Pain intensity: Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) Cervical range of motion: Inclinometer Sleep quality: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Disability: Neck Disability Index (NDI)
The assessor will be blinded to group allocation.
Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 27.0. Normality testing will be performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Between-group comparisons will be conducted using Independent Sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Within-group comparisons will be analyzed using Repeated Measures ANOVA or Friedman test, depending on data distribution.
This study aims to determine whether Muscle Energy Technique or Myofascial Release Therapy provides superior outcomes in reducing pain, improving cervical mobility, enhancing sleep quality, and decreasing disability in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain.
The findings may help optimize evidence-based physiotherapy management strategies for this population.
- Conditions
- Chronic Neck Pain, Mechanical Neck Pain
- Being tested
- Muscle Energy Technique, Myofascial Release Therapy
- Keywords
- muscle energy technique, non specific neck pain, mechanical neck pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Muscle Energy TechniqueProcedure or surgery
Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is a manual therapy procedure based on post-isometric relaxation principles. In this study, MET will be applied to the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles. Participants will perform a gentle isometric contraction (approximately 20% effort) against therapist resistance for 7-10 seconds, followed by relaxation and passive stretch. The technique will be performed in 3 sets with 5 repetitions per muscle. Each session will last approximately 20 minutes and will be administered twice weekly for four weeks, in addition to conventional physiotherapy.
Myofascial Release TherapyProcedure or surgery
Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) is a hands-on manual therapy technique aimed at reducing fascial restrictions and muscle tightness. In this study, sustained manual pressure (90-120 seconds) will be applied to the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles to achieve tissue release. Slow, controlled stretching will be performed without forceful movements. Each session will last approximately 15 minutes and will be administered twice weekly for four weeks, in addition to conventional physiotherapy.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional Physiotherapy + Muscle Energy Technique | Experimental | Participants in this group will receive conventional physiotherapy consisting of moist heat pack application for 10 minutes followed by static stretching exercises for the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles. In addition, Muscle Energy Technique (MET) will be applied targeting the same muscles using post-isometric relaxation principles with 20% isometric contraction held for 7-10 seconds followed by stretch. Treatment sessions will be conducted twice weekly for four weeks. Receives: Procedure: Muscle Energy Technique |
| Conventional Physiotherapy + Myofascial Release | Experimental | Participants in this group will receive conventional physiotherapy including moist heat pack application and static stretching exercises for the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles. In addition, Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) will be administered using sustained manual pressure techniques (90-120 seconds) to reduce myofascial restrictions. Treatment sessions will be conducted twice weekly for four weeks. Receives: Procedure: Myofascial Release Therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Numeric Pain Rating Scale
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), an 11-point self-reported scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).
Measured: Baseline, Week 2, and Week 4
Secondary outcomes (2)
Cervical Range of Motion
Cervical range of motion will be measured using an inclinometer to assess movement in degrees.
Measured: Baseline, Week 2, and Week 4
Neck Disability Index
Disability will be assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), a 10-item questionnaire measuring functional limitations due to neck pain. Scores range from 0 to 50, with higher scores indicating greater disability.
Measured: Baseline, Week 2, and Week 4
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Jul 2026
- Study start1 Aug 2025
- Primary completion31 Dec 2025
- Study completion15 Feb 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Chronic 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
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Lahore
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07710950
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UOL/IREB/26/19/01/0037
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 14 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 17 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Muscle Energy Technique Versus Myofascial Release in Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07710950
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- UOL/IREB/26/19/01/0037
- Conditions
- Chronic Neck Pain, Mechanical Neck Pain
- Keywords
- muscle energy technique, non specific neck pain, mechanical neck pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of LahoreUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Feb 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 Jul 2026 (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.
Chronic non-specific neck pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that can significantly affect daily activities, sleep quality, and overall quality of life. It is often associated with muscle tightness, poor posture, and reduced neck mobility without any specific underlying structural pathology such as fracture or nerve compression.
This study aims to compare two commonly used physiotherapy treatment techniques: Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain.
A total of 52 participants aged 18-45 years with neck pain lasting more than three months will be included in this randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:
Group A: Conventional physiotherapy plus Muscle Energy Technique Group B: Conventional physiotherapy plus Myofascial Release Therapy
Both groups will receive treatment twice weekly for four weeks
. Conventional physiotherapy will include moist heat application and stretching exercises for neck muscles. In addition, one group will receive Muscle Energy
Technique targeting the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles, while the other group will receive Myofascial Release Therapy targeting the same muscle groups.
Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, at the second week, and at the fourth week. The study will evaluate:
Pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale) Neck range of motion (Inclinometer) Sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) Neck-related disability (Neck Disability Index)
The results of this study may help determine which technique is more effective in reducing pain, improving movement, enhancing sleep quality, and reducing disability in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain. This may support clinicians in selecting the most appropriate treatment approach.
Detailed description
Neck pain is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders globally and is a leading cause of disability. Chronic non-specific neck pain (NSNP) is characterized by mechanical neck pain lasting more than three months without identifiable structural pathology such as fracture, infection, radiculopathy, or malignancy. It is commonly associated with postural dysfunction, muscle tightness, and impaired cervical mobility.
Various physiotherapy interventions are used in the management of NSNP. Among them, Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) are widely practiced manual therapy techniques. However, limited direct comparative evidence exists regarding their relative effectiveness in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain, particularly concerning outcomes such as sleep quality and functional disability.
This study is designed as a single-blinded randomized controlled trial conducted at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore. The study duration will be six months following research board approval.
A total of 52 participants (26 per group), aged 18-45 years, diagnosed with chronic non-specific neck pain of at least three months duration, will be recruited using non-probability convenience sampling. Sample size calculation was performed using pain (NPRS) as the primary outcome measure, with 95% confidence interval and 80% power.
Participants will be randomly allocated using sealed opaque envelope simple randomization into:
Group A (Conventional Physiotherapy + Muscle Energy Technique)
Participants will receive:
Moist heat pack application (10 minutes) Static stretching of upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles
Followed by:
Muscle Energy Technique targeting upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles using post-isometric relaxation principles (20% isometric contraction held for 7-10 seconds, repeated in sets).
Total session duration: 40 minutes Frequency: 2 sessions per week for 4 weeks.
Group B (Conventional Physiotherapy + Myofascial Release Therapy)
Participants will receive:
Moist heat pack application Static stretching exercises
Followed by:
Myofascial Release Therapy applied to upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles using sustained manual pressure (90-120 seconds) and controlled stretching techniques.
Total session duration: 35 minutes Frequency: 2 sessions per week for 4 weeks.
Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, second week, and fourth week:
Pain intensity: Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) Cervical range of motion: Inclinometer Sleep quality: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Disability: Neck Disability Index (NDI)
The assessor will be blinded to group allocation.
Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 27.0. Normality testing will be performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Between-group comparisons will be conducted using Independent Sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Within-group comparisons will be analyzed using Repeated Measures ANOVA or Friedman test, depending on data distribution.
This study aims to determine whether Muscle Energy Technique or Myofascial Release Therapy provides superior outcomes in reducing pain, improving cervical mobility, enhancing sleep quality, and decreasing disability in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain.
The findings may help optimize evidence-based physiotherapy management strategies for this population.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional Physiotherapy + Muscle Energy Technique | Experimental | Procedure: Muscle Energy TechniqueParticipants in this group will receive conventional physiotherapy consisting of moist heat pack application for 10 minutes followed by static stretching exercises for the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles. In addition, Muscle Energy Technique (MET) will be applied targeting the same muscles using post-isometric relaxation principles with 20% isometric contraction held for 7-10 seconds followed by stretch. Treatment sessions will be conducted twice weekly for four weeks. |
| Conventional Physiotherapy + Myofascial Release | Experimental | Procedure: Myofascial Release TherapyParticipants in this group will receive conventional physiotherapy including moist heat pack application and static stretching exercises for the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles. In addition, Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) will be administered using sustained manual pressure techniques (90-120 seconds) to reduce myofascial restrictions. Treatment sessions will be conducted twice weekly for four weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Both gender
- Participant with neck pain from the past 3 months.
- Participant with neck pain ≥7 on Visual analogue scale.
- Participant with unilateral tightness of upper trapezius, scalene and levator scapulae on manual palpation.
- Diagnosis consistent with Non-Specific Neck Pain (NSNP): mechanical pain aggravated by posture or movement, no neurological signs, no red flags, and pain localized to the neck with referral not extending below the shoulder.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Participant who received any therapeutic intervention for neck pain.
- Participate with any inflammatory, neurological or malignant condition like rheumatoid arthritis, cervical radiculopathy or tumor of the neck respectively.
- Participant with associated neck pain with facial pain or headache as a result of any fracture or major trauma to the cervical spine.
- Participant with the history of surgery of cervical spine in the last 12 months.
- Participant with disc prolapse or stenosis.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle Energy TechniqueMuscle Energy Technique (MET) is a manual therapy procedure based on post-isometric relaxation principles. In this study, MET will be applied to the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles. Participants will perform a gentle isometric contraction (approximately 20% effort) against therapist resistance for 7-10 seconds, followed by relaxation and passive stretch. The technique will be performed in 3 sets with 5 repetitions per muscle. Each session will last approximately 20 minutes and will be administered twice weekly for four weeks, in addition to conventional physiotherapy. | Procedure or surgery | Conventional Physiotherapy + Muscle Energy Technique |
| Myofascial Release TherapyMyofascial Release Therapy (MFR) is a hands-on manual therapy technique aimed at reducing fascial restrictions and muscle tightness. In this study, sustained manual pressure (90-120 seconds) will be applied to the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles to achieve tissue release. Slow, controlled stretching will be performed without forceful movements. Each session will last approximately 15 minutes and will be administered twice weekly for four weeks, in addition to conventional physiotherapy. | Procedure or surgery | Conventional Physiotherapy + Myofascial Release |
Primary outcome
Numeric Pain Rating Scale
Time frame: Baseline, Week 2, and Week 4
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), an 11-point self-reported scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).
2 secondary outcomes
Cervical Range of Motion
Time frame: Baseline, Week 2, and Week 4
Neck Disability Index
Time frame: Baseline, Week 2, and Week 4
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 17 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Muscle Energy Technique and Myofascial Release Therapy in people with Chronic Neck Pain and Mechanical Neck Pain, 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 6 inclusion and 6 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 17 Jul 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?
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (time frame: Baseline, Week 2, and Week 4). 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 17 Jul 2026.