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Sensory Motor Control and Muscle Energy Technique for Chronic Mechanical Neck

NCT07681687 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 52

Last updated 2026-07-02

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of Sensory Motor Control training combined with Muscle Energy Technique in reducing pain and improving function, cervical range of motion, proprioception, and kinesiophobia in individuals with chronic mechanical neck pain

Conditions

  • Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain

Interventions

OTHER

Muscle energy technique for MET only group

Participants will receive Post-Isometric Relaxation (PIR) techniques targeting the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoid, deep neck flexors, deep neck extensors, and scalene muscles. Each technique involves a gentle isometric contraction (5-10 seconds) followed by relaxation and stretching to a new barrier, repeated 3-5 times. Both groups will receive hot pack therapy (10 minutes), manual therapy (5 minutes), and MET. The intervention group will additionally receive Sensory Motor Control (SMC) training. Participants will undergo a structured SMC program including oculomotor exercises, head-eye coordination training, figure-of-eight tracking, gaze stability, and gaze-shifting exercises. The program is designed to improve cervical proprioception, postural control, movement accuracy, and range of motion while reducing pain and functional disability in individuals with chronic mechanical neck pain. Sessions will be supervised and progressed according to patient tolerance.

OTHER

MET +SMC for experimental group

articipants in the experimental group will receive a combination of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Sensory Motor Control (SMC) Training. Treatment sessions will be conducted under the supervision of a physiotherapist. MET will be applied to the shortened cervical muscles, including the upper trapezius and levator scapulae, using post-isometric relaxation techniques to reduce muscle tightness, improve cervical mobility, and decrease pain. Following MET, participants will perform a structured SMC training program aimed at improving cervical proprioception, eye-head coordination, gaze stability, movement control, balance, and postural awareness. The SMC program will include the following exercises: Smooth Horizontal and Vertical Tracking: A card measuring approximately 10-15 cm × 7-10 cm will be placed 2 meters from the participant. In Level 1, participants move their eyes while keeping the head stationary; in Level 2, they move the head while maintaining visual fixation on the targe

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Ibadat International University, Islamabad

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
TRIPLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
35 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-01-01
Primary Completion
2026-08-15
Completion
2026-09-01

Countries

  • Pakistan

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07681687 on ClinicalTrials.gov