Eyeball Exercises and Cervical Stabilization in Text Neck Syndrome

Summary

The prolonged use of electronic devices in the population nowadays contributes to the development of various musculoskeletal disorders affecting the neck. One such condition is the Text neck syndrome characterized by neck pain and muscular imbalance in the region as well as development of forward head posture. Some additional symptoms include headaches, impaired range of motion and eye strain. Eyeball exercises have been shown to improve symptoms of neck pain, and cervical stabilization has demonstrated positive effects on the deep cervical flexors, thereby improving forward head posture and other neck-associated symptoms. However, the combined effect of these two interventions has not been studied to treat text neck syndrome before. The primary outcome measures include the pain measured through Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and pain pressure threshold (algometer), whereas the secondary outcome measures include the craniovertebral angle (CVA) and functional disability measured through neck disability index (NDI).

Conditions

• Text Neck Syndrome

Interventions

OTHER

Physiotherapy care, Cervical Stabilization and Eyeball Exercises

Physiotherapy care: 30minutes of physiotherapy, including hotpack for 10 minutes,cervical stretching (3sets/15-second hold,5 repetitions), cervical isometrics (5-10 reps/3sets), postural correction exercises (5-10 reps/2-3 sets), active ROMs of the neck.•Cervical Stabilization: Pressure biofeedback unit will be used, the patient will perform chin tucks while the inflated unit is below the head at 20mmHg initially, and will be raised to 30mmHg. A 10 seconds hold with 10 repetitions, including a 10-second rest interval between. A total of 3sets will be performed with 15second interval between each set. 15 minutes total •Eyeball exercises:The patient is then asked to carry out the described eyeball movements, each movement to be held for 10 seconds and repeated 4 times through the maximum range,directions: Leftward, rightward, upper left, lower left, upper and lower right, left and right side circular, leftward and rightward figure 8 rotation. 2sets with 15seconds interval. 15 mins total.

OTHER

Phyisotherapy Care, Cervical Stabilization and placebo exercises

Physiotherapy care:30minutes of physiotherapy, including hotpack for 10 minutes, cervical stretching(3sets/15second hold, 5reps), cervical isometrics(5-10 reps/3sets), postural correction exercises(5-10 reps/2-3 sets), active ROMs of the neck.•Cervical stabilization: Pressure biofeedback unit will be used, the patient will perform chin tucks while the inflated unit is below the head at 20mmHg initially, and will be raised to 30mmHg. A10seconds hold with 10 repetitions, including a 10second rest interval between. A total of 3sets will be performed with 15second interval between each set,15 minutes total. •Placebo treatment:These exercises will take 10-15 minutes and the purpose is to engage the patient. These exercises do not have any effect on the ocular muscle of the eye and will only serve as a source of relaxation and lubrication for the eyes of the patient: blink slowly \& fully (10reps,3sets with10-15seconds interval), fix gaze (10seconds, 3-5reps), eyes closed breathing 60seconds.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Lahore

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Sahreen Anwar, Ph.D · University of Lahore

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

25 Years

Max Age

50 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-11-15

Primary Completion

2026-08-15

Completion

2026-09-15

Countries

• Pakistan

Study Locations