Effects of Myokinetic Stretching Technique and Post Facilitation Stretching on Pain, Range of Motion, and Functional Disability in Patients With Cervical Radicular Pain

Summary

Cervical radicular pain (CRP) is a musculoskeletal condition characterized by neck pain radiating to the upper limb due to compression or irritation of cervical nerve roots. It significantly affects daily activities, cervical mobility, and overall quality of life. Conventional physical therapy focuses on reducing pain and improving function; however, there is limited evidence comparing the effectiveness of different stretching techniques used in clinical practice.

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of Myokinetic Stretching Technique (MST) and Post Facilitation Stretching (PFS) on pain intensity, cervical range of motion, and functional disability in patients with cervical radicular pain.

A total of 70 participants with cervical radicular pain (\>4 weeks) will be randomly allocated into two groups:

Group A (Myokinetic Stretching Technique Group) - receiving MST along with conventional therapy including hot pack application, cervical isometric exercises, neurodynamic gliding, and continuous cervical traction.

Group B (Post Facilitation Stretching Group) - receiving Post Facilitation Stretching along with the same conventional therapy.

The intervention will be conducted for 4 weeks, with 3 sessions per week on alternate days, each session lasting approximately 45 minutes.

Outcome measures will include:

Pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Cervical range of motion measured using a goniometer Functional disability assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI)

This study aims to determine the more effective stretching technique for reducing pain, improving cervical mobility, and enhancing functional outcomes, thereby supporting evidence-based physiotherapy practice in managing cervical radicular pain.

Conditions

• Cervical Radicular Pain

Interventions

OTHER

Myokinetic Stretching Technique

Participants in this group will receive Myokinetic Stretching Technique (MST) along with conventional physiotherapy treatment. The program will be delivered for 4 weeks, with 3 sessions per week on alternate days, each session lasting approximately 45 minutes. Conventional treatment will include hot pack application to the cervical region, cervical isometric exercises (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation), neurodynamic gliding techniques, and continuous cervical traction. MST will be applied to the cervical musculature, particularly the trapezius muscle. The participant will be positioned in supine, and the therapist will perform controlled lateral flexion stretching followed by myofascial release using sustained pressure (5-10 seconds). The technique will be performed in sets with brief rest intervals to improve muscle flexibility and reduce pain.

OTHER

Post facilitation stretching

Participants in this group will receive Post Facilitation Stretching (PFS) along with conventional physiotherapy treatment. The program will be conducted for 4 weeks, with 3 sessions per week on alternate days, each session lasting approximately 45 minutes. Conventional treatment will include hot pack application to the cervical region, cervical isometric exercises (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation), neurodynamic gliding techniques, and continuous cervical traction. PFS will be applied to the cervical musculature, particularly the trapezius muscle. The participant will be positioned in supine, and the therapist will guide the muscle into a neutral position followed by a strong voluntary contraction for approximately 10 seconds. After relaxation, a rapid passive stretch will be applied and held briefly. The procedure will be repeated in sets with short rest intervals to improve muscle extensibility and reduce pain.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Shoaib Waqas · Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

30 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-06-29

Primary Completion

2026-07-30

Completion

2026-09-15

Countries

• Pakistan

Study Locations