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Effectiveness of Exercise in the Treatment of Upper Cross Syndrome

NCT ID: NCT06185322

Last Updated: 2023-12-29

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

30 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-01-01

Study Completion Date

2025-01-30

Brief Summary

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Upper cross syndrome (UCS) is a common postural deformity characterized by a change in neck, torso and shoulder muscle activity and shoulder movement. UCS results in a shortening of the upper back and chest muscles as well as the muscles which provide movement to the shoulder blade. This is accompanied by weakness of the upper back muscles, shoulder blade stabilizor muscles and deep neck muscles. The resultant muscle imbalance leads to elevation of the shoulders, elongation of the neck and rounding of the back.

The change in posture which occurs in UCS changes the biomechanics of the neck and upper back and can results in neck pain, adverse effects on daily activities and productivity. To date, studies have been done on treatment of elongation of the neck using muscle relaxation techniques and manipulation of the local structures. To date, there is no study which investigates the efficacy of a specific exercise program targeting the muscles affected by UCS. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of UCS-specific exercises on neck-back pain, cervical posture, disability and quality of life.

Detailed Description

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Upper cross syndrome (UCS) is a common postural deformity characterised by a change in neck, torso and scapular muscle activity and scapular mobility. UCS results in a shortening of the upper trapezius, pectoralis majör and levator scapula muscles and weakness of the rhomboid, serratus anterior, middle and lower trapezii and deep cervical muscles such as the scalene muscles. The resultant muscle imbalance results in elevation and protraction of the shoulders, protraction of the neck and increase in kyphosis of the thoracic spine.

The change in posture seen in UCS reuslts in a change in the biomechanics of the vertebral bodies, neural arcus, musculature, faset joints, ligaments and discs which in turn can result in pain. Neck pain can negatively affect activities of daily living and function, causing disabiltiy and thus having a detrimental affect quality of life and productivity. Furthermore, studies have shown that UCS is frequently seen occuring in individuals with facet joint degeneration, myofacial pain syndrome and cervical radiculopathy. , In the literature, forward head position is treated craniocervical flexion training, muscle energy techniques, cervical coordination exercises, mobilization, manipulation and stabilization exercises. However, to date, there are no studies which investigate the effect of specific exercises aimed at resolving the muscle imblance which occurs in UCS. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of UCS-specific exercises on neck-back pain, cervical posture and alignment, disability and quality of life. ,

Conditions

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Upper Cross Syndrome

Keywords

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upper cross syndrome forward head position posture neck pain cervicalgia pain ,cervical posture balance

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Investigators Outcome Assessors
The physiatrist who will initially assess, diagnose and collect outcome measures, will be blind to the study group of the patient.

The patient will not know whether they are receiving the detailed exercise program or conventional exercise program.

Study Groups

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Neck strengthening exercises group

10 sessions of physical therapy over two weeks.Each session will consist of 20 minutes of hotpack and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and 10minutes of therapeutic ultrasound. Exercise sessions lasting 20minutes will consist of conventional neck isometric strengthening exercises under the supervision of a single physiotherapist. These exercises will be repeated 5 times each, twice daily. A brochure depicting each exercise,accompanied by a description,will be given to the patient.The patient will continue with the exercise program for 3 months and be reminded once a week via telephone.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Physical therapy program with conventional neck strengthening exercises

Intervention Type OTHER

Ten physical therapy sessions consisting of electrotherapy and conventional neck strenthening exercises

Upper Cross Syndrome exercises group

10sessions of physical therapy over two weeks.Each session will consist of 20minutes of hotpack and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and 10minutes of therapeutic ultrasound.Exercise sessions lasting 20minutes will consist of stretching and strengthening exercises under the supervision of a single physiotherapist.Strengthening exercises for the deep neck flexors,upper and middle trapezius,serratus anterior will be performed by the patient.Ten repetitions of each exercise,three times daily will be recommended.Stretching exercises will include those for the upper trapezius,pectoralis majör,levator scapula,suboccipital and sternocleidemastoid muscles and izometric neck flexion-extension exercises.These will be repeated 5times each,twice daily.A brochure depicting each exercise,accompanied by a description,will be given to the patient.The patient will continue with the exercise program for 3 months and be reminded once a week via telephone.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Physical therapy program with upper cross syndrome specific exercises

Intervention Type OTHER

Ten physical therapy sessions consisting of electrotherapy and upper cross syndrome -specific exercise program.

Interventions

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Physical therapy program with upper cross syndrome specific exercises

Ten physical therapy sessions consisting of electrotherapy and upper cross syndrome -specific exercise program.

Intervention Type OTHER

Physical therapy program with conventional neck strengthening exercises

Ten physical therapy sessions consisting of electrotherapy and conventional neck strenthening exercises

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Exclusion Criteria

* History of cervical spine trauma or surgery
* Congenital postural deformity
* A history of inflammatory arthritis
* A diagnosis of torticollis, vertigo, pregnancy, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, heart failure, ischaemic heart disease, hypertension.
Minimum Eligible Age

30 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

50 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Baskent University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Selin Ozen

Associate Professor Doctor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Other Identifiers

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KA23/139

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id