Progressive Muscle Relaxation Vs Muscle Energy Technique on Nonspecific Neck Pain in Prolonged Computer Users.
NCT ID: NCT06918535
Last Updated: 2026-01-08
Study Results
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Basic Information
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RECRUITING
NA
60 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2025-04-22
2026-04-30
Brief Summary
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Detailed Description
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Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
DOUBLE
Study Groups
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Group A (Intervention)
To start Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique with deep breathing, individuals will be trained to sit in a comfortable position with or without eyes opening. It will involve relaxing neck muscles through a two-step process. First, participants will be commanded to tense the particular SCM and upper trapezius muscle by active contraction along with deep breathing (deeply and slowly inhaling through the nose). Then, they will be commanded to squeeze the muscles as hard as they can, holding for 5-10 seconds, after that employees will be asked to relax the muscle for 10-15 seconds while relaxing the muscle employees will be asked to exhale slowly through the mouth (5 repetitions for each side). Intervention will be given for 30 minutes for 6 days a week for 2 weeks.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is a relaxation technique that involves systematically tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in the body to reduce physical tension and stress. Developed by Edmund Jacobson in the 1930s, PMR aims to promote deep relaxation by increasing awareness of muscle tension and learning to release it. The technique is typically performed in a quiet environment, starting from the feet and progressing upward or vice versa. It is commonly used for stress management, pain relief, anxiety reduction, and improving overall well-being.
Group B (Control)
Muscle Energy Technique with deep breathing
* Trapezius Muscle: The therapist will position the patient supine, supporting the back of the patient's head with one hand and placing the other on the clavicle. The head will be bent forward, rotated, and bent toward the same side to test for flexibility, and then brought midway between the initial and fully rotated positions. The patient will breathe in, hold their breath, and perform isometric (20% of max force) while the therapist provides resistance for 6-7 seconds, followed by a stretch during exhalation, to be repeated 3-4 times.
* Sternocleidomastoid Muscle: The patient will be supine with a cushion under the shoulder, tilting the head slightly back. The therapist will place one hand on the mastoid and the other on the sternum. The patient will rotate the head to the opposite side, lift it while holding breath while the therapist provides resistance for 6-7 second
Muscle Energy Technique
Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is a manual therapy approach that uses the patient's voluntary muscle contractions against a controlled resistance provided by the therapist to improve musculoskeletal function. It is commonly used to lengthen shortened muscles, improve joint mobility, and reduce pain. MET works by engaging the target muscles in an isometric or isotonic contraction, followed by a relaxation phase, allowing for a greater stretch or repositioning of the joint. It is frequently used in physiotherapy for conditions such as muscle tightness, joint restrictions, and postural imbalances.
Interventions
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Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is a relaxation technique that involves systematically tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in the body to reduce physical tension and stress. Developed by Edmund Jacobson in the 1930s, PMR aims to promote deep relaxation by increasing awareness of muscle tension and learning to release it. The technique is typically performed in a quiet environment, starting from the feet and progressing upward or vice versa. It is commonly used for stress management, pain relief, anxiety reduction, and improving overall well-being.
Muscle Energy Technique
Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is a manual therapy approach that uses the patient's voluntary muscle contractions against a controlled resistance provided by the therapist to improve musculoskeletal function. It is commonly used to lengthen shortened muscles, improve joint mobility, and reduce pain. MET works by engaging the target muscles in an isometric or isotonic contraction, followed by a relaxation phase, allowing for a greater stretch or repositioning of the joint. It is frequently used in physiotherapy for conditions such as muscle tightness, joint restrictions, and postural imbalances.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Age between 20-45.
* Hypertonicity of trapezius muscle and SCM muscle. Specifically, those workers have neck pain and stiffness (including trouble tilting or turning head). Patients who reported small tightening and spasm at the posterior aspect of their neck are included, also associated with more diffuse neck pain patterns that included the following: headache, (upper back, neck and shoulder pain) numbness/ tingling in the hand/arm.
* Pain intensity of 2 on the NRS and presence of at least one latent trigger point in a taut band in the neck region.
Exclusion Criteria
20 Years
45 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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Dow University of Health Sciences
OTHER
Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
OTHER
IQRA University
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Syeda Waniya Riaz
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigators
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Syeda Waniya Riaz, PhD (scholar), MSAPT, DPT
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
IQRA University
Locations
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Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Facility Contacts
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References
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Related Links
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Related Info
Stress effects on the body \[Internet\]. American Psychological Association
Jacobson, E. Progressive relaxation. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 1929.
Progressive muscle relaxation: Benefits, techniques, and more \[Internet\]. MediLexicon International.
Norelli SK, Long A, Krepps JM. Relaxation Techniques. StatPearls \[Internet\]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. 2021.
Other Identifiers
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IQRAU
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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