Effects of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Sensory Motor Mismatch in Text Neck Syndrome.
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: IASTM + Conventional Physiotherapy, Conventional Physiotherapy (Exercise-based) (control group).
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Text Neck Syndrome. Basic parameters: 18 years — 30 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Pakistan
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Overview
Text Neck Syndrome is increasingly common in young adults due to prolonged smartphone use and is linked to postural changes and impaired sensorimotor control. Although its effects on visual-vestibular integration, balance, and proprioception are still unknown, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) may improve neuromuscular function by enhancing afferent input and mechanoreceptor stimulation. This study investigates whether IASTM can improve sensorimotor processing in individuals with Text Neck Syndrome.
Detailed description
This study aims to bridge that gap by investigating whether mechanical soft tissue stimulation can influence sensorimotor processing, balance and proprioception in individuals with Text Neck Syndrome. The study design used for this literature would be Randomized Control Trial, consisting of two groups; Experimental group (IASTM) \& Control group (conventional treatment). Study sample is 66 participants meeting the inclusion criteria chosen according to non-probability convenient sampling. 33 participants will be to each of the control and interventional group. IASTM is applied using stainless steel Garston tools along with the conventional therapy for experimental group while control group will be given conventional therapy only. Two sessions will be given per week and total eight sessions will be given over the period of one month. And results will be recorded at the base level, at fourth session and then at 8th session for both groups.
Interventions
- Other IASTM + Conventional Physiotherapy
Participants will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in addition to conventional physiotherapy. IASTM will be applied to the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital muscles, and cervical extensors using stainless steel instruments. Conventional therapy will include cervical isometric exercises, deep cervical flexor activation, scapular strengthening exercises, stretching exercises, thoracic extension exercises, and postural re-education. Tre - Other Conventional Physiotherapy (Exercise-based) (control group)
Participants will receive conventional physiotherapy consisting of cervical isometric strengthening exercises, deep cervical flexor activation exercises, scapular strengthening exercises, stretching exercises, thoracic extension exercises, and postural re-education. Treatment will be administered twice weekly for 4 weeks (8 sessions total).
Primary outcome measures
- Fukuda stepping test - vestibular deviation [Time frame: 4 weeks]
- Dynamic visual acuity test [Time frame: 4 weeks]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
- Cervical Joint Position Error (JPE) Test [Time frame: 4 weeks]
- Berg Balance Scale (BBS) [Time frame: 4 weeks]
- Universal Goniometer [Time frame: 4 weeks]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Adults aged 18-30
- Using the phone or computer for 3 h or more per day.
- The presence of 3 out of the following 6 symptoms:
- Neck pain (recurrent history of neck pain in the previous 4 months, a pain level greater than or equal to 4/10 on the NPRS (moderate pain))
- Upper back pain,
- Shoulder pain,
- Headache (tension type headache due to tension in sub-occipitals)
- Insomnia
- Tingling and numbness in the upper limbs
- Cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) <48-50° on digital photogrammetry
- Individuals having sensory-motor mismatch (positive Fukuda test:>45° degrees, abnormal dynamic visual acuity, positive cervical JPE>4.5°)
- Voluntary participation
Exclusion criteria
- History of cervical spine surgery, trauma, or fracture
- Any diagnosed neurological disorders (cervical radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, etc.)
- Any diagnosed MSK related issue (torticollis, scoliosis, diagnosed disc prolapse, stenosis, herniation, spondylolisthesis, osteoporosis, etc.)
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Single blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Pakistan · 1 center
- Railway General Hospital — Rawalpindi
Publications
- 1. Kumar N. Latest Smartphone Usage Statistics (2025 Data & Trends). Demandsage [Internet]. 2025.
- Tsantili AR, Chrysikos D, Troupis T. Text Neck Syndrome: Disentangling a New Epidemic. Acta Med Acad. 2022 Aug;51(2):123-127. doi: 10.5644/ama2006-124.380. PMID 36318004
- Piruta J, Kulak W. Physiotherapy in Text Neck Syndrome: A Scoping Review of Current Evidence and Future Directions. J Clin Med. 2025 Feb 19;14(4):1386. doi: 10.3390/jcm14041386. PMID 40004916
- Kaya M, Ucgun H, Denizoglu Kulli H. The effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on individuals with text neck syndrome: A randomized controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Jul 26;103(30):e38716. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038716. PMID 39058818
- Mylonas K, Angelopoulos P, Billis E, Tsepis E, Fousekis K. Combining targeted instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization applications and neuromuscular exercises can correct forward head posture and improve the functionality of patients with mechanical neck pain: a randomized control study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021 Feb 21;22(1):212. doi: 10.1186/s12891-021-04080-4. PMID 33612123
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07716137 · RCRAHS-ISB/REC/MS-PT/02433