CompletedNot Applicable

Comparison of Bowen Therapy and Post-isometric Relaxation Technique in Patients With Text Neck Syndrome

Pakistan42 participantsStarted 2025-12-11

Plain-language summary

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of Bowen Therapy and Post-Isometric Relaxation Technique (PIRT) in the management of Text Neck Syndrome, a musculoskeletal condition caused by prolonged forward head posture during mobile phone or screen use. The study follows a randomized clinical trial design, ensuring that participants are randomly assigned to either the Bowen Therapy group or the PIRT group to minimize bias. The total study duration is nine months, including a six-week treatment phase and a three-week follow-up period. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, mid-intervention (3 weeks), post-intervention (6 weeks), and follow-up (9 weeks) to evaluate the short-term and sustained effects of both interventions. A consecutive sampling technique will be used, and participants who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria will provide informed written consent before enrollment. The sample size was determined using G\*Power software (v3.1.9.7), based on previous research (Seemal et al., 2022), with an assumed large effect size (d = 1.0), α = 0.05, and 80% power. After accounting for a 20% attrition rate, a total of 42 participants (21 per group) will be included in the study. Overall, this study seeks to provide evidence on which therapeutic approach-Bowen Therapy or Post-Isometric Relaxation-is more effective in reducing pain, improving range of motion, and enhancing posture in individuals with Text Neck Syndrome.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 35 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged between 18 to 35 years, inclusive of both genders. Craniovertebral angle less than 50 degrees indicating forward head posture. Self-reported neck pain onset or worsening associated with screen use e.g. pain and stiffness during or after prolonged device use. Neck pain intensity of at least 4 to 7 on Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Daily screen time of ≥4 hours per day including smartphones, tablet, laptop, and desktop use for at least 5 days per week. Exclusion Criteria: * Cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy. History of Cervical Spine Surgery. Recent (within three months) trauma to neck or shoulder region. Diagnosis of fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis or any other inflammatory joint condition. Ongoing treatment for neck pain from another healthcare provider. Neurological conditions affecting muscle tone or coordination. Severe postural abnormalities from congenital conditions.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in Neck Pain Intensity Measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale

Timeframe: Baseline and 6 weeks (post-intervention)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07480746

SponsorUniversity of Lahore

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-02-11

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Text Neck Syndrome trials