CompletedNot Applicable

Scapular Stabilization Exercises Combined With Thoracic Mobilization in Breast Feeding Mothers With Upper Back Pain

Pakistan70 participantsStarted 2026-02-24

Plain-language summary

Upper-back pain is common among breastfeeding mothers and may be associated with prolonged feeding positions, forward-bent posture, reduced thoracic mobility, and weakness of the muscles controlling the shoulder blades. This study will compare scapular stabilization exercises combined with thoracic spine mobilization with scapular stabilization exercises alone in breastfeeding mothers experiencing upper-back pain. Seventy eligible breastfeeding mothers aged 18-35 years will be assigned to one of two treatment groups. Both groups will receive scapular stabilization exercises, while one group will additionally receive thoracic mobilization performed by a trained physiotherapist. Treatment will be provided three times per week for eight weeks. Pain intensity, functional ability, and spinal range of motion will be assessed at baseline, Week 4, and Week 8. The study aims to determine whether adding thoracic mobilization to scapular stabilization exercises provides greater improvement in pain, mobility, and daily functioning than scapular stabilization exercises alone.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 35 Years

Sex

FEMALE

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: * Women in the early postpartum period (0-3 months following childbirth) (Ratajczak \& Górnowicz, 2024). * Women who were exclusively breastfeeding and experiencing upper back pain associated with breastfeeding activities within the first 3 months postpartum (Ojukwu et al., 2025). * Participants reporting moderate upper back pain, defined as a score of 4-7 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) at the time of recruitment (Bharti et al., 2024). Exclusion Criteria: * History of cervical spine trauma, surgery, or fracture (Yan et al., 2023). * Presence of neurological disorders, cervical radiculopathy, myelopathy, or musculoskeletal conditions unrelated to breastfeeding that could influence neck pain, cervical mobility, or functional performance (Yonus et al., 2025). * Diagnosed systemic illnesses or medical conditions that may contraindicate exercise participation, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoporosis, uncontrolled hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or other inflammatory or metabolic disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system (Womsi et al., 2025). * Concurrent pain in other body regions (e.g., shoulder, thoracic spine, upper back, or upper extremity pain) that could interfere with exercise participation or influence outcome measurements (Rana et al., 2024). * Ongoing physiotherapy, rehabilitation, or medical treatment for neck pain during the study period (Ratajczak \& Górnowicz, 2024).

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 Pain Intensity Assessed Using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale

Timeframe: Baseline and immediately after completion of the intervention

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07766148

SponsorUniversity of Lahore

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-07-14

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