| CTRI Number |
CTRI/2025/12/099395 [Registered on: 18/12/2025] Trial Registered Prospectively |
| Last Modified On: |
11/12/2025 |
| Post Graduate Thesis |
No |
| Type of Trial |
Interventional |
|
Type of Study
|
Physiotherapy (Not Including YOGA) |
| Study Design |
Other |
|
Public Title of Study
|
Comparing Spinal Mobilization and Motor-Control Exercises on pain and functional performances in forward head posture subjects |
|
Scientific Title of Study
|
Biomechanical analysis of forward head posture and
the effects of spinal mobilization vs motor control
exercises on myofascial pain, craniovertebral angle
and functional performances among subjects with
forward head posture |
| Trial Acronym |
Nil |
|
Secondary IDs if Any
|
| Secondary ID |
Identifier |
| NIL |
NIL |
|
|
Details of Principal Investigator or overall Trial Coordinator (multi-center study)
|
| Name |
Divya J Pawani |
| Designation |
Professor |
| Affiliation |
RVS College of Physiotherapy |
| Address |
RVS College of Physiotherapy, Room no 111, Department of Orthopaedics, Trichy road, Sulur, Coimbatore- 641402
Coimbatore
TAMIL NADU
641402
India |
| Phone |
9894104255 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
jkudivya@gmail.com |
|
Details of Contact Person
Scientific Query
|
| Name |
Divya J Pawani |
| Designation |
Professor |
| Affiliation |
RVS College of Physiotherapy |
| Address |
RVS College of Physiotherapy, Room no 111, Department of Orthopaedics, Trichy road, Sulur, Coimbatore- 641402
TAMIL NADU
641402
India |
| Phone |
9894104255 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
jkudivya@gmail.com |
|
Details of Contact Person
Public Query
|
| Name |
Divya J Pawani |
| Designation |
Professor |
| Affiliation |
RVS College of Physiotherapy |
| Address |
RVS College of Physiotherapy, Room no 111, Department of Orthopaedics, Trichy road, Sulur, Coimbatore- 641402
TAMIL NADU
641402
India |
| Phone |
9894104255 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
jkudivya@gmail.com |
|
|
Source of Monetary or Material Support
|
|
|
Primary Sponsor
|
| Name |
Divya J Pawani |
| Address |
RVS College of Physiotherapy, Room no 111, Department of Orthopaedics, Trichy road, Sulur, Coimbatore- 641402 |
| Type of Sponsor |
Other [self] |
|
|
Details of Secondary Sponsor
|
|
|
Countries of Recruitment
|
India |
|
Sites of Study
|
| No of Sites = 2 |
| Name of Principal
Investigator |
Name of Site |
Site Address |
Phone/Fax/Email |
| Divya J Pawani |
KMCH HOSPITAL |
242 B, Trichy road, Sulur, Coimbatore- 641402
Coimbatore
TAMIL NADU |
9894104255
jkudivya@gmail.com |
| Divya J Pawani |
Physiotherapy outpatient department |
RVS College of Physiotherapy, Room no 111, Department of Orthopaedics, Trichy road, Sulur, Coimbatore- 641402
Coimbatore
TAMIL NADU |
9894104255
jkudivya@gmail.com |
|
|
Details of Ethics Committee
|
| No of Ethics Committees= 1 |
| Name of Committee |
Approval Status |
| INSTITUTIONAL HUMAN ETHICS COMMITTEE RVS College of Physiotherapy |
Approved |
|
|
Regulatory Clearance Status from DCGI
|
|
|
Health Condition / Problems Studied
|
| Health Type |
Condition |
| Patients |
(1) ICD-10 Condition: M95-M95||Other disorders of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue, |
|
|
Intervention / Comparator Agent
|
| Type |
Name |
Details |
| Comparator Agent |
Control group |
Conventional physiotherapy |
| Intervention |
Experimental group 1 |
Upper cervical and upper thoracic spine
mobilization along with conventional
physiotherapy |
| Intervention |
Experimental group 2 |
Motor control exercises along with
conventional physiotherapy |
|
|
Inclusion Criteria
|
| Age From |
18.00 Year(s) |
| Age To |
30.00 Year(s) |
| Gender |
Both |
| Details |
Forward Head Posture
Craniovertebral angle less than 50 degree
Both men and women of age between
18 to 30 years
Presence of Myofascial pain
Ability to provide informed consent |
|
| ExclusionCriteria |
| Details |
Neurological conditions that
influence motor control and pain
perception
Surgery and recent injuries to the
neck and or upper limbs.
Cervical disc lesions
Any cardio respiratory condition
Temporomandibular joint disorders
Rheumatological conditions
Pregnancy or recent childbirth
Cognitive or language impairments |
|
|
Method of Generating Random Sequence
|
Other |
|
Method of Concealment
|
Sequentially numbered, sealed, opaque envelopes |
|
Blinding/Masking
|
Participant Blinded |
|
Primary Outcome
|
| Outcome |
TimePoints |
Identification of biomechanical changes associated with forward head posture .There may be reduction in Myofascial Pain following both spinal mobilization and motor control exercises which are anticipated to lead to a decrease in myofascial pain, with potential differences in the degree of pain reduction between the two interventions. It is expected that spinal mobilization will result in a more significant improvement in the craniovertebral angle helping to restore proper head
alignment. Motor control exercises may also contribute to improving posture, though the changes may be more gradual and subtle. The study aims to compare the effectiveness of spinal mobilization versus motor control exercises, providing insights into which
intervention might be more effective in improving posture, pain management, and overall functional capacity for subjects with forward
head posture. |
Pre test measurement at zero week
Post test measurement at four weeks |
|
|
Secondary Outcome
|
| Outcome |
TimePoints |
| NIL |
NIL |
|
|
Target Sample Size
|
Total Sample Size="153"
Sample Size from India="153"
Final Enrollment numbers achieved (Total)= "Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials"
Final Enrollment numbers achieved (India)="Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials" |
|
Phase of Trial
|
Phase 1/ Phase 2 |
|
Date of First Enrollment (India)
|
09/02/2026 |
| Date of Study Completion (India) |
Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials |
| Date of First Enrollment (Global) |
Date Missing |
| Date of Study Completion (Global) |
Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials |
|
Estimated Duration of Trial
|
Years="1"
Months="6"
Days="0" |
|
Recruitment Status of Trial (Global)
|
Not Applicable |
| Recruitment Status of Trial (India) |
Not Yet Recruiting |
|
Publication Details
|
N/A |
|
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement
|
Will individual participant data (IPD) be shared publicly (including data dictionaries)?
Response - NO
|
|
Brief Summary
|
This study investigates Forward Head Posture, a common postural deformity linked to neck pain, reduced craniovertebral angle, and impaired functional performance. The research aims to analyze the biomechanical characteristics of FHP and compare the effectiveness of spinal mobilization versus motor control exercises, along with conventional physiotherapy. A total of 153 participants with confirmed Forward Head Posture will be assessed for myofascial pain, craniovertebral angle, mouth opening, chest expansion, and hamstring flexibility.The study has two phases: Phase I: A cross-sectional analysis to explore how age, gender, and height influence FHP biomechanics. Phase II: An experimental intervention where participants are divided into three groups: 1. Upper cervical & thoracic mobilization and conventional physiotherapy 2. Motor control exercises and conventional physiotherapy 3. Conventional physiotherapy alone
Interventions run for 4 weeks, with pre- and post-test measurements. Expected outcomes include: Reduction in myofascial pain. Improvement in craniovertebral angle Better functional performance which includes mouth opening, chest expansion, hamstring flexibility. Comparison of which treatment mobilization or motor control offers greater improvement. The study is unique due to its multi-dimensional assessment and emphasis on both postural biomechanics and functional outcomes, contributing valuable evidence for Forward head posture management. |