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CTRI Number  CTRI/2025/09/095215 [Registered on: 22/09/2025] Trial Registered Prospectively
Last Modified On: 20/09/2025
Post Graduate Thesis  Yes 
Type of Trial  Interventional 
Type of Study   Physiotherapy (Not Including YOGA) 
Study Design  Randomized, Parallel Group Trial 
Public Title of Study   Finding Relief from Neck Pain: Comparing Two Hands-On treatments 
Scientific Title of Study   A Comparative Study on Myofascial Release and Muscle Energy Technique for Mechanical Neck Pain 
Trial Acronym  nil 
Secondary IDs if Any  
Secondary ID  Identifier 
NIL  NIL 
 
Details of Principal Investigator or overall Trial Coordinator (multi-center study)  
Name  Dorjee Sona 
Designation  master of physiotherapy(ortho) student  
Affiliation  lovely professional university 
Address  Lovely Professional University Jalandhar Delhi GT Road Phagwara Punjab India 144411 physiotherapy department school of allied medical sciences block 3 room no.105
Lovely Professional University Jalandhar Delhi GT Road Phagwara Punjab India 144411 physiotherapy department school of allied medical sciences block 3 room no.105
Jalandhar
PUNJAB
144411
India 
Phone  9362374696  
Fax    
Email  sonadorjee12@gmail.com  
 
Details of Contact Person
Scientific Query  
Name  Aman Navneet Kaur  
Designation  assistant professor  
Affiliation  lovely professional university 
Address  Lovely Professional University Jalandhar Delhi GT Road Phagwara Punjab India 144411 physiotherapy department school of allied medical sciences block 3 room no.105
Lovely Professional University Jalandhar Delhi GT Road Phagwara Punjab India 144411 physiotherapy department school of allied medical sciences block 3 room no.105
Jalandhar
PUNJAB
144411
India 
Phone  08054304902  
Fax    
Email  dr.amannavneet@gmail.com  
 
Details of Contact Person
Public Query  
Name  Aman Navneet Kaur  
Designation  assistant professor  
Affiliation  lovely professional university 
Address  Lovely Professional University Jalandhar Delhi GT Road Phagwara Punjab India 144411 physiotherapy department school of allied medical sciences block 3 room no.105
Lovely Professional University Jalandhar Delhi GT Road Phagwara Punjab India 144411 physiotherapy department school of allied medical sciences block 3 room no.105
Jalandhar
PUNJAB
144411
India 
Phone  08054304902  
Fax    
Email  dr.amannavneet@gmail.com  
 
Source of Monetary or Material Support  
lovely professional university 
 
Primary Sponsor  
Name  Dorjee Sona 
Address  Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar-Delhi G.T. Road, Phagwara, Punjab, India - 144411 
Type of Sponsor  Other [self] 
 
Details of Secondary Sponsor  
Name  Address 
NIL  NIL 
 
Countries of Recruitment     India  
Sites of Study  
No of Sites = 1  
Name of Principal Investigator  Name of Site  Site Address  Phone/Fax/Email 
Dr Aman Navneet Kaur PT  lovely professional university  departmental physiotherapy OPD block 3 room no 105
Jalandhar
PUNJAB 		 08054304902

dr.amannavneet@gmail.com 
 
Details of Ethics Committee  
No of Ethics Committees= 1  
Name of Committee  Approval Status 
Institutional Ethical Committee  Approved 
 
Regulatory Clearance Status from DCGI  
Status 
Not Applicable 
 
Health Condition / Problems Studied  
Health Type  Condition 
Healthy Human Volunteers  Mechanical non-specific neck pain; pain provoked by movement/posture.  
 
Intervention / Comparator Agent  
Type  Name  Details 
Comparator Agent  1.Myofascial release (MFR)   Group A – Myofascial Release (MFR) Target muscles/fascial regions: Upper trapezius, levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital muscles. Technique: Gentle, sustained manual pressure applied over areas of fascial tightness until a release is perceived. Methods used: Cross-hand fascial stretch Longitudinal gliding along cervical fascia Suboccipital release Frequency: 3 sessions per week × 4 weeks = 12 sessions. Duration per session: 20–30 minutes. Therapeutic goal: Reduce fascial restriction, enhance tissue elasticity, improve local circulation, and decrease pain. 
Intervention  2.Muscle energy technique(MET)  Group B – Muscle Energy Technique (MET) Target muscles/joints: Cervical flexors, extensors, rotators, and side-benders. Technique: Patient contracts the target muscle isometrically (Minimum effort) against therapist resistance for 5–10 seconds. Followed by relaxation and gentle stretch into the new range for 10–15 seconds. Repeated 3–5 times per restricted movement. Methods applied: Post-isometric relaxation Reciprocal inhibition (when appropriate) Frequency: 3 sessions per week × 4 weeks = 12 sessions. Duration per session: 20-30 minutes. Therapeutic goal: Correct muscle imbalances, normalize tone, increase cervical ROM, and reduce pain. 
 
Inclusion Criteria  
Age From  20.00 Year(s)
Age To  45.00 Year(s)
Gender  Both 
Details  Age 20 to 45 years
Sex Male and Female
Duration Subacute more than 1 week and less than 12 weeks
Diagnosis Mechanical non-specific neck pain pain provoked by movement or posture eased by rest
Pain Intensity NPRS 3 to 7 mild to moderate pain
ROM Restriction less than 10 degree limitation in at least one cervical movement flexion extension rotation side bending
Function NDI 10 to 28 mild to moderate disability
Consent Willing to participate and provide informed consent 
 
ExclusionCriteria 
Details  Red Flags Fracture tumor infection inflammatory disease
Neurology Myelopathy signs Cervical radiculopathy Spurling and neuro deficit
Vascular Suspected cervical arterial dysfunction
Trauma Recent whiplash or major cervical trauma less than 6 to 12 months
Surgery Prior cervical spine surgery
Systemic Systemic disease affecting pain rheumatoid arthritis fibromyalgia thyroid
Bone Health Severe osteoporosis
Pregnancy If intervention and outcome measures contraindicated
Medication Recent change in analgesic and muscle relaxant dose less than 2 weeks
Concurrent Care New neck focused treatment in past 4 weeks
Primary Dx Non mechanical primary diagnosis cervicogenic headache migraine
Feasibility Unable to complete VAS NDI ROM assessments
Compensation Ongoing litigation or compensation claim 
 
Method of Generating Random Sequence   Coin toss, Lottery, toss of dice, shuffling cards etc 
Method of Concealment   Other 
Blinding/Masking   Participant Blinded 
Primary Outcome  
Outcome  TimePoints 
visual analogue scale (1-10cm)  Time Point When Session
Baseline Week 0 (start) Session 1
Mid-treatment Week 2 (halfway Session 6
Post-treatment Week 4 (end) Session 12
Follow-up Week 12 (no treatment) nil 
 
Secondary Outcome  
Outcome  TimePoints 
1.Neck disability index(NDI)
2.Goniometre (ROM) 		 Time Point When Session Outcome Measures
Baseline Week 0 (start) Session 1 Goniometer (Cervical ROM), NDI
Mid-treatment Week 2 (halfway)Session 6 Goniometer (Cervical ROM), NDI
Post-treatment Week 4 (end) Session 12 Goniometer (Cervical ROM), NDI
Follow-up Week 12 (no treatment)nil Goniometer (Cervical ROM), NDI 
 
Target Sample Size   Total Sample Size="82"
Sample Size from India="82" 
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   N/A 
Date of First Enrollment (India)   01/10/2025 
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="0"
Months="4"
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 - YES
  1. What data in particular will be shared?
    Response - All of the individual participant data collected during the trial, after de-identification.

  2. What additional supporting information will be shared?
    Response -  Study Protocol
    Response -  Statistical Analysis Plan
    Response - Informed Consent Form

  3. Who will be able to view these files?
    Response - Anyone

  4. For what types of analyses will this data be available?
    Response - To achieve aims in the approved proposal.

  5. By what mechanism will data be made available?
    Response (Others) -  not publish yet

  6. For how long will this data be available start date provided 01-12-2025 and end date provided 02-12-2030?
    Response - Beginning 3 months and ending 5 years following article publication.

  7. Any URL or additional information regarding plan/policy for sharing IPD? 
    Additional Information - nil
Brief Summary  

Mechanical neck pain is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal complaints, often leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced function in daily activities. Treatment usually emphasizes non-invasive, conservative approaches, with manual therapy being central to symptom relief and functional recovery.

Among manual therapy options, Myofascial Release (MFR) and Muscle Energy Technique (MET) are widely applied in clinical practice. Both aim to reduce pain, restore mobility, and improve muscle function, but through different mechanisms. MFR targets the fascial system using gentle, sustained pressure to release restrictions, enhance tissue elasticity, and improve blood flow. MET engages the patient actively, using controlled muscle contractions against resistance to achieve relaxation, correct imbalances, and increase joint mobility via neurophysiological principles.

 This study is designed to compare the effectiveness of MFR and MET in patients aged 20–45 with subacute mechanical neck pain. Outcomes will include:

  • Pain intensity (VAS),

  • Cervical range of motion (goniometer), and 

  • Functional disability (Neck Disability Index).

Assessments will be made at baseline, mid-treatment (week 2), post-treatment (week 4), and follow-up (week 12) to evaluate both short-term and sustained effects.

The study’s significance lies in identifying which technique provides superior clinical benefits or whether they offer complementary advantages for different patient presentations of relieving pain and increase the range of motion. The findings aim to strengthen the evidence base, guide physiotherapists in selecting optimal interventions, and ultimately improve patient outcomes in the management of mechanical neck pain.

 
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