| CTRI Number |
CTRI/2026/03/106014 [Registered on: 12/03/2026] Trial Registered Prospectively |
| Last Modified On: |
11/03/2026 |
| 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
|
EFFECT OF RIB MOBILIZATION VERSUS CERVICOTHORACIC MOBILIZATION AS AN ADJUNCT TO POSTURAL CORRECTION EXERCISES IN FORWARD HEAD POSTURE |
|
Scientific Title of Study
|
EFFECT OF RIB MOBILIZATION VS CERVICOTHORACIC MOBILIZATION AS AN ADJUNCT TO POSTURAL CORRECTION EXERCISES IN FORWARD HEAD POSTURE : A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL |
| Trial Acronym |
nil |
|
Secondary IDs if Any
|
| Secondary ID |
Identifier |
| NIL |
NIL |
|
|
Details of Principal Investigator or overall Trial Coordinator (multi-center study)
|
| Name |
Dr Apeksha Hungund |
| Designation |
Assistant Professor , Department of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy |
| Affiliation |
KAHER institute of physiotherapy |
| Address |
Advanced Physiotherapy Centre, room no. 39, Sagarfloor, KLE Dr. Prabhakar kore Hospital and MRC, Nehrunagar
Belgaum
KARNATAKA
590010
India |
| Phone |
8310725829 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
apeksha_hungund@klekipt.edu.in |
|
Details of Contact Person
Scientific Query
|
| Name |
Dr Apeksha Hungund |
| Designation |
Assistant Professor , Department of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy |
| Affiliation |
KAHER institute of physiotherapy |
| Address |
Advanced Physiotherapy Centre, room no. 39, Sagarfloor, KLE Dr. Prabhakar kore Hospital and MRC, Nehrunagar
Belgaum
KARNATAKA
590010
India |
| Phone |
8310725829 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
apeksha_hungund@klekipt.edu.in |
|
Details of Contact Person
Public Query
|
| Name |
Vedangi Bagli |
| Designation |
Post Graduate |
| Affiliation |
KAHER institute of physiotherapy |
| Address |
Advanced Physiotherapy Centre, room no. 39, Sagarfloor, KLE Dr. Prabhakar kore Hospital and MRC, Nehrunagar
Belgaum
KARNATAKA
590010
India |
| Phone |
07066475782 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
vedangi.bagli.physio@gmail.com |
|
|
Source of Monetary or Material Support
|
| KLE Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital, Nehru Nagar, Belagavi |
|
|
Primary Sponsor
|
| Name |
vedangi Bagli |
| Address |
KLES Dr Prabhakar Kore Hospital and MRC, Physiotherapy Centre Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Department
Room Nagar, Belagavi, Karnataka-590010 Belgaum |
| Type of Sponsor |
Other [self] |
|
|
Details of Secondary Sponsor
|
|
|
Countries of Recruitment
|
India |
|
Sites of Study
|
| No of Sites = 1 |
| Name of Principal
Investigator |
Name of Site |
Site Address |
Phone/Fax/Email |
| Vedangi Bagli |
KLE Dr Prabhakar kore Hospital , Belagavi |
Advanced Physiotherapy Centre, room no. 39, Sagarfloor, KLE Dr. Prabhakar kore Hospital and MRC, Nehrunagar
Belgaum
KARNATAKA |
07066475782
vedangi.bagli.physio@gmail.com |
|
|
Details of Ethics Committee
|
| No of Ethics Committees= 1 |
| Name of Committee |
Approval Status |
| Research & Ethical Committee, KLEU Institute of Physiotherapy,BELAGAVI |
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 |
Cervicothoracic Mobilization With Postural Correction Exercises |
Participants will receive cervicothoracic mobilization using Maitland concept techniques along with postural correction exercises. Mobilization will be performed in prone position using central and unilateral posteroanterior glides over cervicothoracic vertebrae from C seven to T three levels. Grades three and four mobilization will be applied for stiffness correction. Each segment will receive mobilization for about one minute with rest between repetitions.
Postural correction exercises will include chin tuck exercise, scapular retraction exercise, Y T W exercise, cervical extensor stretching, pectoralis stretching, and sternocleidomastoid stretching. Each exercise will be performed for ten repetitions with appropriate holding time.
The intervention will be given for ten sessions over a period of two weeks. |
| Intervention |
Rib Mobilization With Postural Correction Exercises |
Participants will receive rib mobilization using Maitland concept techniques along with postural correction exercises. Rib mobilization will be performed in prone position using posteroanterior oscillatory pressure over the costovertebral joints. Grades three and four mobilization will be applied for stiffness correction. Each rib will be mobilized for thirty to sixty seconds with two to three repetitions per side.
Postural correction exercises will include chin tuck exercise, scapular retraction exercise, Y T W exercise, cervical extensor stretching, pectoralis stretching, and sternocleidomastoid stretching. Each exercise will be performed for ten repetitions with appropriate holding time.
The intervention will be given for ten sessions over a period of two weeks. |
|
|
Inclusion Criteria
|
| Age From |
18.00 Year(s) |
| Age To |
45.00 Year(s) |
| Gender |
Both |
| Details |
Participants aged between 18 and 45 years. Participants with forward head posture defined as craniovertebral angle less than 50 degrees. Participants with disability score more than 20 percent on Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire. Participants who are willing to participate and provide written informed consent. |
|
| ExclusionCriteria |
| Details |
Participants with recent fracture or trauma to chest or thoracic region. Participants with history of respiratory disease or thoracic or spinal surgery. Participants with cervical spine conditions such as cervical spondylosis, radiculopathy, or cervical rib. Pregnant women or those planning pregnancy. Participants with contraindications to manual therapy. Participants with diagnosed vestibular disorders. |
|
|
Method of Generating Random Sequence
|
Other |
|
Method of Concealment
|
Not Applicable |
|
Blinding/Masking
|
Not Applicable |
|
Primary Outcome
|
| Outcome |
TimePoints |
| CVA using kinovea App |
PRE ASSESEMENT OF OUTCOME MEASURE WILL BE DONE AND POST INTERVENTION AFTER 2 WEEKS
|
|
|
Secondary Outcome
|
| Outcome |
TimePoints |
THORACIC EXPANSION
NORTHWICK PARK NECK PAIN QUESTIONNAIRE |
Pre assessment and Post assessment of
outcome measures will be done immediately
post intervention |
|
|
Target Sample Size
|
Total Sample Size="52"
Sample Size from India="52"
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)
|
25/03/2026 |
| 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="0"
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
|
Forward head posture (FHP) is a common postural problem associated with neck pain, reduced thoracic mobility, and functional limitations. Manual therapy techniques such as rib mobilization and cervicothoracic mobilization, along with postural correction exercises, are used to improve posture and mobility. However, there is limited evidence comparing their effectiveness. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effect of rib mobilization versus cervicothoracic mobilization as an adjunct to postural correction exercises in individuals with forward head posture. Fifty-two participants aged 18–45 years will be randomly allocated into two groups. One group will receive rib mobilization with postural correction exercises, and the other group will receive cervicothoracic mobilization with postural correction exercises for 10 sessions over 2 weeks. Outcome measures will include craniovertebral angle, thoracic expansion, and Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire. The study will help determine the more effective treatment approach for improving posture, thoracic mobility, and functional outcomes in individuals with forward head posture. |