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CTRI Number  CTRI/2026/01/101992 [Registered on: 23/01/2026] Trial Registered Prospectively
Last Modified On: 21/01/2026
Post Graduate Thesis  Yes 
Type of Trial  Interventional 
Type of Study   Physiotherapy (Not Including YOGA) 
Study Design  Randomized, Parallel Group, Multiple Arm Trial 
Public Title of Study   Effect of a gentle pressure-release technique at the back of the head to decrease muscle tightness, head control, sleep quality and daily life in people with long-term neck pain. 
Scientific Title of Study   EFFECT OF SUBOCCIPITAL PRESSURE RELEASE TECHNIQUE ON PAIN SENSTIVITY HYPERACTIVATION OF UPPER TRAPEZIUS AND SCALENE MUSCLES HEAD REPOSITIONING ACCURACY QUALITY OF SLEEP AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENT WITH CHRONIC NECK PAIN- A RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL 
Trial Acronym  RCT 
Secondary IDs if Any  
Secondary ID  Identifier 
nil  NIL 
 
Details of Principal Investigator or overall Trial Coordinator (multi-center study)  
Name  Bhawna 
Designation  Post graduate student 
Affiliation  SGT University 
Address  SGT University B Block 4th Floor Room no: 418 Department of Physiotherapy Gurgaon Haryana

Gurgaon
HARYANA
122505
India 
Phone  08307123781  
Fax    
Email  bhawnayadav781@gmail.com  
 
Details of Contact Person
Scientific Query  
Name  Dr Priyanka Siwach 
Designation  Assistant Professor 
Affiliation  SGT University 
Address  SGT University B Block 4th Floor Department of Physiotherapy Gurgaon Haryana

Gurgaon
HARYANA
122505
India 
Phone  9812108273  
Fax    
Email  priyanka_sphy@sgtuniversity.org  
 
Details of Contact Person
Public Query  
Name  Bhawna 
Designation  Post graduate student 
Affiliation  SGT University 
Address  SGT University B Block 4th Floor Room no: 418 Department of Physiotherapy Gurgaon Haryana

Gurgaon
HARYANA
122505
India 
Phone  08307123781  
Fax  8307123781  
Email  bhawnayadav781@gmail.com  
 
Source of Monetary or Material Support  
NIL 
 
Primary Sponsor  
Name  Bhawna 
Address  SGT University, Gurgaon, Haryana 122505 
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 
Bhawna  SGT Hospital and Research Institute  SGT University B Block 4th floor Room: 418 Department of Physiotherapy Gurgaon Haryana
Gurgaon
HARYANA 		 08307123781

bhawnayadav781@gmail.com 
 
Details of Ethics Committee  
No of Ethics Committees= 1  
Name of Committee  Approval Status 
Institutional Ethical Committee of School of Physiotherapy SGT University  Approved 
 
Regulatory Clearance Status from DCGI  
Status 
Not Applicable 
 
Health Condition / Problems Studied  
Health Type  Condition 
Patients  (1) ICD-10 Condition: M542||Cervicalgia,  
 
Intervention / Comparator Agent  
Type  Name  Details 
Comparator Agent  conventional group  Conventional Exercise should be done on control group 
Intervention  Suboccipital pressure release technique  Apply gentle finger pressure to the suboccipital region and hold to allow a gradual release of tension. Follow this with gentle deep tissue release to the upper trapezius scalenes and suboccipital area focusing on tender points and applying sustained, moderate pressure. Then perform fascial scrubbing to help break adhesions and reduce fascial tightness, gradually increasing pressure over the upper trapezius scalenes and suboccipital region. Begin with light strokes and progressively increase pressure as tolerated. 
 
Inclusion Criteria  
Age From  18.00 Year(s)
Age To  40.00 Year(s)
Gender  Both 
Details  Adults aged 18 to 40 years diagnosed with chronic neck pain lasting more than 3 months
Localized pain in the neck upper trapezius suboccipital regions
Presence of trigger point on upper trapezius muscle and scalene muscle 
Diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome in the neck pain 
 
ExclusionCriteria 
Details  Participants with acute neck pain or a history of recent injury less than 3 months to the cervical spine
History of any major neurological musculoskeletal disorders cardiovascular and respiratory disease
Neck pain due to cervical spine pathology
History of any cervical surgery
Recent trauma or fracture
Use of pain-relieving medications that may affect study outcomes 
 
Method of Generating Random Sequence   Permuted block randomization, fixed 
Method of Concealment   Sequentially numbered, sealed, opaque envelopes 
Blinding/Masking   Participant Blinded 
Primary Outcome  
Outcome  TimePoints 
1.Pressure Algometer
2.Inclinometer
3.Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
4.EMG
5.PSQI
6.WHOQOL-BREF 		 Baseline and 2weeks 
 
Secondary Outcome  
Outcome  TimePoints 
Nil  Nil 
 
Target Sample Size   Total Sample Size="42"
Sample Size from India="42" 
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)   01/02/2026 
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="0"
Months="1"
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  

 Need for the Study

Chronic neck pain significantly affects daily activities and overall quality of life. Conventional treatments, such as medications and general physiotherapy, often offer only temporary relief. Manual therapy techniques like suboccipital pressure release have demonstrated potential benefits for pain relief and proprioceptive enhancement . However, more research is needed to determine their specific effects on pain, hyperactivation in the upper trapezius and scalene muscles, as well as their influence on cervical proprioception. This study aims to generate evidence-based findings that could enhance clinical treatment strategies.

Significant of the study

Chronic neck pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that leads to pain sensitivity, altered muscle activation, impaired proprioception, disturbed sleep and reduced quality of life. Hyperactivation of cervical and shoulder girdle muscles such as the upper trapezius and scalene muscles contributes to persistent pain and functional limitations. Impaired head repositioning accuracy reflects altered sensorimotor control, which further affects daily activities and postural stability.

Suboccipital pressure release technique is a manual therapy intervention widely used in physiotherapy practice to reduce myofascial tension and neuromuscular dysfunction in the cervical region. However, limited randomized controlled trials have evaluated its effects on multiple outcome domains including pain sensitivity, muscle hyperactivation, sensorimotor accuracy, sleep quality and quality of life in patients with chronic neck pain.

This randomized controlled trial aims to generate scientific evidence on the effectiveness of suboccipital pressure release technique by assessing both objective and subjective outcome measures. The findings of this study may support evidence based physiotherapy practice and help clinicians in selecting effective manual therapy interventions for the management of chronic neck pain. The results may also contribute to improved functional outcomes and overall quality of life in affected individuals.

 
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