This randomized controlled trial aims to determine the effectiveness of myofascial release therapy in university students with text neck syndrome as prolonged smartphone and digital gadgets use has been associated with neck pain, forward head posture, and increased perceived stress among young adults with screen time more than 3 hours. Participants will be randomly allocated into control group and intervention group and will be treated for 4 weeks. Clinical outcomes including neck pain, neck pain intensity, craniovertebral angle for posture assessment, and perceived stress levels will be measured at baseline and post-intervention. The study seeks to determine whether Myofascial Release Therapy acts as a non-invasive technique in improving musculoskeletal and psychosocial parameters related to text neck.
1. university students from age group of 18-30 2. Both genders 3. Students with Text Neck Syndrome diagnosed via Forward head Posture (through measuring craniovertebral angle) <50° 4. Minimum Pain measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ≥ 3/10 5. Pain Intensity measured through Neck Disability Index (NDI > 10%) 6. A PSS-10 Score of >14 in individuals with daily gadget use and FHP. 7. Usage of handheld digital gadgets including smartphones and tablets ≥ 3 hours
1. History of cervical trauma, surgery or any spine deformity which is congenital 2. History of diagnosed cervical disorders i.e cervical spondylosis, cervical spondylolisthesis, disc herniation 3. Any diagnosed neurological condition which affects cognition or any previous cervical spine surgery 4. Any history of diagnosed anxiety and psychiatric conditions 5. Currently receiving any form of physical therapy or using any muscle relaxants or painkillers
Parallel
Myofascial Release Therapy
BehavioralParticipants will receive Myofascial Release Therapy targeting neck and upper back muscles, 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. This is a physical therapy intervention.
Standard Care (Treatment as Usual)
BehavioralParticipants will receive conventional physiotherapy including postural correction exercises, stretching of neck and upper back muscles, and ergonomic education. Outcomes will be measured after the intervention.
Neck Pain
Neck pain will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where participants rate their pain intensity on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain)
Perceived Stress
Perceived stress will be assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), a validated questionnaire measuring the degree to which situations in one's life are appraised as stressful.
Forward Head Posture
Forward Head Posture will be measured using the craniovertebral angle (CVA) from lateral photographs using Kinovea Software. A smaller angle indicates a more pronounced forward head posture.
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