Effects of Electrotherapy on Muscle Properties in Forward Head Posture
ConditionForward Head Posture
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-30
SponsorMedipol University
About this trial
This randomized controlled trial investigates the acute effects of three electrotherapy modalities (therapeutic ultrasound, interferential current, and TENS) on the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of neck muscles in young adults with forward head posture. Seventy-five participants will be randomly allocated to one of three groups. Muscle stiffness, oscillation frequency, and craniovertebral angle will be assessed before and immediately after a single treatment session.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Aged 18-30 years
Craniovertebral angle (CVA) < 55°
Male and female
Voluntary participation
Disqualifiers
Cervical instability
Diagnosed inflammatory joint disease
History of accident, trauma, or surgery
Cervical pain treatment within the last 6 months
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Therapeutic Ultrasound (Chattanooga Intelect® Vet)
DevicePulsed therapeutic ultrasound applied to the cervical region at 1-3 MHz frequency and 0.1-3 W/cm² intensity for 8-10 minutes in prone position, using circular head movements.
Interferential Current (Chattanooga Intelect® Vet)
DeviceBipolar interferential current applied via two electrodes covering the target muscles, \~2500 Hz carrier frequency, 100 Hz amplitude modulation frequency, for 15 minutes, at an intensity producing a clear but painless paresthesia sensation, in prone position.
Conventional TENS
DeviceConventional TENS applied via surface electrodes covering the target muscles, 60-120 Hz frequency, 50-100 µsec pulse duration, for 15 minutes, at an intensity producing a clear but painless paresthesia sensation, in prone position.
Treatment groups
75 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groupsGroup A: Ultrasound GroupActive comparator 1 intervention
Group B: Interferential Current GroupActive comparator 1 intervention
Group C: TENS GroupActive comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Change in Dynamic Stiffness (N/m)
Dynamic stiffness reflects the resistance of the muscle to an external deforming force. It will be measured using MyotonPRO on the upper trapezius, splenius capitis, sternocleidomastoid, and cervical erector spinae muscles. The normative reference range for stiffness (S) is 220-380 N/m.
Time frame
Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)2
Change in Oscillation Frequency (Hz)
Oscillation frequency reflects the resting muscle tone. It will be measured using MyotonPRO on the same muscle groups. The normative reference range for oscillation frequency (F) is 12.0-18.0 Hz.
Time frame
Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)3
Change in Craniovertebral Angle (degrees)
The craniovertebral angle (CVA) is the angle between a horizontal line passing through the tragus of the ear and a line connecting the tragus to the spinous process of C7, and it is used to assess forward head posture. It will be measured from photographs using the Kinovea 2D motion analysis software. According to Salahzadeh et al. (2014), the mean CVA value in individuals without forward head posture is 55 degrees.
Time frame
Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)Secondary outcomes
1
Change in Muscle Elasticity (Logarithmic Decrement)
The logarithmic decrement reflects muscle elasticity, describing how quickly the natural oscillation of the muscle decays after mechanical perturbation. It will be measured using MyotonPRO on the same muscle groups. The normative reference range for logarithmic decrement (D) is 1.00-1.60.
Time frame
Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)2
Change in Mechanical Stress Relaxation Time
Mechanical stress relaxation time reflects the viscoelastic properties of the muscle, specifically the time required for the muscle to relax after removal of an applied mechanical load. It will be measured using MyotonPRO on the same muscle groups. The normative reference range for relaxation time (R) is 14.0-30.0 ms.
Time frame
Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)3
Change in Creep (Deformation/Relaxation Ratio)
Creep reflects the ratio between the deformation time and the relaxation time of the muscle and is used as an indicator of its viscoelastic behavior. It will be measured using MyotonPRO on the same muscle groups. The normative reference range for creep (C) is 1.00-2.00.
Time frame
Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)4
Change in Pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, 0-10)
Pain will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, an 11-point scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst pain imaginable. Participants who report pain will rate its severity using this scale.
Time frame
Baseline (T0) and immediately after single intervention session (T1)Locations
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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