Hands-On battle: which manual therapy eases chronic neck pain best?
NCT ID NCT07724600
First seen Jul 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026
Summary
This trial compares two hands-on treatments—Active Release Technique and Stecco Fascial Manipulation—for people with chronic non-specific neck pain lasting more than three months. The goal is to see which approach better reduces pain, improves neck mobility, and lessens disability. Participants will receive one of the two therapies, and outcomes like pain intensity and range of motion will be measured.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Active Release Technique and Stecco Fascial Manipulation (manual therapy techniques)
- What this could lead to
- If one technique proves more effective, it could offer a better non-drug option for managing chronic neck pain and improving posture.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 48 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Both techniques are manual and depend on practitioner skill.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 48 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jul 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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20 to 40 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals of both genders * Age between 20-40yrs(19). * Neck pain persisting for more than 3 months * Neck Disability Index (NDI) score between 10-30) (20). Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with history of trauma or surgery were excluded. * Cervical pain patients with radiculopathy were excluded. * Patients diagnosed cases of rheumatoid arthritis, or any systemic musculoskeletal disorders were excluded. * Patients use of muscle relaxants or undergoing any other physiotherapy for neck issues in the past 3 months were excluded. * Patients with cervical disc herniation or whiplash injuries were excluded. * Pregnancy or known hormonal conditions affecting musculoskeletal system were excluded.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
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