Hands-On therapy showdown: which technique eases upper cross syndrome?
NCT ID NCT06907459
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study compared two manual therapy techniques for people with upper cross syndrome—a condition causing forward head and rounded shoulders. One group received deep front facial line release, while the other got myofascial release using a special tool (IASTM). The 90 participants were adults aged 18-40, and the study measured changes in neck disability and pain intensity. The goal was to see which approach works better for easing symptoms.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Manual therapy techniques (deep front facial line release and myofascial release with IASTM)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a more effective physical therapy approach for reducing neck disability and pain in people with upper cross syndrome.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study with only 90 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The techniques are manual and depend on the therapist's skill, and the study does not include long-term follow-up.
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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90 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Apr 2025
- Finished
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Feb 2026
- 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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18 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18-40 years old * All participants had forward head, craniovertebral angle \< 50. * All participants had rounded back (kyphosis angle ≥ 42°) * Based on assessment of upper cross syndrome by photogrammetric analysis. * The subjects were chosen from both genders. Exclusion Criteria: * History of trauma or surgery in cervical region. * Bone fractures or acute soft tissue injuries. * Osteoporosis. * Heart attack. * Unstable angina pectoris -Implanted pacemaker or defibrillator- -Cancer- * Rheumatoid arthritis * Connective tissue disease: This includes diseases such as osteomyelitis, lupus and scleroderma -Neurological conditions-
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Alshaymaa Shaaban Abdelazeim
Giza, Dokki, 11351, Egypt
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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