Comparative Effects of Stabilization Exercises and Corrective Exercises in Administrative Staff With Upper Cross Syndrome
Comparative Effects of Stabilization Exercises and Corrective Exercises on Pain, Respiratory Function, and Postural Alignment in Administrative Staff With Upper Cross Syndrome
- Registry ID
- NCT07766070
- Source registry
- NCT
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Phase
- NA
- Study type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Sponsor
- University of Faisalabad
- Enrollment
- 50
- Start date
- 2026-04-24
- Completion date
- 2026-08-09
- Last update
- 2026-08-14
Conditions
- Computer Workers
- Upper Cross Syndrome
- Forward Head Posture
- Administrative Staff
Summary
This study compares two types of rehabilitation strategies' - the stabilization exercises and the corrective exercises - to improve pain, respiratory function, and postural alignment in administrative staff with upper cross syndrome. Participants undertook a six-week intervention program. Random sampling technique was employed and 50 participants were included out of which 4 participants drops out. Randmoization was done via computer generator.The participants were divided into two groups: group A (Stabilization Exercises) and group B (Corrective Exercises). The process of data collection was conducted at MTH, and united hospital and participants will have included according to inclusion criteria. Pain was assessed by using the numeric pain rating. Respiratory function was assessed by using a digital spirometer. Postural alignment i.e., CVA \& SHA was assessed by using kinovea-2D video analysis. Mid thoracic curve was assessed by using Flexi curve rule.This study aims to determine which treatment produces greater improvement, which may help physiotherapists to give more effective evidence based treatment patients with UCS in Pakistan.
Detailed description
Background: Upper cross syndrome describes a pattern of muscle imbalance over the head and shoulder region, which is mostly brought on by misalignment. The rounded forward shoulder girdle and arm posture associated with upper crossed syndrome are commonly referred to as rounded shoulders. Studies show that upper cross syndrome affects 67% of computer workers. IT professionals should spend less time sitting down because prolonged sitting can lead to poor posture. Rehabilitation strategies like stabilization exercises are the mainstay of conventional treatment, but new research shows that corrective exercises are a promising way to improve postural alignment and restore respiratory function.
Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to compare the effects of stabilization exercises and corrective exercises in improving pain and respiratory function in administrative staff with upper cross syndrome. Secondary objectives included determining to compare the effects of stabilization exercises and corrective exercises in improving postural alignment and mid-thoracic curve in administrative staff with upper cross syndrome.
Interventions
- OTHER: Corrective Exercises
- OTHER: Stabilization Exercises
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age 24-40 years.
* Prolonged computer working hours =6 hours/day .
* Prolonged computer working years for =6 months .
* Clinical features of UCS i.e.;
* Participant must meet =3 of the following on clinical exam:
* Cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) \< 50°.
* Visible FHP and rounded shoulders on the lateral view.
* Abnormality in the position and rhythm of the scapula.
* Excessive thoracic kyphosis \>42 .
* Non-specific chronic cervical pain =3 months.
* NPRS 3-6 (mild-moderate) .
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion Criteria:
* Pregnant females.
* Reported history of smoking.
* Having a medical prescription that specifically dictated therapeutic exercises for posture.
* History of any fracture of upper limb and spine.
* History of any operations involving the neck, upper extremity and trunk.
* Reported history of recent spinal trauma .
* Reported any history of respiratory disorder i.e: COPD, TB, asthma etc.
* Reported any history of cardiac disorder i.e: angina, myocardial infarction, cardiac failure etc.
* Congenital spinal deformity i.e: structural kyphosis and scoliosis etc.
* Any history of neurological disease i.e: stroke, epilepsy, myasthenia gravis etc .
* Reported history of any cancer i.e: bone cancer, breast cancer etc
Primary outcomes
[{"measure":"Pain Intensity","timeFrame":"Baseline (week 0, before first intervention session), mid-intervention; week 3, after 9th session, and post-intervention (week 6, within 48 hours after the final intervention session)"},{"measure":"Respiratory Function","timeFrame":"Baseline (week 0, before first intervention session), mid-intervention; week 3, after 9th session, and post-intervention (week 6, within 48 hours after the final intervention session)"},{"measure":"Postural Alignment","timeFrame":"Baseline (week 0, before first intervention session), mid-intervention; week 3, after 9th session, and post-intervention (week 6, within 48 hours after the final intervention session)."}]
Locations
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Publications
- Nemati M, Saki F and Ramezani F (2025) Adding respiratory exercises to scapular stabilization training in adolescent girls with upper cross syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. BioMed Central Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation 17(1): 1-12. Nitayarak H and Charntaraviroj P (2021) Effects of scapular stabilization exercises on posture and muscle imbalances in women with upper crossed syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 34(6): 1031-1040. Pathak A, Sharma S and Jensen MP (2018) The utility and validity of pain intensity rating scales for use in developing countries. Pain Reports 3(5): e672. Pathan H, Pawar A, Rao R et al. (2022) A structured exercise program for upper cross syndrome. Journal of Medicine and Pharmceutical Chemistry Allied Sci 11(S1): 259-63. Prince R, Devine A and Dick I (2007) The clinical utility of measured kyphosis as a predictor of the presence of vertebral deformities. Osteoporosis International 18(5
- Abd El-Azeim AS, Mahmoud AG, Mohamed MT et al. (2022) Impact of adding scapular stabilization to postural correctional exercises on symptomatic forward head posture: A randomized controlled trial. European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine 58(5): 757. Abdollahzade Z, Shadmehr A, Malmir K et al. (2017) Effects of 4 week postural corrective exercise on correcting forward head posture. Journal of Modern Rehabilitation 11(2): 85-92. Arshadi R, Ghasemi GA and Samadi H (2019) Effects of an 8-week selective corrective exercises program on electromyography activity of scapular and neck muscles in persons with upper crossed syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Physical Therapy in Sport 37(2):113-119. Baek C, Ahn J, Lee J et al. (2025) Effect of digital health corrective posture exercise program on head and shoulder posture in adolescents: A cluster randomized controlled trial. Medicine 104(12): e41893. Bayattork M, Seidi F, Minoonejad H et al. (2020) The effectiveness of a com
- Kirthika S, Sudhakar S, Padmanabhan K et al. (2018) Impact of upper crossed syndrome on pulmonary function among the recreational male players: A preliminary report. Saudi Journal of Sports Medicine 18(2): 71-74. Kothari VN (2022) Effect of deep cervical flexor training v/s scapular stabilisation exercises on forward head posture among it professionals: A randomized clinical trial. Abhinav Bindra Sports Medicine and Research Institute 12(1): 1-68. Liaqat K, Basit L, Ibrar I et al. (2025) Correlation of upper cross syndrome with prolonged sitting among it workers in lahore. The Professional Medical Journal 32(11): 1568-1574. Mehri A, Letafatkar A (2018) Efficacy of corrective exercise intervention on forward head angle, pain and timing of superficial neck muscles activation during posterior-anterior perturbation in women with chronic neck pain. Medical Journal of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences 40(1): 66-76. Mehri A, Letafatkar A and Khosrokiani Z (2020) Effects of corrective exer
- Hrvatin I and Puh U (2021) Measurement properties of the numerical pain rating scale in patients with musculoskeletal impairments of the limbs: A systematic literature review. Slovenian Medical Journal 90(9-10): 512-20. Hu X, Bao G, Quan X et al. (2025) The effect of neuromuscular combined with biomechanical scapular stabilizer muscle corrective exercises on upper crossed syndrome in chinese secondary school students: A randomized controlled trial. Research Square 4(1): 1-33. Jeong GH and Lee BH (2024) Effects of telerehabilitation combining diaphragmatic breathing re-education and shoulder stabilization exercises on neck pain, posture, and function in young adult men with upper crossed syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Medicine 13(6): 1612. Kamble A, Naik S, Phadke S et al. (2022) Analysis of working posture using kinovea software to identify the incidence of forward head among bank employees: A cross-sectional study. International Journal for Multidisciplin
- Sarfraz K, Salman R, Liaqat A et al. (2025) Prevalence of forward head posture and associated respiratory function changes among computer workers. Insights-Journal of Health and Rehabilitation 3(2): 232-238. Seidi F, Bayattork M, Minoonejad H et al. (2020) Comprehensive corrective exercise program improves alignment, muscle activation and movement pattern of men with upper crossed syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Scientific Reports 10(1): 20688. Singh K and Wah YC (2023) Effect of scapular stabilization in improving shoulder range of motion and reducing pain among patients with upper crossed syndrome. Asian Institute of Medicine Science and Technology 27(1): 1-22. Thacker D, Jameson J, Baker J et al. (2011) Management of upper cross syndrome through the use of active release technique and prescribed exercises. Logan College of Chiropractic 12(1): 1-14. Titcomb D A, Melton B F, Bland H W et al. (2024) Evaluation of the craniovertebral angle in standing versus sitting positions i
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