NCT07168512

Effect of Myofascial Release Technique Alone or Combined With Exercises on Cervical Cobb Angle, Sleep Quality, and Psychological Factors in Patients With Cervicogenic Headache

"Myofascial Release With or Without Exercise for Cervicogenic Headache"

• Status: Enrolling By Invitation
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Al-Azhar University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 20 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study will investigate whether myofascial release therapy alone or in combination with therapeutic exercises can improve cervical spine alignment, measured by cervical Cobb angle on X-ray, in patients with cervicogenic headache. The research will also examine potential effects on sleep quality and psychological factors."

Conditions

• Effect of Physiotherapy on Cobb Angle in Patients With Cervicogenic Headache

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Exercises (Endurance and strengthening)	Neck Strengthening and Endurance Exercises with Hot Packs Preparation: A moist hot pack will be applied for 10-15 minutes to the cervical region before exercise to reduce stiffness and enhance tissue extensibility. Exercise program: Deep cervical flexor training: Chin tucks in supine and sitting, progressing to sustained isometric holds. Extensor and scapular stabilizer training: Prone head lifts and shoulder retraction exercises with light resistance. Endurance training: Low-load, high-repetition exercises focusing on maintaining cervical posture against gravity. Progression: Intensity and duration will gradually increase, emphasizing endurance over maximal strength to correct postural deficits. Frequency: 40 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 6 weeks Rationale: The combined use of heat and targeted exercises improves neuromuscular control, enhances cervical stability, and supports better cervical curvature correction. Myofascial Release Technique
OTHER	Myofascial release technique	Myofascial Release Technique Target areas: Suboccipital muscles, upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and deep cervical fascia. Method: A physiotherapist will perform gentle, sustained manual pressure and low-load, long-duration stretching on restricted cervical and upper thoracic fascia to reduce tension and improve soft tissue mobility. Duration and frequency: Each session will include 30'to 50 minutes of myofascial release, delivered 3 times per week for the study period for 6 weeks. Rationale: This technique aims to decrease myofascial restrictions contributing to abnormal cervical alignment and pain, thereby facilitating improved posture and muscle activation.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-09-04
• Primary completion: 2026-04-01
• Completion: 2026-04-03
• First posted: 2025-09-11
• Last updated: 2025-09-11

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: Palestinian Territories