NCT07248748

Effects of Alexander Technique in Children With Upper Cross Syndrome.

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 36 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Riphah International University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 13 Years – 16 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This randomized clinical trial will involve 50 participants aged 13 to 16, recruited from Faisal Hospital Faisalabad and different schools nearby. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the Alexander Technique group, which will include home-based exercises supervised by parents, or a control group performing traditional posture-corrective exercises. The outcomes will be measured using tools such as the Cranio-Vertebral Angle (CVA), Shoulder Protraction Measurement (SPM), Thoracic Kyphotic Angle (TKA), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain assessment. The findings are expected to provide insights into the benefits of the Alexander Technique as a therapeutic strategy for addressing UCS and improving overall health outcomes in adolescents. Data collection will be done before and after the intervention. Data will be analyzed through SPSS version 26.00.

Detailed description

Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS) is a common postural disorder characterized by muscle imbalances resulting from prolonged use of electronic devices, leading to symptoms such as forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and increased thoracic kyphosis. This condition predominantly affects young adults and is associated with discomfort and decreased postural stability, negatively impacting overall physical function. The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the Alexander Technique (AT) in improving pain levels and range of motion (ROM) in individuals with Upper Cross Syndrome. By focusing on the principles of optimal body use and postural awareness, the Alexander Technique may offer a valuable intervention to alleviate symptoms and enhance Range of motion. This randomized clinical trial will involve 50 participants aged 13 to 16, recruited from Faisal Hospital Faisalabad and different schools nearby. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the Alexander Technique group, which will include home-based exercises supervised by parents, or a control group performing traditional posture-corrective exercises. The outcomes will be measured using tools such as the Cranio-Vertebral Angle (CVA), Shoulder Protraction Measurement (SPM), Thoracic Kyphotic Angle (TKA), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain assessment. The findings are expected to provide insights into the benefits of the Alexander Technique as a therapeutic strategy for addressing UCS and improving overall health outcomes in adolescents. Data collection will be done before and after the intervention. Data will be analyzed through SPSS version 26.00.

Conditions

• CHILD Syndrome

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Alexander technique	In the AT group, parents will supervise the patients exercises at home base on the explanations and training the corrective movements specialist provided in the first session. In the AT group, adolescents were taught the considerations and habits they should remember and focus on daily basis. These included teaching ergonomic considerations and individual postural habits during daily activities such as standing, walking, sitting, sleeping, reading, using a computer, and other repetitive and continuous activities performed during the day.
OTHER	Corrective exercises	The Corrective exercises will be done in home base setting, and the corrective movements' specialist will be responsible for supervising their performance twice a week. Selected CE will designed to correct posture and address the mentioned abnormalities through stretching exercises for shortened muscles and strengthening exercises for individuals with weak muscles. These exercises will include a 5-10-minute warm-up followed by stretching exercises for the chest, hip- flexor-psoas, upper trapezius, intercostal muscles, upper neck extensors, and then strengthening exercises for the shoulder protractors, deep neck flexors, lower neck extensors, and thoracic spine extensors

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-10-28
• Primary completion: 2026-01-25
• Completion: 2026-01-30
• First posted: 2025-11-25
• Last updated: 2025-11-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Pakistan