This study aims to compare the effects of post-isometric relaxation (PIR) and post isometric stretching (PIS) techniques on reducing neck pain, improving range of motion, and decreasing neck disability in individuals with neck pain. A randomized controlled trial will be conducted with 50 participants, who will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receiving PIR and the other receiving PIS. A single-blind method will be used, meaning the participants will not know which group they belong to. Participants will be selected based on specific criteria related to neck pain and will then be randomly allocated to the PIR or PIS group. Initially, all participants will receive two standard treatments: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and hot pack application. After these treatments, one group will undergo post-isometric relaxation (PIR), which involves 3-5 repetitions of muscle contraction and relaxation, conducted over five consecutive sessions. The other group will receive post-isometric stretching (PIS), which involves stretching after muscle contraction and relaxation, also administered over five consecutive sessions. At the end of the intervention, pain, range of motion, and neck disability will be measured. Pain will be assessed using a standardised pain scale, range of motion will be measured with a goniometer or other appropriate tools, and neck disability will be evaluated using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Statistical analysis will be performed to compare the effectiveness of PIR and PIS in terms of pain reduction, range of motion improvement, and decreased neck disability.
Both gender
With sub-acute or chronic neck pain for at least 4 to 12 weeks
Pain intensity on NPRS ranging 4-8
Limitation on neck movement
• Positive history of fracture
Surgery in the cervical region
Any sort of physical trauma in the cervical region in the last 12 months
Thoracic Outlet syndrome
Parallel
Post Isometric Relaxation
Procedure/SurgeryAll patients were given Trans-Cutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in combination with superficial heat for 10 minutes. with a session of 5 days/ week. Group A (PIR) : In this group, participants performed 3-5 rounds of post-isometric relaxation (PIR). Each round involved contracting the target muscle at 30-50% strength for 7-10 seconds, resting for 5 seconds .
Post Isometric Stretching
Procedure/SurgeryAll patients were given Trans-Cutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in combination with superficial heat for 10 minutes. with a session of 5 days/ week.Group B (PIS) : In this group participants performed 3-5 rounds of post-isometric relaxation (PIR), which is then followed by a stretch of the same muscle to its new range of motion. Followed by rest of 5 seconds, and then stretching the muscle and holding the stretch for 10-60 seconds
Pain Intensity
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) will be used to measure the intensity of neck pain before and after the intervention. Participants will mark their level of pain on a 100 mm horizontal line, where: 0 mm indicates "no pain", and 100 mm indicates "the worst imaginable pain".
Cervical range of motion
A universal goniometer will be used to assess cervical spine mobility in the following directions: Flexion Extension Lateral Flexion (Right and Left) Rotation (Right and Left) ROM will be recorded in degrees.
Functional Disability
The Neck Disability Index (NDI) will be used to assess functional impairment related to neck pain. It is a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 10 sections, including pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headaches, concentration, work, driving, sleeping, and recreation. Each section is scored from 0 to 5, with higher total scores indicating greater disability. The NDI is a validated, open-access tool commonly used in research to measure changes in disability levels pre- and post-intervention.
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