Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy - An International Journal

This study is aimed to find effectiveness of active release technique and conventional physiotherapy in the management of upper cross syndrome.

Experimental study design

20 patients between the age group of 16years-60 years with significant upper cross syndrome as per the inclusion and exclusion criterion were selected for the study.

Using random sampling method twenty subjects were divided into 2 equal groups with 10 patients each. Both the groups were given conventional physiotherapy which included IFT, stretching and strengthening exercises as a baseline treatment. Along with conventional physiotherapy the experimental group received Active release technique, 3 sets of 10 repetitions per session for 4 days per week whereas the control group received only the conventional physical therapy. The study duration was of 3weeks. Evaluation was done before starting the treatment and then after 3 weeks.

Outcomes were evaluated using SPADI and MMT.

The data were analyzed using paired and independent ‘t’ test at 5% level of significance. The group receiving ART along with conventional physiotherapy (Group A) showed significant reductions in pain and other symptoms with an improvement in quality of life t=-32.58, p=<0.000 for spadi scores. Similarly group A also showed significant improvement for MMT scores also.

Even though there was reduction of pain and improvement in activities of daily living in both the groups the results supported the efficacy of Active Release Technique for the patients of Upper Cross Syndrome. more than conventional physiotherapy alone.