Effectiveness of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching of Pectoralis Minor on rounded shoulder in Medical students

Rounded shoulder posture (RSP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal deviation among medical students, commonly associated with prolonged study hours, mobile device use, and poor postural habits. It is characterized by adaptive shortening of the pectoralis minor and other anterior shoulder muscles, accompanied by lengthening of posterior stabilizers. This randomized experimental study investigated the effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching in correcting RSP. Thirty medical students aged 18–25 years were randomly allocated into two groups: Group A received PNF stretching of the pectoralis minor combined with postural correction exercises, while Group B performed postural correction exercises alone. Outcome measures included the Lateral Scapular Slide Test (LSST) and Pectoralis Minor Length Test (PMLT), assessed pre- and post-intervention. Statistical analysis using paired and unpaired t-tests (p < 0.05) revealed significantly greater improvements in LSST and PMLT values in the experimental group compared to controls. These findings suggest that PNF stretching of the pectoralis minor, when integrated with postural correction exercises, is more effective than postural correction exercises alone in improving rounded shoulder posture among medical students.