Comparative Effects of SNAG Vis GONG's Mobilization in Text Neck Syndrome Patients

Text neck syndrome has emerged as a growing health concern due to increased use of smartphones, laptops, and other digital devices. Prolonged forward head posture places excessive mechanical stress on cervical structures, leading to neck pain, muscle imbalance, postural abnormalities, and functional limitations.

Manual therapy interventions such as Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides (SNAG) and GONG's Mobilization have demonstrated beneficial effects in managing cervical spine dysfunction. However, evidence comparing these two techniques specifically in individuals with text neck syndrome remains limited.

A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest comparative study conducted. 48 participants were recruited aged 18-25 years from The University of Faisalabad. Participants diagnosed with text neck syndrome allocated into two treatment groups according to the study protocol. The participants divided into 2 groups (A and B) Both groups received moist heat therapy for 10 minutes before intervention. Group A received SNAG mobilization, while Group B received GONG's Mobilization. Treatment sessions were conducted three times per week on alternate days for 12 weeks.

Outcomes and outcome measuring tools were pain intensity by using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Craniovertebral angle by Goniometer, and neck disability by Neck Disability Index (NDI).

• Moist Heat Therapy (Procedure): A moist hot pack was applied to the cervical region for 10 minutes before the manual therapy intervention in both study groups
• Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide (SNAG) (Procedure): SNAG mobilization was applied to the cervical spine with 10-15 repetitions per session for approximately 20 minutes, 3 sessions per week on alternate days for 12 weeks
• GONG's Mobilization (Procedure): GONG's Mobilization was administered to the cervical spine using 10-15 repetitions per session for approximately 20 minutes, three sessions per week on alternate days for 12 weeks

Primary outcomes

• Craniovertebral Angle [Baseline and Week 12 (end of the intervention)]: Craniovertebral angle was measured using a universal goniometer to assess forward head posture

Secondary outcomes

• Pain intensity [Baseline and Week 12 (end of intervention)]: Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), an 11-point self-reported scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain)

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to 25 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Both Male and Female who engage in prolonged computer and phone usage for more than 4 hours per day for over a year
* Neck pain (3 to 8 on NPRS)
* Altered cranio-vertebral angle<49 degree

Exclusion Criteria:

* Recent cervical spine fracture/injury
* Congenital malformation
* Recent history of head and neck surgery
* Congenital torticollis

• Noreen Kiran, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Faisalabad