Effect of Muscle Energy Technique and Stabilization Exercise on Forward Head and Rounded Shoulder Posture Among College Students (18-30 Years)

Introduction Forward head and rounded shoulder posture (FHRSP) is one of the leading cause of neck pain and shoulder pain among college going students and adults. The aim of this study was to know the effect of muscle energy technique and stabilization exercise among college students with forward head and rounded shoulder posture.  Methods Overall, 20 FHRSP population were recruited via convenient sampling and consecutively assigned into 2 groups (10 participants each). Group A received Stabilisation exercise while group B received MET. All treatments were administered for 30 minutes / session, 3 days a week for 6 weeks. NPRS [Numerical Pain Rating Scale], Measuring Craniovertebral angle [using goniometer], Neck Disability Index [NDI] are used as outcome measures. Descriptive statistics served to summarize the demographic characteristics of the participants and interferential statistics of t-test was used to determine the effect of intervention within the groups and between the groups. All statistical analysis was performed with the IBM SPSS statistics software.  Results The participants mean difference within group showed significant improvement as compared to between group. It shows that there was improvement in patients with Muscle Energy Technique than Stabilisation Technique. CVA, NDI and NPRS have shown improvement in MET than ST.  Conclusion MET and Stabilisation Technique are both beneficial in improving pain and postural issues, with MET being more advantageous. MET may be the preferred approach for the management of chronic shoulder, neck pain and forward head and rounded shoulder posture.