Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effects of conventional physical therapy with and without muscle energy technique in improving pain and functional disability in patients with upper crossed syndrome.
Methodology: This randomized controlled trial includes 52 patients of upper crossed syndrome. Patients with age of 18-45 years were included and those who had any fracture of cervical spine, disc bulge, torticollis, scoliosis, inflammatory disorders, migraine, neck tumors, radiating neck pain and pregnant were excluded. Participants were randomly assigned into two equal groups through sealed envelope method. The experimental group (n=26) received muscle energy technique along with conventional physical therapy and neck isometric exercises as a home plan and the control group (n=26) received only conventional physical therapy along with home plan neck isometric exercises. Both groups received total 12 treatment sessions, three sessions per week on alternate day. Repeated measure ANOVA was employed to seek the difference between the techniques.
Results: Mean age of the participants was 32.40±7.66 years. Muscle Energy technique had significant effect in pain (p=0.000). Multivariate test and comparison between mean scores across different levels of time also showed the significant results (p=0.000). Muscle Energy technique had significant effect in functional disability (p=0.000). Multivariate test and comparison between mean scores across different levels of time also showed significant results (p=0.000).
Conclusion: Muscle Energy technique along with conventional physical therapy was effective in reducing pain and improving functional disability in patients with upper crossed syndrome.

Key words: Upper crossed syndrome, muscle energy technique, routine physical therapy, pain, functional disability.