Publication:

Effectiveness of three-dimensional myofascial release on pain, disability and functional performance in physiotherapy students with forward head posture: a pre and post experimental study

Background Forward head posture (FHP) is one of the most common postural abnormalities among young adults and physiotherapy students due to prolonged smartphone use, poor ergonomics, and sedentary lifestyle. FHP is associated with pain, neck disability, reduced mobility, and impaired functional performance. Three-dimensional myofascial release (3D-MFR) is a multidirectional fascial release technique designed to reduce fascial restrictions and improve postural alignment. The aim was to find out the effectiveness of 3D-MFR on pain, disability and function with FHP in physiotherapy students of Srinivas Institute.

Methods A pre- and post-experimental study was conducted among 27 physiotherapy students aged 18-25 years with forward head posture at Srinivas University, Mangaluru. Participants underwent 3D-MFR intervention targeting suboccipital muscles, upper trapezius, levator scapulae, pectoralis major and minor, and sternocleidomastoid muscles. Outcome measures included numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), neck disability index (NDI), craniovertebral angle (CVA), tragus-to-wall test, and global rating of change (GROC) scale. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test and paired sample t-test.

Results Significant improvements were observed in all outcome measures following intervention. NPRS (p=0.006), NDI (p<0.001), CVA (p<0.001), tragus-to-wall test (p<0.001), and GROC scores (p<0.001) demonstrated statistically significant improvement after 3D-MFR intervention.

Conclusions Three-dimensional myofascial release was effective in reducing pain, improving disability, correcting forward head posture, and enhancing functional performance among physiotherapy students with FHP.