Effects of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Sensory Motor Mismatch in Text Neck Syndrome.

Text Neck Syndrome is increasingly common in young adults due to prolonged smartphone use and is linked to postural changes and impaired sensorimotor control. Although its effects on visual-vestibular integration, balance, and proprioception are still unknown, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) may improve neuromuscular function by enhancing afferent input and mechanoreceptor stimulation. This study investigates whether IASTM can improve sensorimotor processing in individuals with Text Neck Syndrome.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18-30 * Using the phone or computer for 3 h or more per day. * The presence of 3 out of the following 6 symptoms: 1. Neck pain (recurrent history of neck pain in the previous 4 months, a pain level greater than or equal to 4/10 on the NPRS (moderate pain)) 2. Upper back pain, 3. Shoulder pain, 4. Headache (tension type headache due to tension in sub-occipitals) 5. Insomnia 6. Tingling and numbness in the upper limbs * Cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) \45° degrees, abnormal dynamic visual acuity, positive cervical JPE\>4.5°) * Voluntary participation Exclusion Criteria: * History of cervical spine surgery, trauma, or fracture * Any diagnosed neurological disorders (cervical radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, etc.) * Any diagnosed MSK related issue (torticollis, scoliosis, diagnosed disc prolapse, stenosis, herniation, spondylolisthesis, osteoporosis, etc.)