Comparison of Bowen Therapy and Foam Rolling in Text Neck Syndrome among Students

Background: Text neck syndrome is a common musculoskeletal condition arising from prolonged forward head posture during the use of smartphones and other handheld digital devices. This posture places excessive strain on the cervical spine and associated soft tissues, leading to neck pain and postural deviations. The condition is particularly prevalent among students due to extended screen time for both academic and recreational purposes, potentially affecting physical health and daily activities. Objective: To assess and compare the effectiveness of Bowen therapy and foam rolling in alleviating pain, improving cervical range of motion, and enhancing functional outcomes in individuals with text neck syndrome. Methodology: A randomised controlled trial was conducted at Iqra National University, Peshawar. Twenty-eight participants were randomly allocated into two groups using the sealed-envelope method: Group A (Foam Rolling) and Group B (Bowen Therapy). Participants with a history of cervical trauma, dermatological conditions, tumours at the cervicothoracic junction, cervical spine surgery, neurological complications, cervical disc disease, systemic diseases, scoliosis, or kyphosis were excluded. Interventions were provided three times per week for six weeks. Outcome measures included the Numeric Pain Rating Scale for pain, the Neck Disability Index for functional impairment, the craniovertebral angle for postural assessment, and cervical range of motion for evaluating neck mobility. Normality of data was assessed through the Shapiro–Wilk test, and between- and within-group comparisons were performed using mixed-way and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Between-group analysis revealed significant differences in the effects of foam rolling and Bowen therapy. This shows that Bowen Therapy demonstrated superior improvements in pain reduction, neck disability, and cervical range of motion (p<0.05). Conclusion: Bowen therapy was found to be more effective than foam rolling in reducing pain, enhancing functional outcomes, improving cervical posture, and increasing cervical mobility in students with text neck syndrome.