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CompletedNCT05249660Updated Nov 28, 2022

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Versus Trigger Points Release on Upper Trapezius Trigger Points

An interventional study of Soft tissue release technique and Comparator: Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization in Trigger Points, sponsored by Riphah International University. Completed at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 20 Years to 45 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2022-11-28.

Sponsored by Riphah International University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
30
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
20 Years to 45 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Study will be randomized clinical trial. Data will be collected from non probability consecutive sampling technique. Total 30 participants from Ganga Ram Hospital and Care medical centre will be selected and randomly allocated to two different groups i.e Group A and Group B. . Group A will be treated by trigger point release. Group B will be treated by Instrument assisted soft tissue release. NPRS, GONIOMETRY, NDI will be used as outcome measuring tool before and after treatment. Data will be analyzed by using Statistical package for social sciences 25.

Read the detailed description

Trigger point is defined as a hyperirritable palpable nodule contained in the skeletal muscle fibers. The palpable nodule, also named taut band, is described as a limited number of fibers with an increased stiffness. Trp causes the muscles to week and stiff, leading to reduction in range of movement. MTrP can produce local and referred pain, either on manual compression or spontaneously.

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is the use of hard tools to manipulate soft tissue and was derived from the Cyriax1 cross-friction massage. It has recently emerged as a popular alternative to traditional manual therapy techniques. Modern-day IASTM instruments vary in material (e.g. stainless steel, plastic) and design and are used to improve a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and associated outcomes.

Manual technique that uses direct vertical pressure to the TP, is a well-established treatment method used to resolve the TP-related pain syndrome. This directed pressure is managed according to the therapist's perception of the tissue resistance of the treated soft tissue or according to the pain perceived by the patient based on a pain scale. Manual therapy is a commonly used treatment for MPS as it has been considered one of the most effective techniques for the inactivation of MTrPs.

02

Conditions studied

  • Trigger Points

Keywords

  • Upper trapezius pain
03

In context

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University is the lead sponsor of 2,133 studies on the registry; 633 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
20 Years to 45 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients with neck pain in the upper trapezius muscle
  • Tender nodule, constant pain, a jump sign during palpation will be included in this study

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with Whiplash injury
  • History of neck/shoulder surgery
  • Cervical Radiculopathy
  • History of malignancy
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double (Participant, Investigator)
Enrollment
30 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Soft tissue release technique

    Patient sat on a chair. The therapist stood behind the participant and held one hand over head as the support, with the thumb of the other hand scan to detect the painful area of the latent TP of the upper trapezius muscle along the fibers. Then, pressure was applied by the thumb and the participant was asked to simultaneously actively change the muscle from shorted position to elongated state (ipsilateral side flexion of the cervical to the opposite side). This technique was repeated 3-5 times per session, and each repetition was maintained for 40-60 s till release is felt, with a 15-second rest interval. Three times passive stretching of the upper trapezius muscle was also performed for 45 s for each side.

    Other: Soft tissue release technique

  • Active comparator
    Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization

    Patient lied prone; the treatment was applied for approximately 20-seconds in a direction parallel to the muscle fibers with the instrument at a 45º angle. Followed immediately by treating the muscles in a direction perpendicular to the muscle fibers with the instrument at a 45º angle for an additional 20-second, resulting in a total treatment time of approximately 40 s. This technique was applied 3-5 times per session with 20 s rest between each time. Three times passive stretching of the upper trapezius muscle was also performed for 45 s for each side.

    Other: Comparator: Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization

Interventions

  • OtherSoft tissue release technique

    Patient sat on a chair. The therapist stood behind the participant and held one hand over head as the support, with the thumb of the other hand scan to detect the painful area of the latent TP of the upper trapezius muscle along the fibers. Then, pressure was applied by the thumb and the participant was asked to simultaneously actively change the muscle from shorted position to elongated state (ipsilateral side flexion of the cervical to the opposite side). This technique was repeated 3-5 times per session, and each repetition was maintained for 40-60 s till release is felt, with a 15-second rest interval. Three times passive stretching of the upper trapezius muscle was also performed for 45 s for each side.

  • OtherComparator: Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization

    Patient lied prone; the treatment was applied for approximately 20-seconds in a direction parallel to the muscle fibers with the instrument at a 45º angle. Followed immediately by treating the muscles in a direction perpendicular to the muscle fibers with the instrument at a 45º angle for an additional 20-second, resulting in a total treatment time of approximately 40 s. This technique was applied 3-5 times per session with 20 s rest between each time. Three times passive stretching of the upper trapezius muscle was also performed for 45 s for each side.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Numeric pain rating scale

    Scale consists of 4 questions regarding actual pain level, zero indicates no pain and 10 indicates worst pain imaginable

    Time frame: 6 weeks

  2. Goniometry

    Goniometer is used to measure the ranges of body joints.

    Time frame: 6 weeks

  3. Neck disability index

    Scale consists of 10 sections,each section contains questions regarding head/ neck pain and some questions regarding the daily activities that we perform

    Time frame: 6 weks

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Ganga Ram Hospital and Care medical centre
    Lahore, Punjab 54000, Pakistan
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Nov 28, 2022, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05249660
Lead sponsor
Riphah International University
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Feb 22, 2022
Start date
Jan 25, 2022
Primary completion
Jul 13, 2022
Completion
Jul 13, 2022
Last update
Nov 28, 2022

Study contacts

Muhammad Sanaullah, MS
principal investigator · Riphah International University

Oversight

FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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