An interventional study of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization and Dry Cupping in Upper Trapezius Trigger Points and Non Specific Chronic Neck Pain, sponsored by Cairo University. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 20 Years to 50 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-12-02.
Sponsored by Cairo University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the effects of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and dry cupping in patients (both genders), aged 20-50 years, diagnosed with chronic non-specific neck pain who have active upper trapezius trigger points. The main questions it aims to answer are :
Researchers will compare three groups:
Participants will be asked to do the following:
Cairo University is the lead sponsor of 4,780 studies on the registry; 1,427 are open to participants now.
Of its 36 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 5 (14%) have results posted.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants will receive a conventional physical therapy program. This includes hot packs applied over the neck and upper shoulders for 15-20 minutes , Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) applied for 20-30 minutes , and a supervised exercise program (including range of motion, isometric strengthening, chin tucks, and scapular retractions). The treatment will be administered for 3 sessions per week for four weeks.
Other: Hot Packs · Device: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation · Behavioral: Exercise Program
Participants will receive the same conventional physical therapy program as Group A (hot packs, TENS, and exercises) . In addition, they will receive Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM). This combined treatment will be administered for 3 sessions per week for four weeks.
Device: Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization · Other: Hot Packs · Device: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation · Behavioral: Exercise Program
Participants will receive the same conventional physical therapy program as Group A (hot packs, TENS, and exercises) . In addition, they will receive Dry Cupping. This combined treatment will be administered for 3 sessions per week for four weeks.
Device: Dry Cupping · Other: Hot Packs · Device: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation · Behavioral: Exercise Program
While the participant is seated, a lubricant (Vaseline) is applied to the skin. The M2T blade is used at a 45° angle to apply slow sweeping strokes along the muscle from origin to insertion (sweeping technique) over the upper trapezius for approximately three minutes.
Also known as: IASTM , M2T Blade
While the participant is in a prone position , a single 5cm inner diameter plastic cup is applied to the skin directly over the pre-determined treatment location. The cup is secured by pumping a manual hand-pump three times. The cup is left in place for 5 minutes.
Commercially accessible hot packs (made of bentonite) are placed over the neck and the upper part of the shoulder musculature while the patient is in a prone position. The application lasts for 15-20 minutes.
Applied while the patient is sitting. Electrodes are placed directly over or surrounding the trigger point and along the muscle belly. Parameters: Pulse rate 60-100Hz , Pulse width 40-250 μs. Intensity is set to a tolerable tingling sensation. Treatment duration is 20-30 minutes.
Also known as: TENS
A supervised home exercise program consisting of: Range of Motion Exercises: Cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation, and shoulder shrugs. Strengthening Exercises: Isometric cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation; scapular retractions; and chin tucks. Dosage: Performed daily for 10-15 repetitions and 2-3 sets
Pain Intensity Level
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The VAS is a self-reported 10 cm line where 0 cm represents "no pain" and 10 cm represents "worst imaginable pain".
Time frame: Baseline (before intervention) and after 4 weeks of treatment.
Cervical Range of Motion (CROM)
Active cervical range of motion will be measured in degrees using a Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device. Measurements will be taken for flexion, extension, lateral flexion (right and left), and rotation (right and left) . Three trials will be averaged for each movement.
Time frame: Baseline (before intervention) and after 4 weeks of treatment.
Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT)
PPT will be assessed using a manual pressure algometer applied to the identified myofascial trigger point. Pressure will be increased at a rate of 1 kg/cm² per second until the patient first reports the sensation of pressure changing to pain. The average of three measurements, taken 30 seconds apart, will be recorded.
Time frame: Baseline (before intervention) and after 4 weeks of treatment.
Functional Disability
Functional disability will be assessed using the validated Arabic version of the Neck Disability Index (NDI-AR). This is a 10-item self-reported questionnaire that evaluates limitations in daily activities and functional impairment due to neck pain.
Time frame: Baseline (before intervention) and after the 4-week intervention period.
No study locations are listed for this record.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Nov 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Cairo University