An interventional study of Percussion Massage Therapy and Sham Percussion Therapy in Neck Pain Musculoskeletal, sponsored by Bezmialem Vakif University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 60 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-12-29.
Sponsored by Bezmialem Vakif University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the acute effects of percussion massage therapy compared with a sham intervention on cervical range of motion and pressure pain threshold in individuals with nonspecific neck pain.
Nonspecific neck pain is a common musculoskeletal condition associated with reduced cervical mobility and increased pain sensitivity. Percussion massage therapy has gained popularity as a therapeutic modality; however, evidence regarding its true physiological effects remains limited.
This single-blind randomized controlled trial investigated the immediate effects of percussion massage therapy compared with a sham intervention in individuals with nonspecific neck pain. Participants were randomly allocated to either a percussion massage therapy group or a sham percussion therapy group. Cervical range of motion and pressure pain threshold were assessed before and immediately after the intervention.
657 studies on the registry are indexed under Musculoskeletal Diseases; 159 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 30 is below the median of 73 across 438 interventional studies indexed under Musculoskeletal Diseases.
Browse Musculoskeletal Diseases studies →Bezmialem Vakif University is the lead sponsor of 345 studies on the registry; 58 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Adults aged 18 to 60 years
Diagnosis of nonspecific neck pain
Resting neck pain intensity of ≥3 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
History of cervical spine fracture, tumor, or inflammatory disease
Previous surgery involving the neck or shoulder region
Neurological deficits related to the cervical spine
Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
Cognitive impairment or inability to understand study procedures
Participants in this group receive a single session of percussion massage therapy applied to the bilateral upper trapezius muscles.
Device: Percussion Massage Therapy
Participants in this group receive a sham percussion intervention designed to mimic the active treatment without providing mechanical tissue stimulation.
Device: Sham Percussion Therapy
Percussion massage therapy is applied using a handheld percussive massage device. The intervention is performed with the participant in a seated position and targets the bilateral upper trapezius muscles for a total duration of 6 minutes. A circular massage head is used to deliver percussive stimulation along the muscle for 2 minutes on each side, followed by focused stimulation at two trigger points using a bullet head attachment for 30 seconds per point at a frequency of 30 Hz.
The same percussive massage device is activated to produce comparable sound and vibration cues but is held at a fixed distance from the skin without physical contact. The duration of the procedure and therapist-participant interaction are matched to the experimental intervention to maintain participant blinding.
Cervical Range of Motion (ROM)
Cervical range of motion (ROM) is assessed in flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion, and right and left rotation using a digital goniometer. Measurements are performed in a seated position by a blinded assessor following standardized procedures.
Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after the intervention
Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT)
Pressure pain threshold (PPT) is measured bilaterally at two standardized points over the upper trapezius muscle using a digital pressure algometer. Pressure is gradually increased until the participant first perceives pain, and the mean of three measurements at each site is recorded.
Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after the intervention
Plan to share: No — Data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Owing to ethical and privacy considerations, the data were not publicly available
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
This study is completed, as verified in Dec 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Bezmialem Vakif University