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Not yet recruitingNCT07728357GT-LICUpdated Jul 27, 2026

Treatment of Pectoralis Trigger Points in Patients With Pseudo Angina

An interventional study of Graston Technique and Local Ischemic Compression in Pseudo Angina, Myofascial Pain Syndromes and Pectoralis Muscles, sponsored by University of Faisalabad. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 25 Years to 50 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-27.

Sponsored by University of Faisalabad · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
36
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
25 Years to 50 Years
Sex
All
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Study summary

Pseudo-angina is a musculoskeletal condition characterized by chest pain that resembles angina but occurs due to non-cardiac causes, particularly myofascial trigger points in the chest wall muscles. Trigger points in the pectoralis major and minor muscles may contribute to pain, discomfort, and functional limitations by affecting muscle activity and movement. Manual therapy techniques such as the Graston Technique and Local Ischemic Compression (LIC) are commonly used to manage soft tissue dysfunction and myofascial trigger points. This study aims to compare the effects of the Graston Technique and Local Ischemic Compression on pain reduction and functional improvement in patients with pseudo-angina.

Read the detailed description

This is Multiple-center, randomized controlled trail. Participants age 25-50 years with diagnosed pseudo angina will be referred from cardiology department of Aziz Fatima and Faisal hospital to Madina Teaching hospital (MTH) Physiotherapy ward and Jafar Physiotherapy Clinic. After informed consent Participants will be randomly assign to one of two parallel groups using a random number generator. Group A (Experimental): Receive Graston technique 3 sessions per week for total duration 4 weeks. Group B (Active Comparator) receive the LIC 3 sessions per week for total duration 4 weeks. Outcome measures (pain via NPRS, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)) are taken at baseline and end of treatment. Data will be analyzed using Spss version 20.

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Conditions studied

  • Pseudo Angina
  • Myofascial Pain Syndromes
  • Pectoralis Muscles
  • Musculoskeletal Chest Pain

Keywords

  • chest pain
  • Non-cardiac chest pain
  • Myofascial pain syndrome
  • Graston Technique
  • Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization
  • Chest wall pain
  • Musculoskeletal chest pain
  • Local Ischemic Compression
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In context

Myofascial Pain Syndromes

339 studies on the registry are indexed under Myofascial Pain Syndromes; 66 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 36 is below the median of 50 across 307 interventional studies indexed under Myofascial Pain Syndromes.

Browse Myofascial Pain Syndromes studies →

Lead sponsor

University of Faisalabad is the lead sponsor of 86 studies on the registry; 27 are open to participants now.

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

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Who can participate

Ages eligible
25 Years to 50 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Participants which fulfill the Simon's Trigger Point Diagnostic Criteria
  • Referred by Cardiologist • Patients with Trigger Points in chest Muscles and left Pectoralis Major and Minor muscles.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Spinal Deformity • Gastric Problems • Any cardiac disease • Heart Burns • Panic Attacks • Pleurisy • Pulmonary Embolism • Pericarditis.
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Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double (Participant, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
36 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Graston Technique

    articipants assigned to this arm received the Graston Technique, an instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization intervention, applied to the identified myofascial trigger points of the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles. The intervention was performed after a gentle Z-stretch of the targeted muscles as baseline treatment. A stainless-steel Graston instrument was applied using controlled strokes at approximately a 45° angle to the skin surface, following the direction of the muscle fibers and across the fibers to mobilize soft tissue restrictions. The treatment was applied for approximately 40-120 seconds over each targeted area.

    Other: Graston Technique

  • Experimental
    Local Ischemic Compression

    Participants assigned to this arm received LIC applied to the identified myofascial trigger points of the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles. Following a gentle Z-stretch of the targeted muscles as baseline treatment, sustained manual pressure was applied gradually over each trigger point until a tolerable level of discomfort was achieved. The compression was maintained for approximately 90 seconds per trigger point and repeated 1-3 times during each treatment session according to patient tolerance and clinical response. The technique was performed using the therapist's thumb, finger, or knuckle depending on the location and depth of the trigger point. Participants received four physiotherapy sessions over a two-week period, with sessions conducted on alternate days.

    Other: Local Ischemic Compression

Interventions

  • OtherGraston Technique

    A stainless-steel Graston instrument was applied using controlled strokes at approximately a 45° angle to the skin surface, following the direction of the muscle fibers and across the fibers to mobilize soft tissue restrictions. The treatment was applied for approximately 40-120 seconds over each targeted area.

  • OtherLocal Ischemic Compression

    Sustained manual pressure was applied gradually over each trigger point until a tolerable level of discomfort was achieved. The compression was maintained for approximately 90 seconds per trigger point and repeated 1-3 times during each treatment session according to patient tolerance and clinical response. The technique was performed using the therapist's thumb, finger, or knuckle depending on the location and depth of the trigger point

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What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Shoulder Pain Disability Index

    The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index is a well-known neutral measure for assessing the level of pain and functional impairment experienced by people with shoulder issues. It is frequently used in clinical and research settings to assess the severity of shoulder problems and track therapy efficacy. It consists of 13 elements organized into two subscales. The Pain Subscale consists of five items that determine how intense pain is in various circumstances, such as at rest or during activities. The disability subscale consists of eight items: it assesses the level of difficulty with specific everyday shoulder-related tasks, such as lifting weights or putting on a shir

    Time frame: Baseline and 4 week post intervention

  2. Numeric Pain Rating Scale

    NPRS was used as a primary outcome measure to evaluate pain intensity in patients with pseudo-angina. On the scale, 0 represents no discomfort and 10 represents severe pain. At rest and while engaging in activities, participants were asked to rate their level of pain.

    Time frame: Baseline and 4 week post intervention

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Study locations

1 site
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References and documents

Publications

  • This citation will not be hyperlinked on ClinicalTrials.gov. The effectiveness of instrument- assisted soft tissue mobilization technique (ergonš technique), cupping and ischaemic pressure techniques in the treatment of amateur athletes΄ myofascial trigger points. Journal of Novel Physiotherapy S (3): 1-7.
  • This citation wilnot be hyperlinked on ClinicalTrails.gov. Fousekis K, Kounavi E and Doriadis S (2016) The Effectiveness of instrument- assisted soft tissue mobilization technique, cupping and ischemic pressure techniques in the treatment of amateur athlete's myofascial trigger points. Journal of Novel Physiotherapies 3(2): 1-7.

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jul 27, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07728357
Lead sponsor
University of Faisalabad
Responsible party
Muhammad Muneeb Jafar (Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Faisalabad) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jul 27, 2026
Start date
Jul 25, 2026 (estimated)
Primary completion
Oct 1, 2026 (estimated)
Completion
Nov 1, 2026 (estimated)
Last update
Jul 27, 2026

Study contacts

Dr. Muhammad Muneeb Jafar, PhD Physical therapy
Contact
muneebjafar.DPT@tuf.edu.pk
+923127000616
Dr Maryam Farooq, Phd Physical therapy
Contact
Maryamfarooq2527@gmail.com
+923326760155

Oversight

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

Not currently enrolling

This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Jul 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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