Quadratus Lumborum SyndromeNCT06858072
Transverse Friction Massage Versus Instrumented Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome
A study testing Instrument assissted soft tissue mobilization(IASTM) and Transverse friction massage in people with Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
To find effective therapeutic interventions for QLS, a study is being conducted to compare the efficacy of two promising techniques: Transverse Friction Massage (TFM) and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) . Participants will be randomly assigned to either the TFM or IASTM groups. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years, men only
- Conditions the study is for
- Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- Instrument assissted soft tissue mobilization(IASTM) and Transverse friction massage
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 34 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 2 May 2023to 2 Jul 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- Men only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Age group between 18-40years
- Males only with target population was office workers
- NPRS>4
- Patients with a positional fault of the pelvis (lateral tilt)
- Patients having chronic LBP for more than six months
- Hyperirritable spot or taut band
Show all 10Show fewer
- Positive jump sign for trigger points/ Referred pain related to the trigger point area
- Positive Lewis's functional palpation test for QL overactivity
- At least one trigger point in Quadratus lumborum
- Leg length discrepancy due to QL tightness
Who cannot join
- Congenital or acquired spinal deformities
- Spinal stenosis or radiculopathy
- Diagnosed disc prolapse
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Any malignancy
- Recent history of surgery less than three months
- Acute infections
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Pakistan1 site
Hafiz Medical and diagnostic Center johar town Lahore
Lahore, Punjab Province, 53200
About this study
Official title: Comparative Effects of Transverse Friction Massage Versus Instrument-assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Pain, Range of Motion, and Posture in Patients With Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome
To find effective therapeutic interventions for QLS, a study is being conducted to compare the efficacy of two promising techniques: Transverse Friction Massage (TFM) and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) . Participants will be randomly assigned to either the TFM or IASTM groups. Outcome measures will be collected before and after the intervention, including pain levels assessed through NPRS, range of motion using inclinometer and posture by measuring leg length discrepancy with tape method.Non probability convenience sampling will be used and 34 partcipants will be randomly allocated in two groups after meeting inclusion criteria.Both groups will receive hotpack for 10-15min.Stretching quadratus lumborum will also be performed with strengthening on the opposite side of affected quadratus lumborum.This methodology provides a solid assessment of the effectiveness of TFM and IASTM for Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome therapy.
- Conditions
- Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome
- Being tested
- Instrument assissted soft tissue mobilization(IASTM), Transverse friction massage
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Instrument assissted soft tissue mobilization(IASTM)Other
IASTM (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization) in four specific body areas. The quadratus lumborum, posterior fascia, sacrum, hip lateral rotators, and hamstring bilaterally were these areas. The subjects were asked to kneel directly on the bed to stimulate the lumbar posterior muscles erector spinae (iliocostalis, longissimus), lumborum, and multifidus. At the same time, the IASTM treatment was applied to the rear fascia. The same treatment was applied to the sacrum while the subject kneeled on the bed. For hip lateral rotators, the IASTM treatment was applied to the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius while kneeling in a prone position with knee and hip flexion. Similarly, for the hamstring bilaterally, the IASTM treatment was applied to the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus while in a prone position. The instrument was used for about 20 seconds in a direction parallel to the muscle fibers being treated and then for an additional 20 sec perpendicular to fibres
Transverse friction massageOther
patient was lying prone while the therapist administered a transverse friction massage to the affected area. Before the massage, the therapist cleansed and dried the place to be treated, ensuring it was free of dirt or debris. The therapist used their palpation skills to locate the site of pain and apply the massage technique accordingly. The therapist performed the transverse friction massage using their thumb to apply pressure across the muscle fiber, with each repetition lasting for two minutes
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization | Experimental | IASTM (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization) in four specific body areas for four weeks. The quadratus lumborum, posterior fascia, sacrum, hip lateral rotators, and hamstring bilaterally Receives: Other: Instrument assissted soft tissue mobilization(IASTM) |
| Transverse friction massage | Active comparator | therapist will perform the transverse friction massage using their thumb to apply pressure across the muscle fibers of Quadratus Lumborum Receives: Other: Transverse friction massage |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Numeric Pain rating scale(NPRS)
The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS-11) has been widely used clinically to assess pain. Universal pain screening with a 0-10 pain intensity numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) has been widely implemented in primary care. The current study will use this scale to measure pain in the lumbosacral joint. A numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) requires patients to rate their pain on a defined scale. For example, 0 is no pain, and 10 is the worst. NPRS scores ≤ 5 correspond to mild, 6-7 to moderate, and scores ≥8 to severe pain regarding pain-related interference with functioning
Measured: 8 weeks
Range of motion
The range of motion of the lumbosacral joint will be measured through an inclinometer for lumbar flexion (40-60 degrees), extension (20-35 degrees), and rotations (15-25 degrees) range of motion.
Measured: 8 weeks
Posture
Leg length discrepancy (LLD) is a "direct" measurement using a tape measure that can be utilized to measure the "true" leg length from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to the medial malleolus. The "apparent" leg length is measured from the umbilicus to the medial malleolus, considered normal up to 1 cm, with mild LLD ranging from 1 to 2 cm, moderate LLD from 2 to 5 cm, and severe LLD greater than 5 cm
Measured: 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Mar 2025
- Study start2 May 2023
- Primary completion23 Dec 2023
- Study completion2 Jul 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Quadratus Lumborum SyndromeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Riphah International UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator
- Enrolment
- 34 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Faiza Amjad, PhD, Principal investigator, Riphah international universiy
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06858072
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/RCR &AHS/24/0127
- Status last verified
- Mar 2025
- First submitted
- 20 Feb 2025
- Last updated
- 5 Mar 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Mar 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparative Effects of Transverse Friction Massage Versus Instrument-assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Pain, Range of Motion, and Posture in Patients With Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06858072
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/RCR &AHS/24/0127
- Conditions
- Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 34 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 2 May 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 23 Dec 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 2 Jul 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 5 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
To find effective therapeutic interventions for QLS, a study is being conducted to compare the efficacy of two promising techniques: Transverse Friction Massage (TFM) and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) . Participants will be randomly assigned to either the TFM or IASTM groups. Outcome measures will be collected before and after the intervention, including pain levels assessed through NPRS, range of motion using inclinometer and posture by measuring leg length discrepancy with tape method.Non probability convenience sampling will be used and 34 partcipants will be randomly allocated in two groups after meeting inclusion criteria.Both groups will receive hotpack for 10-15min.Stretching quadratus lumborum will also be performed with strengthening on the opposite side of affected quadratus lumborum.This methodology provides a solid assessment of the effectiveness of TFM and IASTM for Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome therapy.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization | Experimental | Other: Instrument assissted soft tissue mobilization(IASTM)IASTM (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization) in four specific body areas for four weeks. The quadratus lumborum, posterior fascia, sacrum, hip lateral rotators, and hamstring bilaterally |
| Transverse friction massage | Active comparator | Other: Transverse friction massagetherapist will perform the transverse friction massage using their thumb to apply pressure across the muscle fibers of Quadratus Lumborum |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (10 listed)
- Age group between 18-40years
- Males only with target population was office workers
- NPRS>4
- Patients with a positional fault of the pelvis (lateral tilt)
- Patients having chronic LBP for more than six months
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Congenital or acquired spinal deformities
- Spinal stenosis or radiculopathy
- Diagnosed disc prolapse
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Any malignancy
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Instrument assissted soft tissue mobilization(IASTM)IASTM (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization) in four specific body areas. The quadratus lumborum, posterior fascia, sacrum, hip lateral rotators, and hamstring bilaterally were these areas. The subjects were asked to kneel directly on the bed to stimulate the lumbar posterior muscles erector spinae (iliocostalis, longissimus), lumborum, and multifidus. At the same time, the IASTM treatment was applied to the rear fascia. The same treatment was applied to the sacrum while the subject kneeled on the bed. For hip lateral rotators, the IASTM treatment was applied to the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius while kneeling in a prone position with knee and hip flexion. Similarly, for the hamstring bilaterally, the IASTM treatment was applied to the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus while in a prone position. The instrument was used for about 20 seconds in a direction parallel to the muscle fibers being treated and then for an additional 20 sec perpendicular to fibres | Other | Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization |
| Transverse friction massagepatient was lying prone while the therapist administered a transverse friction massage to the affected area. Before the massage, the therapist cleansed and dried the place to be treated, ensuring it was free of dirt or debris. The therapist used their palpation skills to locate the site of pain and apply the massage technique accordingly. The therapist performed the transverse friction massage using their thumb to apply pressure across the muscle fiber, with each repetition lasting for two minutes | Other | Transverse friction massage |
Primary outcome
Numeric Pain rating scale(NPRS)
Time frame: 8 weeks
The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS-11) has been widely used clinically to assess pain. Universal pain screening with a 0-10 pain intensity numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) has been widely implemented in primary care. The current study will use this scale to measure pain in the lumbosacral joint. A numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) requires patients to rate their pain on a defined scale. For example, 0 is no pain, and 10 is the worst. NPRS scores ≤ 5 correspond to mild, 6-7 to moderate, and scores ≥8 to severe pain regarding pain-related interference with functioning
Range of motion
Time frame: 8 weeks
The range of motion of the lumbosacral joint will be measured through an inclinometer for lumbar flexion (40-60 degrees), extension (20-35 degrees), and rotations (15-25 degrees) range of motion.
Posture
Time frame: 8 weeks
Leg length discrepancy (LLD) is a "direct" measurement using a tape measure that can be utilized to measure the "true" leg length from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to the medial malleolus. The "apparent" leg length is measured from the umbilicus to the medial malleolus, considered normal up to 1 cm, with mild LLD ranging from 1 to 2 cm, moderate LLD from 2 to 5 cm, and severe LLD greater than 5 cm
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Mar 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome
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Effects of Post Isometric Relaxation in Patients With Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome
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Comparative Effects of Eloda With/Without Muscle Energy Technique in Patient With Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Faiza Amjad, PhD principal investigator
Riphah international universiy
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Instrument assissted soft tissue mobilization(IASTM) and Transverse friction massage in people with Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 10 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Mar 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Numeric Pain rating scale(NPRS) (time frame: 8 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Mar 2025.