Neck PainNCT07007442
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Versus Dry Cupping On Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain
A study testing Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, dry cupping and conventional therapy in people with Neck Pain, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
Which is more effective Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization or Dry cupping on pain intensity, cervical range of motion and functional status in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain? Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Neck Pain
- What is being tested?
- Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, dry cupping and conventional therapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 45 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 23 Apr 2024to 10 Jun 2025
- 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 35 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 45 patients with chronic mechanical neck pain in the past 3 months.
- Age range from 18 to 35 years old.
- Patients will be from both sexes.
- Body mass index from 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2.
- Subjects suffer from chronic mechanical neck pain.
Who cannot join
- Serious injury.
- Tumor.
- Infection.
- Spinal fractures.
- Recent cervical surgery.
- Cervical radiculopathy.
Show all 11Show fewer
- Skin disease, allergy, hypersensitivity, any malignant or benign tumors.
- Unhealed scars or wounds.
- Pregnancy.
- Known psychiatric condition under treatment or medication.
- Any orthopedic and Neurological condition as cervical PIVD, spondylolisthesis.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Which is more effective Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization or Dry cupping on pain intensity, cervical range of motion and functional status in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain?
Read the detailed description
Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal pathology treated by physical therapists around the world. Neck pain is one of the highest complaints in terms of years lived with a disability, increasing the prelevancy of proper management by physical therapists. The overall prevalence of neck pain ranges from 10% to 20%, and the incidence of new neck pain ranging from 10% to 50%. Dry cupping involves the use of glass, plastic or bamboo cups that are placed over localized areas of skin. A vacuum suction is achieved with heat from a flame, a manual handheld pump or electrical pumping devices to create a negative pressure, drawing localized skin and soft tissue structures into the cup . Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a new technique, which has been known to be effective in reducing muscle tightness in athletes . IASTM is a new tool, which allows clinicians to efficiently locate and treat individuals diagnosed with soft tissue dysfunction .
The use of the instrument is thought to provide a mechanical advantage for the clinician by allowing deeper penetration and more specific treatment, while also reducing imposed stress on the hands
- Conditions
- Neck Pain
- Being tested
- Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, dry cupping, conventional therapy
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilizationOther
for application of IASTM. the patient will sit on chair in comfortable position, apply lubricant material on treated area (trapezius muscle). Apply IASTM in 30-60 angle for 40 to 120 sec until hyperemia occur for each side+ conventional therapy
dry cuppingOther
the dry cupping will be aplied by using plastic cups that are placed over localized areas of skin. A vacuum suction is achieved with a manual handheld pump device to create a negative pressure, drawing localized skin and soft tissue structures into the cup+ conventional therapy
conventional therapyOther
the patients will receive Isometric strengthening exercises for cervical Extensors, Flexors, bilateral side Flexors and Rotators (resistance was about 50% of the patient's maximum strength, hold for 10 seconds, for 10 repetitions.Stretching of the upper fibers of trapezius (stretching was held for 30 seconds and repeated 3 times). postural correction exercises in the form of ; 1) Chin tucks exercise is quick and easy to do and it helps strengthening upper thoracic extensors, the muscles that align head over shoulders.2)Corner stretch: provides a deep stretch of the chest and shoulders, which can help maintain good posture.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| intrumented assissted soft tissue mobilization | Experimental | twenty patients Will receive Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization and Conventional therapy (isometric exercises, stretching, posture correction exercises and cold pack) for 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks Receives: Other: Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization; Other: conventional therapy |
| dry cupping | Experimental | twenty patients Will receive Dry cupping and conventional therapy (isometric exercises, stretching, posture correction exercises and cold pack) for 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. Receives: Other: dry cupping; Other: conventional therapy |
| conventional therapy | Active comparator | twenty patients will be treated with isometric exercises, stretching, posture correction exercises and cold pack) for 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. Receives: Other: conventional therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain intensity
Visual analogue scale will assess pain intensity.The visual analog scale (VAS) is a validated, subjective measure for acute and chronic pain. Scores are based on self-reported measures of symptoms that are recorded with a single handwritten mark placed at one point along the length of a 10-cm line that represents a continuum between the two ends of the scale- "no pain" on the left end (0 cm) of the scale and the "worst pain" on the right end of the scale (10 cm).
Measured: up to four weeks
Secondary outcomes (1)
Cervical Range of motion
The measurements of the cervical range of motion, carried out with the CROM goniometer, The goniometer was placed on the subject's head and a magnetic collar was attached to their shoulders; it was always arranged in the same position with respect to the magnetic pole. During all the measurements, the subjects were seated, with their back straight, and looking ahead; their feet were supported on the floor. The subjects remained in the same sitting position from the moment the recording procedure was started.
The measurement was performed during "half a cycle" of the movement, i.e., from "the neutral" position to the final range of motion in a given plane.
Measured: up to four weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Jun 2025
- Study start23 Apr 2024
- Primary completion30 May 2025
- Study completion10 Jun 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Neck PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo 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
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 45 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Fatma Ahmed Reda Ahmed Shalby, Cairo University
- Investigators
- Sahar Abdullah, Phd, Study director, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07007442
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- P.T.REC/012/005096
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 25 May 2025
- Last updated
- 25 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Binder AI. Neck pain. BMJ Clin Evid. 2008 Aug 4;2008:1103.
PubMed 19445809
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Versus Dry Cupping On Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07007442
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- P.T.REC/012/005096
- Conditions
- Neck Pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 45 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 23 Apr 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 May 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 Jun 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 5 Jun 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.
Which is more effective Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization or Dry cupping on pain intensity, cervical range of motion and functional status in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain?
Detailed description
Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal pathology treated by physical therapists around the world. Neck pain is one of the highest complaints in terms of years lived with a disability, increasing the prelevancy of proper management by physical therapists. The overall prevalence of neck pain ranges from 10% to 20%, and the incidence of new neck pain ranging from 10% to 50%. Dry cupping involves the use of glass, plastic or bamboo cups that are placed over localized areas of skin. A vacuum suction is achieved with heat from a flame, a manual handheld pump or electrical pumping devices to create a negative pressure, drawing localized skin and soft tissue structures into the cup . Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a new technique, which has been known to be effective in reducing muscle tightness in athletes . IASTM is a new tool, which allows clinicians to efficiently locate and treat individuals diagnosed with soft tissue dysfunction .
The use of the instrument is thought to provide a mechanical advantage for the clinician by allowing deeper penetration and more specific treatment, while also reducing imposed stress on the hands
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| intrumented assissted soft tissue mobilization | Experimental | Other: Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, Other: conventional therapytwenty patients Will receive Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization and Conventional therapy (isometric exercises, stretching, posture correction exercises and cold pack) for 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks |
| dry cupping | Experimental | Other: dry cupping, Other: conventional therapytwenty patients Will receive Dry cupping and conventional therapy (isometric exercises, stretching, posture correction exercises and cold pack) for 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. |
| conventional therapy | Active comparator | Other: conventional therapytwenty patients will be treated with isometric exercises, stretching, posture correction exercises and cold pack) for 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 45 patients with chronic mechanical neck pain in the past 3 months.
- Age range from 18 to 35 years old.
- Patients will be from both sexes.
- Body mass index from 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2.
- Subjects suffer from chronic mechanical neck pain.
Key exclusion criteria (11 listed)
- Serious injury.
- Tumor.
- Infection.
- Spinal fractures.
- Recent cervical surgery.
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 assisted soft tissue mobilizationfor application of IASTM. the patient will sit on chair in comfortable position, apply lubricant material on treated area (trapezius muscle). Apply IASTM in 30-60 angle for 40 to 120 sec until hyperemia occur for each side+ conventional therapy | Other | intrumented assissted soft tissue mobilization |
| dry cuppingthe dry cupping will be aplied by using plastic cups that are placed over localized areas of skin. A vacuum suction is achieved with a manual handheld pump device to create a negative pressure, drawing localized skin and soft tissue structures into the cup+ conventional therapy | Other | dry cupping |
| conventional therapythe patients will receive Isometric strengthening exercises for cervical Extensors, Flexors, bilateral side Flexors and Rotators (resistance was about 50% of the patient's maximum strength, hold for 10 seconds, for 10 repetitions.Stretching of the upper fibers of trapezius (stretching was held for 30 seconds and repeated 3 times). postural correction exercises in the form of ; 1) Chin tucks exercise is quick and easy to do and it helps strengthening upper thoracic extensors, the muscles that align head over shoulders.2)Corner stretch: provides a deep stretch of the chest and shoulders, which can help maintain good posture. | Other | conventional therapy, dry cupping, intrumented assissted soft tissue mobilization |
Primary outcome
Pain intensity
Time frame: up to four weeks
Visual analogue scale will assess pain intensity.The visual analog scale (VAS) is a validated, subjective measure for acute and chronic pain. Scores are based on self-reported measures of symptoms that are recorded with a single handwritten mark placed at one point along the length of a 10-cm line that represents a continuum between the two ends of the scale- "no pain" on the left end (0 cm) of the scale and the "worst pain" on the right end of the scale (10 cm).
1 secondary outcome
Cervical Range of motion
Time frame: up to four weeks
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 25 Sep 2025.
- Results publication: PubMed 19445809Binder AI. Neck pain. BMJ Clin Evid. 2008 Aug 4;2008:1103.
- Dry Cupping Therapy for Improving Nonspecific Neck Pain and Subcutaneous HemodynamicsLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Sahar Abdullah, Phd study director
Cairo University
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 assisted soft tissue mobilization, dry cupping and conventional therapy in people with Neck Pain, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
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 5 inclusion and 11 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 25 Sep 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 Egypt. 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?
Pain intensity (time frame: up to four weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07007442, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 25 Sep 2025.