Neck Pain MusculoskeletalNCT07307014
Acute Effects of Percussion Massage in Nonspecific Neck Pain
A study testing Percussion Massage Therapy in people with Neck Pain Musculoskeletal, run by Bezmialem Vakif University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 60 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Neck Pain Musculoskeletal
- What is being tested?
- Percussion Massage Therapy
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 May 2024to 20 Sep 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 60 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Quick Relief or Real Response? Acute Effects of Percussion Massage Versus Sham Treatment in Individuals With Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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.
Read the detailed description
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.
- Conditions
- Neck Pain Musculoskeletal
- Being tested
- Percussion Massage Therapy, Sham Percussion Therapy
- Keywords
- nonspesific neck pain, percussive massage, musculoskeletal disorders
- Medical subject headings
- Musculoskeletal Diseases
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Percussion Massage TherapyDevice
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.
Sham Percussion TherapyDevice
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Percussion Massage Therapy | Experimental | Participants in this group receive a single session of percussion massage therapy applied to the bilateral upper trapezius muscles. Receives: Device: Percussion Massage Therapy |
| Sham Percussion Therapy | Sham comparator | Participants in this group receive a sham percussion intervention designed to mimic the active treatment without providing mechanical tissue stimulation. Receives: Device: Sham Percussion Therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: Immediately before and immediately after the intervention
Secondary outcomes (1)
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.
Measured: Immediately before and immediately after the intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Dec 2025
- Study start1 May 2024
- Primary completion12 Sep 2024
- Study completion20 Sep 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Neck Pain MusculoskeletalStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Bezmialem Vakif 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
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Bezmialem Vakif University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ertugrul Safran, Bezmialem Vakif University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07307014
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BVUçes
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 13 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 29 Dec 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- 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
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 Dec 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Quick Relief or Real Response? Acute Effects of Percussion Massage Versus Sham Treatment in Individuals With Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07307014
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- BVUçes
- Conditions
- Neck Pain Musculoskeletal
- Keywords
- nonspesific neck pain, percussive massage, musculoskeletal disorders
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Bezmialem Vakif UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 May 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 12 Sep 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 20 Sep 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 29 Dec 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.
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.
Detailed description
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Percussion Massage Therapy | Experimental | Device: Percussion Massage TherapyParticipants in this group receive a single session of percussion massage therapy applied to the bilateral upper trapezius muscles. |
| Sham Percussion Therapy | Sham comparator | Device: Sham Percussion TherapyParticipants in this group receive a sham percussion intervention designed to mimic the active treatment without providing mechanical tissue stimulation. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Percussion Massage TherapyPercussion 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. | Device | Percussion Massage Therapy |
| Sham Percussion TherapyThe 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. | Device | Sham Percussion Therapy |
Primary outcome
Cervical Range of Motion (ROM)
Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after the intervention
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.
1 secondary outcome
Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT)
Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after the intervention
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 29 Dec 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: 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
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Percussion Massage Therapy in people with Neck Pain Musculoskeletal, run by Bezmialem Vakif University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 4 inclusion and 5 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 29 Dec 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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?
Cervical Range of Motion (ROM) (time frame: Immediately before and immediately after the intervention). 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 29 Dec 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.