Myofascial Pain Dysfunction SyndromeNCT07413770
Comparison of Treatment Modalities in Myofascial Pain Syndrome
A study testing Conventional treatment, Therapeutic Massage and combined treatment in people with Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome and Pain, run by Biruni University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of classical massage on pain, muscle sensitivity, muscle activity, functional status, and quality of life in individuals with myofascial pain syndrome, and to compare the effectiveness of classical massage applied alone versus in combination with a conventional… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 30 to 50 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome, Pain, Massage Therapy
- What is being tested?
- Conventional treatment, Therapeutic Massage and combined treatment
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 29 Dec 2025to 20 Feb 2026
- 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 30 to 50 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome confirmed by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, according to the criteria of Travell and Simons (1992)
- Male or female participants aged 30-50 years
- Presence of at least one active trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle confirmed by palpation
- Pain radiating to the neck and upper extremity persisting for at least 3 months
- Pain intensity of ≥4/10 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
- Functional impairment indicated by a Neck Disability Index (NDI) score ≥10/50 (≥20%)
- Written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Presence of diagnosed systemic musculoskeletal or rheumatologic disorders (e.g., fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis)
- Signs or symptoms of neuropathic pain or cervical radiculopathy
- Conditions contraindicating massage therapy (e.g., skin infection, open wounds, bleeding disorders, active inflammation)
- Receipt of manual therapy, massage, dry needling, injections, or similar treatments targeting the affected region within the preceding 1 month
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- History of acute trauma, fracture, or surgical intervention involving the neck or shoulder region
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Classical Massage in Individuals With Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of classical massage on pain, muscle sensitivity, muscle activity, functional status, and quality of life in individuals with myofascial pain syndrome, and to compare the effectiveness of classical massage applied alone versus in combination with a conventional physiotherapy program.
- Being tested
- Conventional treatment, Therapeutic Massage, combined treatment
- Medical subject headings
- Fibromyalgia, Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Conventional treatmentOther
Participants inthis group will receive a conventional physiotherapy program consisting of moist heat application for 15 minutes, pain-limited static stretching of the upper trapezius muscle (30-second stretch with 10-second rest, repeated five times), electrotherapy modalities (TENS, ultrasound, and infrared therapy), and postural education with a home exercise program for approximately 10 minutes.
Therapeutic MassageOther
Participants in this group will receive a 20-minute therapeutic massage intervention identical in technique and sequence to the massage component applied in combined group, targeting the neck and upper back muscles using Swedish massage techniques, without additional conventional physiotherapy modalities.
combined treatmentOther
Participants in this group will receive a combined intervention consisting of a conventional physiotherapy program together with a 20-minute therapeutic massage applied to the neck and upper back muscles (erector spinae, upper and middle trapezius, and levator scapulae), delivered according to Swedish massage principles, including effleurage, kneading, and deep friction techniques targeting active trigger points.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional Physiotherapy | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Conventional treatment |
| Therapeutic massage | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Therapeutic Massage |
| Combined treatment | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: combined treatment |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity
The primary outcome of this study is pain intensity, will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain), with higher scores indicating greater pain intensity.
Measured: 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (4)
Pressure Pain Threshold-Algometer
Muscle sensitivity will be evaluated using a pressure algometer applied over the upper trapezius trigger point, where higher values indicate reduced tenderness. Results will be recorded in kg/cm².
Measured: 6 weeks
Muscle Activity
Muscle activity will be evaluated using surface electromyography (EMG) through root mean square (RMS) values recorded at rest and during 90 degrees of shoulder abduction. Higher RMS values indicate greater muscle activation. Results will ve recorded in µV.
Measured: 6 weeks
Functional Status (Neck Disability Index)
Functional disability related to neck pain will be evaluated using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Total score ranges from 0 to 50; higher scores indicate greater disability. Lower scores reflect improved functional status.
Measured: 6 weeks
Quality of Life (SF-12)
Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the Short Form-12 questionnaire. Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores. Higher scores indicate better quality of life.
Measured: 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Feb 2026
- Study start29 Dec 2025
- Primary completion20 Feb 2026
- Study completion20 Feb 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Myofascial Pain Dysfunction SyndromeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Biruni 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
- Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Biruni University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Begum Kara Kaya, Biruni University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07413770
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- YL_MAS
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 8 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 19 May 2026
- 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 19 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Classical Massage in Individuals With Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07413770
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- YL_MAS
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Biruni UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 29 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 20 Feb 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 Feb 2026 (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.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of classical massage on pain, muscle sensitivity, muscle activity, functional status, and quality of life in individuals with myofascial pain syndrome, and to compare the effectiveness of classical massage applied alone versus in combination with a conventional physiotherapy program.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional Physiotherapy | Experimental | Other: Conventional treatment |
| Therapeutic massage | Experimental | Other: Therapeutic Massage |
| Combined treatment | Experimental | Other: combined treatment |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 30 to 50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome confirmed by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, according to the criteria of Travell and Simons (1992)
- Male or female participants aged 30-50 years
- Presence of at least one active trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle confirmed by palpation
- Pain radiating to the neck and upper extremity persisting for at least 3 months
- Pain intensity of ≥4/10 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Presence of diagnosed systemic musculoskeletal or rheumatologic disorders (e.g., fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis)
- Signs or symptoms of neuropathic pain or cervical radiculopathy
- Conditions contraindicating massage therapy (e.g., skin infection, open wounds, bleeding disorders, active inflammation)
- Receipt of manual therapy, massage, dry needling, injections, or similar treatments targeting the affected region within the preceding 1 month
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional treatmentParticipants inthis group will receive a conventional physiotherapy program consisting of moist heat application for 15 minutes, pain-limited static stretching of the upper trapezius muscle (30-second stretch with 10-second rest, repeated five times), electrotherapy modalities (TENS, ultrasound, and infrared therapy), and postural education with a home exercise program for approximately 10 minutes. | Other | Conventional Physiotherapy |
| Therapeutic MassageParticipants in this group will receive a 20-minute therapeutic massage intervention identical in technique and sequence to the massage component applied in combined group, targeting the neck and upper back muscles using Swedish massage techniques, without additional conventional physiotherapy modalities. | Other | Therapeutic massage |
| combined treatmentParticipants in this group will receive a combined intervention consisting of a conventional physiotherapy program together with a 20-minute therapeutic massage applied to the neck and upper back muscles (erector spinae, upper and middle trapezius, and levator scapulae), delivered according to Swedish massage principles, including effleurage, kneading, and deep friction techniques targeting active trigger points. | Other | Combined treatment |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity
Time frame: 6 weeks
The primary outcome of this study is pain intensity, will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain), with higher scores indicating greater pain intensity.
4 secondary outcomes
Pressure Pain Threshold-Algometer
Time frame: 6 weeks
Muscle Activity
Time frame: 6 weeks
Functional Status (Neck Disability Index)
Time frame: 6 weeks
Quality of Life (SF-12)
Time frame: 6 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 19 May 2026.
- 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.
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 Conventional treatment, Therapeutic Massage and combined treatment in people with Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome and Pain, run by Biruni 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 7 inclusion and 6 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 19 May 2026. 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. 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: 6 weeks). 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 19 May 2026.