Myofascial Pain SyndromesNCT07515352
Myofascial Release and Positional Release Techniques in Unilateral Trapezitis
A study testing Myofascial Release Technique and Positional Release Technique in people with Myofascial Pain Syndromes, run by King Saud University at 1 site in India.
Trial summary
Unilateral trapezitis is characterized by upper trapezius myofascial pain and trigger points and commonly causes neck pain, restricted cervical range of motion (ROM), and functional disability. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 25 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Myofascial Pain Syndromes
- What is being tested?
- Myofascial Release Technique and Positional Release Technique
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteIndia
- Study dates
- 5 Sep 2023to 20 May 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 20 to 25 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Subjects diagnosed with trapezitis with trigger point by an orthopedic surgeon,
- with unilateral upper trapezius tender point,
- taut band palpable in upper trapezius muscle,
- excruciating spot tenderness at one point along the length of the taut band of upper trapezius muscle,
- restriction in cervical lateral flexion when measured, and
- pain elevated by elongating (stretching) the trapezius muscle
Who cannot join
- Participants with history of cervical spine trauma or fracture,
- recent surgery on the cervical spine,
- skin condition around area to be treated,
- current use of anti-inflammatory medications,
- brachial nerve pain,
- deformities of the neck,
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- sensory/perception anomalies close to the treatment area,
- radiculopathy or myopathy symptoms,
- degenerative cervical spine condition,
- with a history of cardiac illness or presence of a pacemaker,
- epilepsy,
- psychological disorder, and
- pregnant women
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effectiveness of Myofascial Release and Positional Release Techniques on Pain, Cervical Range of Motion, and Neck Disability in Patients With Unilateral Trapezitis
Unilateral trapezitis is characterized by upper trapezius myofascial pain and trigger points and commonly causes neck pain, restricted cervical range of motion (ROM), and functional disability. While myofascial release (MFR) and positional release technique (PRT) are widely used, their comparative effectiveness remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of MFR versus PRT combined with conventional exercises on pain, cervical lateral flexion ROM, and neck disability in young adults with unilateral trapezitis. Thirty participants (aged 20-25 years) with unilateral trapezitis were randomly assigned to two groups (n=15 each). Group A received MFR plus conventional treatment (active neck movements, trapezius stretching), while Group B received PRT plus the same conventional treatment. Interventions were delivered 3 days/week for 20 minutes/session over 2 months. Outcomes included Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), goniometric cervical lateral flexion ROM (affected/unaffected sides), and Neck Disability Index (NDI), measured pre- and post-intervention. Both MFR and PRT effectively improved pain, ROM, and disability in unilateral trapezitis. PRT demonstrated greater short-term benefits for pain reduction and functional improvement, suggesting it as the preferred initial intervention when rapid symptomatic relief is prioritized.
- Conditions
- Myofascial Pain Syndromes
- Being tested
- Myofascial Release Technique, Positional Release Technique
- Keywords
- Musculoskeletal Manipulations, Myofascial Pain Syndromes, Disability Evaluation, Range of Motion
- Medical subject headings
- Myofascial Pain Syndromes
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Myofascial Release TechniqueOther
Myofascial release technique is a specialized manual therapy technique used to alleviate chronic pain and restore motion by releasing tension in the fascia.
Positional Release TechniqueOther
The Positional Release Technique is a gentle manual therapy that resolves pain and tissue dysfunction by moving the body into a "position of ease" or comfort.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental Group 1 | Experimental | In this group, participants received the myofascial release technique and conventional treatment, including active neck movements and trapezius stretching. Receives: Other: Myofascial Release Technique |
| Experimental Group 2 | Active comparator | In this group, participants received the positional release technique and conventional treatment, including active neck movements and trapezius stretching. Receives: Other: Positional Release Technique |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Neck Pain
Pain on the affected side was measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale-11 is a widely used 11-point scale for self-reporting pain. The respondent chooses a whole number (0-10) that best reflects the intensity of their pain. The greater the number, the worse is the outcome.
Measured: 8 weeks.
Secondary outcomes (2)
Range of motion
Neck lateral flexion range of motion is the measurement of how far subjects can tilt their head toward the shoulder while looking straight ahead. The greater the range of motion, the better is the outcome.
Measured: 8 weeks.
Functional status
Functional status was measured using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). It includes 10 items related to pain and functional limitations. A higher score indicates worse outcome.
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 posted7 Apr 2026
- Study start5 Sep 2023
- Primary completion14 Mar 2024
- Study completion20 May 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Myofascial Pain SyndromesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- King Saud University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Cooperative Institute of Health Sciences
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Masood Khan, King Saud University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07515352
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 36.8 MSK/CR/NEU/MPT/CIHS/2023
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 31 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 7 Aug 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 7 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effectiveness of Myofascial Release and Positional Release Techniques on Pain, Cervical Range of Motion, and Neck Disability in Patients With Unilateral Trapezitis
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07515352
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 36.8 MSK/CR/NEU/MPT/CIHS/2023
- Conditions
- Myofascial Pain Syndromes
- Keywords
- Musculoskeletal Manipulations, Myofascial Pain Syndromes, Disability Evaluation, Range of Motion
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- King Saud UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Cooperative Institute of Health Sciences
- Study start
- 5 Sep 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 14 Mar 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 20 May 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 7 Apr 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.
Unilateral trapezitis is characterized by upper trapezius myofascial pain and trigger points and commonly causes neck pain, restricted cervical range of motion (ROM), and functional disability. While myofascial release (MFR) and positional release technique (PRT) are widely used, their comparative effectiveness remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of MFR versus PRT combined with conventional exercises on pain, cervical lateral flexion ROM, and neck disability in young adults with unilateral trapezitis. Thirty participants (aged 20-25 years) with unilateral trapezitis were randomly assigned to two groups (n=15 each). Group A received MFR plus conventional treatment (active neck movements, trapezius stretching), while Group B received PRT plus the same conventional treatment. Interventions were delivered 3 days/week for 20 minutes/session over 2 months. Outcomes included Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), goniometric cervical lateral flexion ROM (affected/unaffected sides), and Neck Disability Index (NDI), measured pre- and post-intervention. Both MFR and PRT effectively improved pain, ROM, and disability in unilateral trapezitis. PRT demonstrated greater short-term benefits for pain reduction and functional improvement, suggesting it as the preferred initial intervention when rapid symptomatic relief is prioritized.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, care provider, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental Group 1 | Experimental | Other: Myofascial Release TechniqueIn this group, participants received the myofascial release technique and conventional treatment, including active neck movements and trapezius stretching. |
| Experimental Group 2 | Active comparator | Other: Positional Release TechniqueIn this group, participants received the positional release technique and conventional treatment, including active neck movements and trapezius stretching. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Subjects diagnosed with trapezitis with trigger point by an orthopedic surgeon,
- with unilateral upper trapezius tender point,
- taut band palpable in upper trapezius muscle,
- excruciating spot tenderness at one point along the length of the taut band of upper trapezius muscle,
- restriction in cervical lateral flexion when measured, and
Key exclusion criteria (13 listed)
- Participants with history of cervical spine trauma or fracture,
- recent surgery on the cervical spine,
- skin condition around area to be treated,
- current use of anti-inflammatory medications,
- brachial nerve pain,
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Myofascial Release TechniqueMyofascial release technique is a specialized manual therapy technique used to alleviate chronic pain and restore motion by releasing tension in the fascia. | Other | Experimental Group 1 |
| Positional Release TechniqueThe Positional Release Technique is a gentle manual therapy that resolves pain and tissue dysfunction by moving the body into a "position of ease" or comfort. | Other | Experimental Group 2 |
Primary outcome
Neck Pain
Time frame: 8 weeks.
Pain on the affected side was measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale-11 is a widely used 11-point scale for self-reporting pain. The respondent chooses a whole number (0-10) that best reflects the intensity of their pain. The greater the number, the worse is the outcome.
2 secondary outcomes
Range of motion
Time frame: 8 weeks.
Functional status
Time frame: 8 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 7 Aug 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 Myofascial Release Technique and Positional Release Technique in people with Myofascial Pain Syndromes, run by King Saud University at 1 site in India.
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 6 inclusion and 13 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 7 Aug 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 India. 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?
Neck Pain (time frame: 8 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 7 Aug 2026.