Tension Neck SyndromeGT vs MSTRNCT07602972
Effects of Graston Technique Versus Soft Tissue Release on Neck Pain and Range of Motion.
A study testing Graston Technique and Manual Soft Tissue Release in people with Tension Neck Syndrome, run by Green International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This study compares two manual therapy techniques for treating tension neck syndrome: Graston Technique and Manual Soft Tissue Release. Tension neck syndrome causes neck pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 60 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Tension Neck Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- Graston Technique and Manual Soft Tissue Release
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 2 Nov 2025to 5 May 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 20 to 60 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients aged 20-60 years.
- Patients of both genders.
- Patients with persistent neck pain.
- Patients with neck pain absent of spondylosis, disk prolapse, or radiculopathy.
Who cannot join
- The patients who did not want to participate
- The patients who just had cervical spine surgery.
- The patients who had recent cervical injury.
- The patients who comes with tumor of the cervical spine.
- The patients affected by neck dysfunction.
- The patients with cervical disc herniation.
- The patients who had difficulties in language.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Pakistan1 site
Rafique Bhatti Memorial Hospital, Department of Physiotherapy
Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000
About this study
Official title: Comparative Effects of Graston Technique and Manual Soft Tissue Release on Pain and Range of Motion in Patients With Tension Neck Syndrome
This study compares two manual therapy techniques for treating tension neck syndrome: Graston Technique and Manual Soft Tissue Release. Tension neck syndrome causes neck pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
Participants will be assigned to receive either Graston Technique or Manual Soft Tissue Release for a set number of sessions. Researchers will measure changes in neck pain and range of motion before and after treatment to see which technique is more effective.
The purpose is to provide evidence on the best manual therapy approach for improving neck pain and movement in patients with tension neck syndrome.
Read the detailed description
Tension neck syndrome is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by neck pain, muscle tightness, and limited cervical range of motion. Manual therapy interventions such as Graston Technique and Manual Soft Tissue Release are widely used in physiotherapy practice, but direct comparative evidence between them is limited.
This interventional study aims to compare the effects of Graston Technique versus Manual Soft Tissue Release on pain intensity and cervical range of motion in patients diagnosed with tension neck syndrome.
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups. Group 1 will receive Graston Technique, and Group 2 will receive Manual Soft Tissue Release. Both interventions will be delivered by qualified physiotherapists according to a standardized protocol. Outcomes including pain, measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and cervical range of motion, measured by goniometry, will be assessed at baseline and post-intervention.
The study will help determine which technique provides greater improvement in pain reduction and functional mobility, guiding clinical decision-making in the management of tension neck syndrome.
- Conditions
- Tension Neck Syndrome
- Being tested
- Graston Technique, Manual Soft Tissue Release
- Keywords
- Graston Technique, Manual Soft Tissue Release, Neck Pain, Cervical Range of Motion, Physiotherapy, Manual 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.
Graston TechniqueProcedure or surgery
Also called IASTM
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization using stainless steel Graston Technique instruments. The technique is applied to the cervical spine and upper trapezius muscles to reduce pain and improve range of motion in patients with tension neck syndrome. Treatment is delivered by a licensed physiotherapist according to the study protocol.
Manual Soft Tissue ReleaseProcedure or surgery
Also called MSTR, Manual Therapy
Manual soft tissue mobilization technique performed by a licensed physiotherapist using hands-on pressure and stretching. The technique targets tightness in the cervical spine and upper trapezius muscles to reduce pain and improve cervical range of motion in patients with tension neck syndrome. Treatment is delivered according to the study protocol.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Graston Technique | Experimental | Participants in this arm receive Graston Technique, an instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization therapy. Treatment is applied to the cervical spine and upper trapezius muscles using stainless steel instruments. Frequency and duration of sessions are as defined in the study protocol. All interventions are delivered by a licensed physiotherapist. Receives: Procedure: Graston Technique |
| Manual Soft Tissue Release | Experimental | Participants in this arm receive Manual Soft Tissue Release, a hands-on manual therapy technique. The therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to release tightness in the cervical spine and upper trapezius muscles. Frequency and duration of sessions are as defined in the study protocol. All interventions are delivered by a licensed physiotherapist. Receives: Procedure: Manual Soft Tissue Release |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Neck Pain Intensity
Neck pain intensity measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), where 0 = no pain and 10 = worst pain imaginable. Higher scores indicate greater pain.
Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Change in Cervical Range of Motion
Cervical range of motion for flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation measured in degrees using a goniometer. Higher values indicate greater range of motion.
Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 May 2026
- Study start2 Nov 2025
- Primary completion29 Apr 2026
- Study completion5 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Tension Neck SyndromeStudies 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
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups. Group 1 receives Graston Technique and Group 2 receives Manual Soft Tissue Release. Each group receives the assigned intervention only.
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Green International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Wajeeha Nadeem, Green International University
- Investigators
- Wajeeha Nadeem, Masters in Rehabilitation Scie, Principal investigator, Green Internation University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07602972
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- GIU/REC/26-36
- Acronym
- GT vs MSTR
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 16 May 2026
- Last updated
- 22 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Only IPD used in the results publication will be shared
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparative Effects of Graston Technique and Manual Soft Tissue Release on Pain and Range of Motion in Patients With Tension Neck Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07602972
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- GT vs MSTR / GIU/REC/26-36
- Conditions
- Tension Neck Syndrome
- Keywords
- Graston Technique, Manual Soft Tissue Release, Neck Pain, Cervical Range of Motion, Physiotherapy, Manual Therapy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Green International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 2 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 29 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 5 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 22 May 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.
This study compares two manual therapy techniques for treating tension neck syndrome: Graston Technique and Manual Soft Tissue Release. Tension neck syndrome causes neck pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
Participants will be assigned to receive either Graston Technique or Manual Soft Tissue Release for a set number of sessions. Researchers will measure changes in neck pain and range of motion before and after treatment to see which technique is more effective.
The purpose is to provide evidence on the best manual therapy approach for improving neck pain and movement in patients with tension neck syndrome.
Detailed description
Tension neck syndrome is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by neck pain, muscle tightness, and limited cervical range of motion. Manual therapy interventions such as Graston Technique and Manual Soft Tissue Release are widely used in physiotherapy practice, but direct comparative evidence between them is limited.
This interventional study aims to compare the effects of Graston Technique versus Manual Soft Tissue Release on pain intensity and cervical range of motion in patients diagnosed with tension neck syndrome.
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups. Group 1 will receive Graston Technique, and Group 2 will receive Manual Soft Tissue Release. Both interventions will be delivered by qualified physiotherapists according to a standardized protocol. Outcomes including pain, measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and cervical range of motion, measured by goniometry, will be assessed at baseline and post-intervention.
The study will help determine which technique provides greater improvement in pain reduction and functional mobility, guiding clinical decision-making in the management of tension neck syndrome.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, care provider, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups. Group 1 receives Graston Technique and Group 2 receives Manual Soft Tissue Release. Each group receives the assigned intervention only.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Graston Technique | Experimental | Procedure: Graston TechniqueParticipants in this arm receive Graston Technique, an instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization therapy. Treatment is applied to the cervical spine and upper trapezius muscles using stainless steel instruments. Frequency and duration of sessions are as defined in the study protocol. All interventions are delivered by a licensed physiotherapist. |
| Manual Soft Tissue Release | Experimental | Procedure: Manual Soft Tissue ReleaseParticipants in this arm receive Manual Soft Tissue Release, a hands-on manual therapy technique. The therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to release tightness in the cervical spine and upper trapezius muscles. Frequency and duration of sessions are as defined in the study protocol. All interventions are delivered by a licensed physiotherapist. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Patients aged 20-60 years.
- Patients of both genders.
- Patients with persistent neck pain.
- Patients with neck pain absent of spondylosis, disk prolapse, or radiculopathy.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- The patients who did not want to participate
- The patients who just had cervical spine surgery.
- The patients who had recent cervical injury.
- The patients who comes with tumor of the cervical spine.
- The patients affected by neck dysfunction.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Graston TechniqueAlso: IASTMInstrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization using stainless steel Graston Technique instruments. The technique is applied to the cervical spine and upper trapezius muscles to reduce pain and improve range of motion in patients with tension neck syndrome. Treatment is delivered by a licensed physiotherapist according to the study protocol. | Procedure or surgery | Graston Technique |
| Manual Soft Tissue ReleaseAlso: MSTR, Manual TherapyManual soft tissue mobilization technique performed by a licensed physiotherapist using hands-on pressure and stretching. The technique targets tightness in the cervical spine and upper trapezius muscles to reduce pain and improve cervical range of motion in patients with tension neck syndrome. Treatment is delivered according to the study protocol. | Procedure or surgery | Manual Soft Tissue Release |
Primary outcome
Change in Neck Pain Intensity
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Neck pain intensity measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), where 0 = no pain and 10 = worst pain imaginable. Higher scores indicate greater pain.
Change in Cervical Range of Motion
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Cervical range of motion for flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation measured in degrees using a goniometer. Higher values indicate greater range of motion.
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 22 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Only IPD used in the results publication will be shared
Related trials for Tension Neck Syndrome
Recruiting
Low-Energy Ultrasound, Electrical and Magnetic Field Stimulation in Therapy-Resistant Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Myofascial Pain Syndrome - Lower Back, Myofascial Pain Syndrome - Neck
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.
Wajeeha Nadeem, Masters in Rehabilitation Scie principal investigator
Green Internation 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 Graston Technique and Manual Soft Tissue Release in people with Tension Neck Syndrome, run by Green 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 4 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 22 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 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?
Change in Neck Pain Intensity (time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention). The study lists 2 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 22 May 2026.