Neck PainTRAP-BREATHENCT07634588
ACUTE EFFECT OF DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING ON POSTOPERATIVE UPPER TRAPEZIUS PAIN
A study testing Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise, Soft Tissue Mobilization and Percussive Therapy in people with Neck Pain and Myofascial Pain Syndrome, run by Istanbul Aydın University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the acute effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises added to soft tissue mobilization and percussive therapy on pain intensity, functional disability, and pressure pain threshold in operating room nurses experiencing upper trapezius pain after surgery-related… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 22 to 55 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Neck Pain, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
- What is being tested?
- Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise, Soft Tissue Mobilization and Percussive Therapy
- Type of treatment
- Medical device, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 38 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 5 Jun 2026to 31 Jul 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 22 to 55 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged between 22 and 55 years.
- Operating room nurse actively working in the hospital operating theater.
- Reporting upper trapezius pain and tenderness within 30 minutes after completion of a surgical procedure.
- Willing to participate and able to provide written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- History of trauma, surgery, or chronic disease affecting the neck or shoulder region.
- Regular participation in breathing exercise programs.
- Psychiatric disorders requiring anxiolytic or antidepressant medication.
- Pregnancy.
- Skin disease, infection, or open wound in the treatment area.
- Severe cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled hypertension.
- Contraindications to manual therapy, soft tissue mobilization, percussive therapy, or breathing exercises.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Istanbul Aydin University
Istanbul, Eyalet/Yerleşke, 34520
About this study
Official title: EVALUATION OF THE ACUTE EFFECTS OF DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING EXERCISES ADDED TO SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION AND PERCUSSIVE THERAPY ON PAIN, FUNCTIONALITY, AND PRESSURE PAIN THRESHOLD IN THE UPPER TRAPEZIUS MUSCLE OF SURGICAL NURSES AFTER SURGERY
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the acute effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises added to soft tissue mobilization and percussive therapy on pain intensity, functional disability, and pressure pain threshold in operating room nurses experiencing upper trapezius pain after surgery-related work activities.
Participants will be operating room nurses working in a hospital operating theater who report upper trapezius pain and tenderness within 30 minutes after completing a surgical procedure. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving soft tissue mobilization, percussive therapy, and diaphragmatic breathing exercises, or a control group receiving soft tissue mobilization and percussive therapy alone.
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), functional disability using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and mechanical pain sensitivity using Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) measurements. Assessments will be performed immediately before and after a single treatment session. The study aims to determine whether the addition of diaphragmatic breathing exercises provides additional benefits in reducing pain and improving function in the acute postoperative working period of operating room nurses.
Read the detailed description
Operating room nurses are exposed to prolonged static postures, repetitive upper extremity movements, and sustained neck and shoulder loading during surgical procedures. These occupational demands frequently result in upper trapezius pain, tenderness, and functional limitations. Acute musculoskeletal symptoms experienced after surgical procedures may negatively affect both occupational performance and quality of life.
Soft tissue mobilization and percussive therapy are commonly used physiotherapy interventions for reducing muscle tension, improving local circulation, and decreasing pain sensitivity. Diaphragmatic breathing exercises may further contribute to pain reduction through autonomic nervous system regulation, parasympathetic activation, and decreased physiological stress responses. Although each intervention has been investigated separately, evidence regarding their combined acute effects in operating room nurses is limited.
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate whether the addition of diaphragmatic breathing exercises to a treatment protocol consisting of soft tissue mobilization and percussive therapy provides additional benefits for pain reduction, functional improvement, and pressure pain threshold in operating room nurses experiencing upper trapezius pain following surgery-related work activities.
Participants meeting the eligibility criteria will be randomly allocated to one of two groups. The intervention group will receive soft tissue mobilization, percussive therapy, and diaphragmatic breathing exercises, while the control group will receive soft tissue mobilization and percussive therapy only. All interventions will be administered during a single treatment session under physiotherapist supervision.
Outcome measures will include pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), functional disability assessed by the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and mechanical pain sensitivity assessed by Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) measurements using a digital algometer. Measurements will be obtained immediately before and immediately after the intervention session.
The findings of this study may contribute to the development of practical physiotherapy strategies for managing acute work-related upper trapezius pain among operating room nurses and may help identify the additional value of diaphragmatic breathing exercises within a multimodal physiotherapy approach.
- Being tested
- Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise, Soft Tissue Mobilization, Percussive Therapy
- Keywords
- Upper Trapezius Pain, Diaphragmatic Breathing, Soft Tissue Mobilization, Percussive Therapy, Operating Room Nurses, Pressure Pain Threshold, Neck Disability Index, Musculoskeletal Pain, Acute Pain
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain, Myofascial Pain Syndromes, Musculoskeletal Pain, Acute Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Diaphragmatic Breathing ExerciseBehavioural
Participants will perform diaphragmatic breathing exercises for 5 minutes in a seated position under physiotherapist supervision.
Soft Tissue MobilizationOther
Soft tissue mobilization techniques will be applied to the upper trapezius muscle for 5 minutes.
Percussive TherapyDevice
Percussive therapy will be applied to the upper trapezius muscle for 5 minutes using a massage device.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental Group | Experimental | Participants will receive 5 minutes of soft tissue mobilization, 5 minutes of percussive therapy, and 5 minutes of diaphragmatic breathing exercises in a single treatment session. Receives: Behavioral: Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise; Other: Soft Tissue Mobilization; Device: Percussive Therapy |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Participants will receive 5 minutes of soft tissue mobilization and 5 minutes of percussive therapy in a single treatment session. Receives: Other: Soft Tissue Mobilization; Device: Percussive Therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The Visual Analog Scale ranges from 0 to 10 points, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores indicate greater pain severity. Change from pre-intervention to immediately post-intervention will be analyzed.
Measured: Immediately before intervention and immediately after intervention (single session)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Neck Disability Index
Neck-related disability will be assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). The Neck Disability Index consists of 10 items with a total score ranging from 0 to 50 points. A score of 0 indicates no disability and 50 indicates maximum disability. Higher scores indicate greater disability and poorer neck function. Change from pre-intervention to immediately post-intervention will be analyzed.
Measured: Immediately before intervention and immediately after intervention (single session)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Jun 2026
- Study start5 Jun 2026
- Primary completion25 Jul 2026
- Study completion31 Jul 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Neck PainStudies 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
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Aydın University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, FATMA ÇAVDARCI, Istanbul Aydın University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07634588
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- TR-TRAP-2026-01
- Acronym
- TRAP-BREATHE
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 2 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 13 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared to protect participant confidentiality and privacy.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- EVALUATION OF THE ACUTE EFFECTS OF DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING EXERCISES ADDED TO SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION AND PERCUSSIVE THERAPY ON PAIN, FUNCTIONALITY, AND PRESSURE PAIN THRESHOLD IN THE UPPER TRAPEZIUS MUSCLE OF SURGICAL NURSES AFTER SURGERY
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07634588
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- TRAP-BREATHE / TR-TRAP-2026-01
- Keywords
- Upper Trapezius Pain, Diaphragmatic Breathing, Soft Tissue Mobilization, Percussive Therapy, Operating Room Nurses, Pressure Pain Threshold, Neck Disability Index, Musculoskeletal Pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Aydın UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 25 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Jul 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 9 Jun 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 randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the acute effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises added to soft tissue mobilization and percussive therapy on pain intensity, functional disability, and pressure pain threshold in operating room nurses experiencing upper trapezius pain after surgery-related work activities.
Participants will be operating room nurses working in a hospital operating theater who report upper trapezius pain and tenderness within 30 minutes after completing a surgical procedure. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving soft tissue mobilization, percussive therapy, and diaphragmatic breathing exercises, or a control group receiving soft tissue mobilization and percussive therapy alone.
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), functional disability using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and mechanical pain sensitivity using Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) measurements. Assessments will be performed immediately before and after a single treatment session. The study aims to determine whether the addition of diaphragmatic breathing exercises provides additional benefits in reducing pain and improving function in the acute postoperative working period of operating room nurses.
Detailed description
Operating room nurses are exposed to prolonged static postures, repetitive upper extremity movements, and sustained neck and shoulder loading during surgical procedures. These occupational demands frequently result in upper trapezius pain, tenderness, and functional limitations. Acute musculoskeletal symptoms experienced after surgical procedures may negatively affect both occupational performance and quality of life.
Soft tissue mobilization and percussive therapy are commonly used physiotherapy interventions for reducing muscle tension, improving local circulation, and decreasing pain sensitivity. Diaphragmatic breathing exercises may further contribute to pain reduction through autonomic nervous system regulation, parasympathetic activation, and decreased physiological stress responses. Although each intervention has been investigated separately, evidence regarding their combined acute effects in operating room nurses is limited.
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate whether the addition of diaphragmatic breathing exercises to a treatment protocol consisting of soft tissue mobilization and percussive therapy provides additional benefits for pain reduction, functional improvement, and pressure pain threshold in operating room nurses experiencing upper trapezius pain following surgery-related work activities.
Participants meeting the eligibility criteria will be randomly allocated to one of two groups. The intervention group will receive soft tissue mobilization, percussive therapy, and diaphragmatic breathing exercises, while the control group will receive soft tissue mobilization and percussive therapy only. All interventions will be administered during a single treatment session under physiotherapist supervision.
Outcome measures will include pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), functional disability assessed by the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and mechanical pain sensitivity assessed by Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) measurements using a digital algometer. Measurements will be obtained immediately before and immediately after the intervention session.
The findings of this study may contribute to the development of practical physiotherapy strategies for managing acute work-related upper trapezius pain among operating room nurses and may help identify the additional value of diaphragmatic breathing exercises within a multimodal physiotherapy approach.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise, Other: Soft Tissue Mobilization, Device: Percussive TherapyParticipants will receive 5 minutes of soft tissue mobilization, 5 minutes of percussive therapy, and 5 minutes of diaphragmatic breathing exercises in a single treatment session. |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Other: Soft Tissue Mobilization, Device: Percussive TherapyParticipants will receive 5 minutes of soft tissue mobilization and 5 minutes of percussive therapy in a single treatment session. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 22 to 55 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Aged between 22 and 55 years.
- Operating room nurse actively working in the hospital operating theater.
- Reporting upper trapezius pain and tenderness within 30 minutes after completion of a surgical procedure.
- Willing to participate and able to provide written informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- History of trauma, surgery, or chronic disease affecting the neck or shoulder region.
- Regular participation in breathing exercise programs.
- Psychiatric disorders requiring anxiolytic or antidepressant medication.
- Pregnancy.
- Skin disease, infection, or open wound in the treatment area.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Diaphragmatic Breathing ExerciseParticipants will perform diaphragmatic breathing exercises for 5 minutes in a seated position under physiotherapist supervision. | Behavioural | Experimental Group |
| Soft Tissue MobilizationSoft tissue mobilization techniques will be applied to the upper trapezius muscle for 5 minutes. | Other | Control Group, Experimental Group |
| Percussive TherapyPercussive therapy will be applied to the upper trapezius muscle for 5 minutes using a massage device. | Device | Control Group, Experimental Group |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity
Time frame: Immediately before intervention and immediately after intervention (single session)
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The Visual Analog Scale ranges from 0 to 10 points, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores indicate greater pain severity. Change from pre-intervention to immediately post-intervention will be analyzed.
1 secondary outcome
Neck Disability Index
Time frame: Immediately before intervention and immediately after intervention (single session)
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 13 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared to protect participant confidentiality and privacy.
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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 Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise, Soft Tissue Mobilization and Percussive Therapy in people with Neck Pain and Myofascial Pain Syndrome, run by Istanbul Aydın 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 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 13 Oct 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: Immediately before intervention and immediately after intervention (single session)). 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 13 Oct 2026.