Myofacial Trigger Points of Upper TrapeziusNCT07681661
Massage Gun vs Deep Friction Massage for Upper Trapezius Trigger Points
A study testing Massage Gun Therapy and Deep Friction Massage Group in people with Myofacial Trigger Points of Upper Trapezius, run by Ibadat International University, Islamabad at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This study compares the effectiveness of Massage Gun Therapy and Deep Friction Massage in individuals with upper trapezius myofascial trigger points. The interventions will be evaluated for their effects on pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, cervical range of motion, and neck disability. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 24 to 45 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Myofacial Trigger Points of Upper Trapezius
- What is being tested?
- Massage Gun Therapy and Deep Friction Massage Group
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 46 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 1 Jan 2026to 1 Sep 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 24 to 45 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Inclusion Criteria: Presence of active trigger points in the upper trapezius (confirmed by palpation, referred pain pattern, and pain reproduction)(travell and simson's method).
Moderate to severe pain (VAS>4/10). No prior treatment for neck/shoulder pain in past 4 weeks. Age 24-45 years (young adults according to WHO classification) Both genders Exclusion Criteria:History of cervical spine surgery or severe musculoskeletal pathology.
Neurological deficits. Systemic disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia). Recent trauma or fractures in the neck/shoulder region. Current pregnancy.
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Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Pakistan1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Gulf Care Hospital, River gardens
Islamabad
About this study
Official title: Effectiveness Of Massage Gun Therapy Versus Deep Friction Massage On Upper Trapezius Trigger Points
This study compares the effectiveness of Massage Gun Therapy and Deep Friction Massage in individuals with upper trapezius myofascial trigger points. The interventions will be evaluated for their effects on pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, cervical range of motion, and neck disability. The aim is to determine which treatment is more effective in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes.
- Being tested
- Massage Gun Therapy, Deep Friction Massage Group
- Keywords
- Myofascial Pain Syndromes Trigger Points Neck Pain Massage Musculoskeletal Pain Physical Therapy Modalities Rehabilitation
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Massage Gun TherapyOther
Massage Gun Therapy will be applied to the upper trapezius myofascial trigger point using a handheld percussive massage device. Participants will receive treatment for 5 minutes per session, three sessions per week for 2 weeks. The intervention aims to reduce pain, decrease muscle tension, improve pressure pain threshold, and enhance cervical range of motion and functional ability.
Deep Friction Massage GroupOther
Deep Friction Massage will be applied manually over the upper trapezius myofascial trigger point using transverse friction techniques. Each session will last 5 minutes and will be administered three times per week for 2 weeks. The intervention aims to reduce pain, decrease muscle tightness, improve pressure pain threshold, increase cervical range of motion, and enhance functional ability.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Massage Gun Therapy group | Active comparator | Participants in this group will receive Massage Gun Therapy applied to the upper trapezius myofascial trigger point according to a standardized treatment protocol. The intervention aims to reduce pain, decrease muscle tension, and improve cervical function. Receives: Other: Massage Gun Therapy |
| Deep Friction Massage Group | Sham comparator | Participants in this group will receive Deep Friction Massage applied to the upper trapezius myofascial trigger point according to a standardized treatment protocol. The intervention aims to reduce pain, improve tissue mobility, and enhance cervical function. Receives: Other: Deep Friction Massage Group |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Numaric Pain Rating scale(NPRS)
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS): Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, an 11-point self-reported scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "worst imaginable pain." Participants will rate their current level of pain, with higher scores indicating greater pain intensity.
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention( From enrollment of first week and then to the end of 2 weeks)
Secondary outcomes (2)
Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Cervical ROM (Inclinometer): Cervical range of motion will be measured using an inclinometer to assess neck movements including flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation. Higher values indicate greater cervical mobility and improved neck function. Neck Disability Index(NDI):The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a self-reported questionnaire used to assess neck-related functional disability. Scores range from 0 to 50, with higher scores indicating greater disability.
Measured: Cervical ROM (Inclinometer): Baseline and after 2 weeks of intervention. Neck Disability Index(NDI):Baseline and after 2 weeks of intervention.
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a self-reported questionnaire used to assess neck-related functional disability. Scores range from 0 to 50, with higher scores indicating greater disability.
Measured: Baseline and after 2 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 posted2 Jul 2026
- Study start1 Jan 2026
- Primary completion1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Myofacial Trigger Points of Upper TrapeziusStudies 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
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 46 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ibadat International University, Islamabad
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- MUHAMMAD ASHAR RAFI, DPT, MS-NMPT, Principal investigator, Ibadat International University, Islamabad
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07681661
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IIUI/RERC/ADT/2026/01/216
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 26 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 2 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effectiveness Of Massage Gun Therapy Versus Deep Friction Massage On Upper Trapezius Trigger Points
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07681661
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IIUI/RERC/ADT/2026/01/216
- Keywords
- Myofascial Pain Syndromes Trigger Points Neck Pain Massage Musculoskeletal Pain Physical Therapy Modalities Rehabilitation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 46 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Ibadat International University, IslamabadUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 2 Jul 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 the effectiveness of Massage Gun Therapy and Deep Friction Massage in individuals with upper trapezius myofascial trigger points. The interventions will be evaluated for their effects on pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, cervical range of motion, and neck disability. The aim is to determine which treatment is more effective in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Massage Gun Therapy group | Active comparator | Other: Massage Gun TherapyParticipants in this group will receive Massage Gun Therapy applied to the upper trapezius myofascial trigger point according to a standardized treatment protocol. The intervention aims to reduce pain, decrease muscle tension, and improve cervical function. |
| Deep Friction Massage Group | Sham comparator | Other: Deep Friction Massage GroupParticipants in this group will receive Deep Friction Massage applied to the upper trapezius myofascial trigger point according to a standardized treatment protocol. The intervention aims to reduce pain, improve tissue mobility, and enhance cervical function. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 24 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Massage Gun TherapyMassage Gun Therapy will be applied to the upper trapezius myofascial trigger point using a handheld percussive massage device. Participants will receive treatment for 5 minutes per session, three sessions per week for 2 weeks. The intervention aims to reduce pain, decrease muscle tension, improve pressure pain threshold, and enhance cervical range of motion and functional ability. | Other | Massage Gun Therapy group |
| Deep Friction Massage GroupDeep Friction Massage will be applied manually over the upper trapezius myofascial trigger point using transverse friction techniques. Each session will last 5 minutes and will be administered three times per week for 2 weeks. The intervention aims to reduce pain, decrease muscle tightness, improve pressure pain threshold, increase cervical range of motion, and enhance functional ability. | Other | Deep Friction Massage Group |
Primary outcome
Numaric Pain Rating scale(NPRS)
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention( From enrollment of first week and then to the end of 2 weeks)
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS): Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, an 11-point self-reported scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "worst imaginable pain." Participants will rate their current level of pain, with higher scores indicating greater pain intensity.
2 secondary outcomes
Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Time frame: Cervical ROM (Inclinometer): Baseline and after 2 weeks of intervention. Neck Disability Index(NDI):Baseline and after 2 weeks of intervention.
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Time frame: Baseline and after 2 weeks of intervention.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Jul 2026.
Related trials for Myofacial Trigger Points of Upper Trapezius
Recruiting
Efficacy of Adding Greater Occipital Nerve Block to Trigger Point Injection in Patients With Neck Pain
Neck Pain, Myofacial Pain Syndrome
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.
MUHAMMAD ASHAR RAFI, DPT, MS-NMPT principal investigator
Ibadat International University, Islamabad
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Massage Gun Therapy and Deep Friction Massage Group in people with Myofacial Trigger Points of Upper Trapezius, run by Ibadat International University, Islamabad 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?
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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Jul 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. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact MUHAMMAD ASHAR RAFI, DPT, MS-NMPT (0092-308-3407837, ashar.rafi@uipt.iiui.edu.pk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Numaric Pain Rating scale(NPRS) (time frame: Baseline and post-intervention( From enrollment of first week and then to the end of 2 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 2 Jul 2026.