Pseudo AnginaGT-LICNCT07728357
Treatment of Pectoralis Trigger Points in Patients With Pseudo Angina
A study testing Graston Technique and Local Ischemic Compression in people with Pseudo Angina and Myofascial Pain Syndromes, run by University of Faisalabad at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Pseudo-angina is a musculoskeletal condition characterized by chest pain that resembles angina but occurs due to non-cardiac causes, particularly myofascial trigger points in the chest wall muscles. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 25 to 50 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Pseudo Angina, Myofascial Pain Syndromes, Pectoralis Muscles
- What is being tested?
- Graston Technique and Local Ischemic Compression
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 36 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 25 Jul 2026to 1 Nov 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
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 25 to 50 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Participants which fulfill the Simon's Trigger Point Diagnostic Criteria
- Referred by Cardiologist • Patients with Trigger Points in chest Muscles and left Pectoralis Major and Minor muscles.
Who cannot join
- Spinal Deformity • Gastric Problems • Any cardiac disease • Heart Burns • Panic Attacks • Pleurisy • Pulmonary Embolism • Pericarditis.
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
The University of Faisalabad
Faisalābad, Punjab Province, 38000
About this study
Official title: Comparative Effects of Graston Technique Versus Local Ischemic Compression on Trigger Points of Pectoralis Major and Minor Among Pseudo-angina Patients
Pseudo-angina is a musculoskeletal condition characterized by chest pain that resembles angina but occurs due to non-cardiac causes, particularly myofascial trigger points in the chest wall muscles. Trigger points in the pectoralis major and minor muscles may contribute to pain, discomfort, and functional limitations by affecting muscle activity and movement. Manual therapy techniques such as the Graston Technique and Local Ischemic Compression (LIC) are commonly used to manage soft tissue dysfunction and myofascial trigger points. This study aims to compare the effects of the Graston Technique and Local Ischemic Compression on pain reduction and functional improvement in patients with pseudo-angina.
Read the detailed description
This is Multiple-center, randomized controlled trail. Participants age 25-50 years with diagnosed pseudo angina will be referred from cardiology department of Aziz Fatima and Faisal hospital to Madina Teaching hospital (MTH) Physiotherapy ward and Jafar Physiotherapy Clinic. After informed consent Participants will be randomly assign to one of two parallel groups using a random number generator. Group A (Experimental): Receive Graston technique 3 sessions per week for total duration 4 weeks. Group B (Active Comparator) receive the LIC 3 sessions per week for total duration 4 weeks. Outcome measures (pain via NPRS, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)) are taken at baseline and end of treatment. Data will be analyzed using Spss version 20.
- Being tested
- Graston Technique, Local Ischemic Compression
- Keywords
- chest pain, Non-cardiac chest pain, Myofascial pain syndrome, Graston Technique, Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, Chest wall pain, Musculoskeletal chest pain, Local Ischemic Compression
- Medical subject headings
- Myofascial Pain Syndromes, Chest Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Graston TechniqueOther
A stainless-steel Graston instrument was applied using controlled strokes at approximately a 45° angle to the skin surface, following the direction of the muscle fibers and across the fibers to mobilize soft tissue restrictions. The treatment was applied for approximately 40-120 seconds over each targeted area.
Local Ischemic CompressionOther
Sustained manual pressure was applied gradually over each trigger point until a tolerable level of discomfort was achieved. The compression was maintained for approximately 90 seconds per trigger point and repeated 1-3 times during each treatment session according to patient tolerance and clinical response. The technique was performed using the therapist's thumb, finger, or knuckle depending on the location and depth of the trigger point
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Graston Technique | Experimental | articipants assigned to this arm received the Graston Technique, an instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization intervention, applied to the identified myofascial trigger points of the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles. The intervention was performed after a gentle Z-stretch of the targeted muscles as baseline treatment. A stainless-steel Graston instrument was applied using controlled strokes at approximately a 45° angle to the skin surface, following the direction of the muscle fibers and across the fibers to mobilize soft tissue restrictions. The treatment was applied for approximately 40-120 seconds over each targeted area. Receives: Other: Graston Technique |
| Local Ischemic Compression | Experimental | Participants assigned to this arm received LIC applied to the identified myofascial trigger points of the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles. Following a gentle Z-stretch of the targeted muscles as baseline treatment, sustained manual pressure was applied gradually over each trigger point until a tolerable level of discomfort was achieved. The compression was maintained for approximately 90 seconds per trigger point and repeated 1-3 times during each treatment session according to patient tolerance and clinical response. The technique was performed using the therapist's thumb, finger, or knuckle depending on the location and depth of the trigger point. Participants received four physiotherapy sessions over a two-week period, with sessions conducted on alternate days. Receives: Other: Local Ischemic Compression |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Shoulder Pain Disability Index
The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index is a well-known neutral measure for assessing the level of pain and functional impairment experienced by people with shoulder issues. It is frequently used in clinical and research settings to assess the severity of shoulder problems and track therapy efficacy. It consists of 13 elements organized into two subscales. The Pain Subscale consists of five items that determine how intense pain is in various circumstances, such as at rest or during activities. The disability subscale consists of eight items: it assesses the level of difficulty with specific everyday shoulder-related tasks, such as lifting weights or putting on a shir
Measured: Baseline and 4 week post intervention
Numeric Pain Rating Scale
NPRS was used as a primary outcome measure to evaluate pain intensity in patients with pseudo-angina. On the scale, 0 represents no discomfort and 10 represents severe pain. At rest and while engaging in activities, participants were asked to rate their level of pain.
Measured: Baseline and 4 week post intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Jul 2026
- Study start25 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Pseudo AnginaStudies 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
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Faisalabad
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Muhammad Muneeb Jafar, University of Faisalabad
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07728357
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- TUF/EIRB/136/2025
- Acronym
- GT-LIC
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 22 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 27 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
This citation will not be hyperlinked on ClinicalTrials.gov. The effectiveness of instrument- assisted soft tissue mobilization technique (ergonš technique), cupping and ischaemic pressure techniques in the treatment of amateur athletes΄ myofascial trigger points. Journal of Novel Physiotherapy S (3): 1-7.
This citation wilnot be hyperlinked on ClinicalTrails.gov. Fousekis K, Kounavi E and Doriadis S (2016) The Effectiveness of instrument- assisted soft tissue mobilization technique, cupping and ischemic pressure techniques in the treatment of amateur athlete's myofascial trigger points. Journal of Novel Physiotherapies 3(2): 1-7.