Neck Muscle IssueNCT07776327
Analyzing Positional Release Therapy and Dry Needling
A study testing Positional release Technique and Dry Needling in people with Neck Muscle Issue, run by University of Karachi at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Levator scapulae syndrome (LSS) is a common musculoskeletal disorder that affects people in a variety of vocations, especially those that require extended static postures and repetitive motions. It is frequently characterized by persistent neck and shoulder pain. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Neck Muscle Issue
- What is being tested?
- Positional release Technique and Dry Needling
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 102 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2026to 2 Sep 2027
- 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 18 to 40 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 18-40 years Willing to participate Having Positive Levator scapulae Test -
Who cannot join
- Any history related to spinal surgery, Previous administration of epidural injections. Neck pain due to specific pathology, Neurological deficits (Myelopathy) and Clinical disorder contraindicated to exercise
- -
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
Sind Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Karachi, Sindh, 74200
Iram Iqbal Shamsi, Mphil., 03012135230, iramiqbalshamsi@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Analyzing Positional Release Therapy and Dry Needling to Improve Pain and Function in Levator Scapulae Syndrome
Levator scapulae syndrome (LSS) is a common musculoskeletal disorder that affects people in a variety of vocations, especially those that require extended static postures and repetitive motions. It is frequently characterized by persistent neck and shoulder pain. Among them, cosmetics professionals Desk top professional and are particularly vulnerable because of the nature of their employment, which involves tasks like prolonged, uncomfortable postures that lead to muscular imbalance.along them Levator Scapulae Syndrome (LSS) is quite common in manual laborers because of heavy lifting, overhead reaching, and repetitive lifting. This results in significant discomfort, stiffness, and limited neck movement due to persistent muscular tension, decreased flexibility, and trigger points in the neck and upper back.
Read the detailed description
Following the screening, participants will be randomized to receive the experimental or the controlled treatment in a1:1 ratio. Computer-generated random numbers will be used for Randomization. After obtaining the basic information, a unique code will be provided to each included patient. The outcome assessor will be blinded to the type of treatment. Patients and investigator could not be blinded due to the nature of treatment. Group "A "(experimental group) will receive Positional Release Technique on Levator Scapulae (Both if Necessary) Group "B" (control group) will receive (control group) will receive Dry needling treatment ,along with Neck strengthening exercises.
All patients will be Assessed for Pain , ROM and Functional Activities at base line and after 4 weeks.
Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) and CROM will be used for pain and ROM respectively.Neck Disability Index (NDI), Oxford Scale, ) will be used for Muscle strength and Daily life disaility Global Rating for patient's assessment of their own progress or decline during a particular course of treatment. and finaly EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) to evaluate health-related quality of life. Mobility, self-care, routine activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression are the five main variables that are assessed.
- Conditions
- Neck Muscle Issue
- Being tested
- Positional release Technique, Dry Needling
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Positional release TechniqueOther
This Techniques Introduce in 1980 by DO Jones. By name of Spontaneous Release than Strain Counterstrain but Now Term PRT is Used Gobally. Muscle rlaxation is Achieved by Putting the muscle in Mos comfortable postion
Dry NeedlingOther
Despite using the same type of filiform (solid) needles, it is not the same as acupuncture. While acupuncture regulates the body's energy flow through conventional channels, dry needling is a Western medical treatment used specifically to relieve pain and release tight muscle knots.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Positional Release Technique PRT | Experimental | Group "A"(experimental group) will receive Positional Release Technique on Levator scapulae (may be both if necessary).along with Neck strengthening exercises.
Patient will be in supine lying with the elbows to the side of the upper body therapist sitting behind stabilizing superior border of scapula, with other hand holding the occiput region. Palpating tender points around superior-medial border of scapula and with occipital hand move the head and neck towards painful side. Pressure will be applied to a Pain perception of 10 and than Physiotherapis MOve the Neck in Different combilation of Movemnt Like Flexion , Side bending Rotation or Extension untill Patient start to feel a minimum releif of Tender point of 75 %. three sets on each side with 30 seconds hold on tender point. A rest of 15 seconds will be given between all sets. Following exercises will be given Rowing, horizontal abduction, shrug, horizontal abduction with ER, prone shoulder extension Receives: Other: Positional release Technique; Other: Dry Needling |
| Active Comparator: Dry Needling Therapy | Active comparator | Group "B" (control group) will receive Dry needling treatment consisting along with Neck strengthening exercises.
Patient will be in prone lying with the elbows adducted the upper body weight rests on the elbows, for further enhancement patient flexes the neck and lets the shoulder girdle relax. A pillow will be placed under shoulder to protrude scapula, exposing the super medial border for palpation and Introducing needles from a superior to inferio posterior angle to avoid lung lobe. With therapist wearing glove Alcohol swaps will be used to clean the area to be treated, A 30-40mm (0.32-0.35 gauge) needle will be used depending on body size.
Following exercises will be given Rowing, horizontal abduction, shrug, horizontal abduction with ER, prone shoulder extension Receives: Other: Positional release Technique; Other: Dry Needling |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
VAS Visual Analogue Scale VAS Visual Analogue Scale
The visual analogue scale is used for measurement of pain intensity. It is a continuous scale. It comprises a horizontal/vertical 10 centimeters or 100 millimeters line. The higher scores shows higher pain intensity and lower scores shows lower pain intensity.Left Anchor (0 cm): Represents "No pain" and The Right Anchor (100 cm): Represents "Worst possible pain". Increase in cm indicate worsening of the pain.
Measured: Baseline and After Four weeks of Treatment
The Oxford Muscle Scale
The Oxford muscular Scale, sometimes called the Medical Research Council or MRC scale, as a standardized instrument to measure muscular strength and power, Evaluate and grade manual muscle strength and power on a standardized scale from 0 to 5. Where 0 Means No contraction (lowest) and grade 5 (highest) muscle exhibits normal strength and can move through a full range of motion against maximal, firm resistance. Increase in Grades represent Improving in Strength and recovery while decrease in grade shows weakness and decline in strength.
Measured: Baseline and After Four weeks of Treatment
Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) Universal Goniometery
The cervical spine's (neck's) functional mobility is determined using the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) test. It determines how far a person can move their head in various directions, to assist diagnose neck discomfort, evaluate the healing process following an accident, and monitor the course of rehabilitation.Cervical goniometry is the clinical method of measuring neck mobility using a standard handheld universal goniometer. The goniometer's stationary arm always tracks a fixed reference line relative to the ground or torso. The moving arm follows the structural movement of the skull. Measures CROM in degrees. Increase in degrees denote improvement and increase ROM
Measured: Baseline and After Four weeks of Treatment
EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D)
Measure generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL). It is one of the most widely used Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) globally. The EQ-5D descriptive system is a preference-based HRQL measure with one question for each of the five dimensions that include mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. The EQ-5D questionnaire also includes a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), by which respondents can report their perceived health status with a grade ranging from 0 (the worst possible health status) to 100 (the best possible health status).
Measured: Baseline and After Four weeks of Treatment
Secondary outcomes (2)
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
The gold-standard Client reported questionnaire to measure how much neck discomfort interferes with day-to-day functioning is the Neck Disability Index (NDI).Measure how much neck pain affects a patient's daily activities and to track their progress over time. It consists of 10 sections covering areas like pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headaches, concentration, work, driving, sleeping, and recreation. Each section is scored from 0 (no disability) to 5 (severe disability), giving a total possible raw score of 50. Scores of 0-4 means No disability, Neck pain has negligible impact on daily living where scores of 25 - 34 reflects complete disability, Patient is bedbound or severely incapacitated by pain.
Measured: Baseline and After Four weeks of Treatment
Global Rating of Change (GRC)
A simple, self-filled questionnaire used to gauge a patient's perceived progress or decline over time. It enables patients to list the extent to which their condition has improved since beginning an intervention. A single-item outcome measure used in clinical practice and research to quantify a patient's self-perceived improvement or deterioration over a specific period. The most heavily validated and widely used version is the 15-point scale (ranging from -7 to +7. Positive Scores (+1 to +7): Indicate improvement, where +1 represents "a tiny bit better" and +7 represents "a very great deal better", Neutral Score (0): Indicates the condition is unchanged or exactly "the same". Negative Scores (-1 to -7): Indicate worsening, where -1 represents "a tiny bit worse" and -7 represents "a very great deal worse". Scores of +4 or +5 and above indicate a definitive, highly successful clinical outcome.
Measured: Baseline and After Four weeks of Treatment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Aug 2026
- Study start1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion2 Sep 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion2 Sep 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Neck Muscle IssueStudies 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
- 102 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Karachi
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Iram Iqbal Shamsi, University of Karachi
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07776327
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IIShamsi
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 16 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 1 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Due to ethical obligations, inadequate infrastructure, and the need to preserve scientific control.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Analyzing Positional Release Therapy and Dry Needling to Improve Pain and Function in Levator Scapulae Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07776327
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IIShamsi
- Conditions
- Neck Muscle Issue
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 102 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of KarachiUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 2 Sep 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 2 Sep 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 20 Aug 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.
Levator scapulae syndrome (LSS) is a common musculoskeletal disorder that affects people in a variety of vocations, especially those that require extended static postures and repetitive motions. It is frequently characterized by persistent neck and shoulder pain. Among them, cosmetics professionals Desk top professional and are particularly vulnerable because of the nature of their employment, which involves tasks like prolonged, uncomfortable postures that lead to muscular imbalance.along them Levator Scapulae Syndrome (LSS) is quite common in manual laborers because of heavy lifting, overhead reaching, and repetitive lifting. This results in significant discomfort, stiffness, and limited neck movement due to persistent muscular tension, decreased flexibility, and trigger points in the neck and upper back.
Detailed description
Following the screening, participants will be randomized to receive the experimental or the controlled treatment in a1:1 ratio. Computer-generated random numbers will be used for Randomization. After obtaining the basic information, a unique code will be provided to each included patient. The outcome assessor will be blinded to the type of treatment. Patients and investigator could not be blinded due to the nature of treatment. Group "A "(experimental group) will receive Positional Release Technique on Levator Scapulae (Both if Necessary) Group "B" (control group) will receive (control group) will receive Dry needling treatment ,along with Neck strengthening exercises.
All patients will be Assessed for Pain , ROM and Functional Activities at base line and after 4 weeks.
Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) and CROM will be used for pain and ROM respectively.Neck Disability Index (NDI), Oxford Scale, ) will be used for Muscle strength and Daily life disaility Global Rating for patient's assessment of their own progress or decline during a particular course of treatment. and finaly EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) to evaluate health-related quality of life. Mobility, self-care, routine activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression are the five main variables that are assessed.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Positional Release Technique PRT | Experimental | Other: Positional release Technique, Other: Dry NeedlingGroup "A"(experimental group) will receive Positional Release Technique on Levator scapulae (may be both if necessary).along with Neck strengthening exercises. Patient will be in supine lying with the elbows to the side of the upper body therapist sitting behind stabilizing superior border of scapula, with other hand holding the occiput region. Palpating tender points around superior-medial border of scapula and with occipital hand move the head and neck towards painful side. Pressure will be applied to a Pain perception of 10 and than Physiotherapis MOve the Neck in Different combilation of Movemnt Like Flexion , Side bending Rotation or Extension untill Patient start to feel a minimum releif of Tender point of 75 %. three sets on each side with 30 seconds hold on tender point. A rest of 15 seconds will be given between all sets. Following exercises will be given Rowing, horizontal abduction, shrug, horizontal abduction with ER, prone shoulder extension |
| Active Comparator: Dry Needling Therapy | Active comparator | Other: Positional release Technique, Other: Dry NeedlingGroup "B" (control group) will receive Dry needling treatment consisting along with Neck strengthening exercises. Patient will be in prone lying with the elbows adducted the upper body weight rests on the elbows, for further enhancement patient flexes the neck and lets the shoulder girdle relax. A pillow will be placed under shoulder to protrude scapula, exposing the super medial border for palpation and Introducing needles from a superior to inferio posterior angle to avoid lung lobe. With therapist wearing glove Alcohol swaps will be used to clean the area to be treated, A 30-40mm (0.32-0.35 gauge) needle will be used depending on body size. Following exercises will be given Rowing, horizontal abduction, shrug, horizontal abduction with ER, prone shoulder extension |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- 18-40 years Willing to participate Having Positive Levator scapulae Test -
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Any history related to spinal surgery, Previous administration of epidural injections. Neck pain due to specific pathology, Neurological deficits (Myelopathy) and Clinical disorder contraindicated to exercise
- -
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Positional release TechniqueThis Techniques Introduce in 1980 by DO Jones. By name of Spontaneous Release than Strain Counterstrain but Now Term PRT is Used Gobally. Muscle rlaxation is Achieved by Putting the muscle in Mos comfortable postion | Other | Active Comparator: Dry Needling Therapy, Positional Release Technique PRT |
| Dry NeedlingDespite using the same type of filiform (solid) needles, it is not the same as acupuncture. While acupuncture regulates the body's energy flow through conventional channels, dry needling is a Western medical treatment used specifically to relieve pain and release tight muscle knots. | Other | Active Comparator: Dry Needling Therapy, Positional Release Technique PRT |
Primary outcome
VAS Visual Analogue Scale VAS Visual Analogue Scale
Time frame: Baseline and After Four weeks of Treatment
The visual analogue scale is used for measurement of pain intensity. It is a continuous scale. It comprises a horizontal/vertical 10 centimeters or 100 millimeters line. The higher scores shows higher pain intensity and lower scores shows lower pain intensity.Left Anchor (0 cm): Represents "No pain" and The Right Anchor (100 cm): Represents "Worst possible pain". Increase in cm indicate worsening of the pain.
The Oxford Muscle Scale
Time frame: Baseline and After Four weeks of Treatment
The Oxford muscular Scale, sometimes called the Medical Research Council or MRC scale, as a standardized instrument to measure muscular strength and power, Evaluate and grade manual muscle strength and power on a standardized scale from 0 to 5. Where 0 Means No contraction (lowest) and grade 5 (highest) muscle exhibits normal strength and can move through a full range of motion against maximal, firm resistance. Increase in Grades represent Improving in Strength and recovery while decrease in grade shows weakness and decline in strength.
Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) Universal Goniometery
Time frame: Baseline and After Four weeks of Treatment
The cervical spine's (neck's) functional mobility is determined using the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) test. It determines how far a person can move their head in various directions, to assist diagnose neck discomfort, evaluate the healing process following an accident, and monitor the course of rehabilitation.Cervical goniometry is the clinical method of measuring neck mobility using a standard handheld universal goniometer. The goniometer's stationary arm always tracks a fixed reference line relative to the ground or torso. The moving arm follows the structural movement of the skull. Measures CROM in degrees. Increase in degrees denote improvement and increase ROM
EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D)
Time frame: Baseline and After Four weeks of Treatment
Measure generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL). It is one of the most widely used Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) globally. The EQ-5D descriptive system is a preference-based HRQL measure with one question for each of the five dimensions that include mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. The EQ-5D questionnaire also includes a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), by which respondents can report their perceived health status with a grade ranging from 0 (the worst possible health status) to 100 (the best possible health status).
2 secondary outcomes
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Time frame: Baseline and After Four weeks of Treatment
Global Rating of Change (GRC)
Time frame: Baseline and After Four weeks of Treatment
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 1 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Due to ethical obligations, inadequate infrastructure, and the need to preserve scientific control.
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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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Positional release Technique and Dry Needling in people with Neck Muscle Issue, run by University of Karachi 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 1 inclusion and 2 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Sep 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?
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 Iram Iqbal Shamsi, MPhil (+92 3012135230, iramiqbalshamsi@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
VAS Visual Analogue Scale VAS Visual Analogue Scale (time frame: Baseline and After Four weeks of Treatment). The study lists 4 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 1 Sep 2026.