NCT07260019

INSTRUMENT ASSISSTED SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION VERSUS DRY CUPPING ON UPPER TRAPEZIUS TRIGGER POINTS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 75 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Cairo University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 20 Years – 50 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the effects of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and dry cupping in patients (both genders), aged 20-50 years, diagnosed with chronic non-specific neck pain who have active upper trapezius trigger points. The main questions it aims to answer are : 1. Is there a significant difference in the effect on pain level (measured by VAS) between the groups? 2. Is there a significant difference in the effect on cervical range of motion (CROM), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and functional disability (NDI) between the groups? Researchers will compare three groups: 1. Group A (Control):\] Will receive a conventional physical therapy program (hot packs, TENS, and exercises). 2. Group B (Experimental):\] Will receive conventional therapy plus IASTM. 3. Group C (Experimental):\] Will receive conventional therapy plus Dry Cupping. Participants will be asked to do the following: 1. Undergo baseline assessments (measuring pain, ROM, PPT, and disability) before treatment and final assessments after 4 weeks. 2. Attend \[3 treatment sessions per week for four weeks\]. 3. At each session, all participants will receive the conventional physical therapy program , while Groups B and C will receive their additional intervention (IASTM or dry cupping).

Conditions

• Upper Trapezius Trigger Points
• Non Specific Chronic Neck Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization	While the participant is seated, a lubricant (Vaseline) is applied to the skin. The M2T blade is used at a 45° angle to apply slow sweeping strokes along the muscle from origin to insertion (sweeping technique) over the upper trapezius for approximately three minutes.
DEVICE	Dry Cupping	While the participant is in a prone position , a single 5cm inner diameter plastic cup is applied to the skin directly over the pre-determined treatment location. The cup is secured by pumping a manual hand-pump three times. The cup is left in place for 5 minutes.
OTHER	Hot Packs	Commercially accessible hot packs (made of bentonite) are placed over the neck and the upper part of the shoulder musculature while the patient is in a prone position. The application lasts for 15-20 minutes.
DEVICE	Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation	Applied while the patient is sitting. Electrodes are placed directly over or surrounding the trigger point and along the muscle belly. Parameters: Pulse rate 60-100Hz , Pulse width 40-250 μs. Intensity is set to a tolerable tingling sensation. Treatment duration is 20-30 minutes.
BEHAVIORAL	Exercise Program	A supervised home exercise program consisting of: Range of Motion Exercises: Cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation, and shoulder shrugs. Strengthening Exercises: Isometric cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation; scapular retractions; and chin tucks. Dosage: Performed daily for 10-15 repetitions and 2-3 sets

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-01
• Primary completion: 2026-11-01
• Completion: 2026-12-01
• First posted: 2025-12-02
• Last updated: 2025-12-02