Massage Gun vs Deep Friction Massage for Upper Trapezius Trigger Points
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Massage Gun Therapy, Deep Friction Massage Group.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Myofacial Trigger Points of Upper Trapezius. Basic parameters: 24 years — 45 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Pakistan
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Effectiveness Of Massage Gun Therapy Versus Deep Friction Massage On Upper Trapezius Trigger Points
Overview
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.
Interventions
- Other Massage Gun Therapy
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. - Other Deep Friction Massage Group
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.
Primary outcome measures
- Numaric Pain Rating scale(NPRS) [Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention( From enrollment of first week and then to the end of 2 weeks)]
Secondary outcome measures (2)
- 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.]
Eligibility criteria
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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Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Single blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Pakistan · 1 center
- Gulf Care Hospital, River gardens — Islamabad
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07681661 · IIUI/RERC/ADT/2026/01/216