To Compare the Efficacy of Instrument Assisted STM vs BT in Alleviating Pain and Tightness of Trapezius Muscle

NCT07037147 | Active Not Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: DPT/Batch-Fall20/1007
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 26
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Trapezius muscle pain and tightness are common musculoskeletal issues that can significantly impair movement and quality of life. Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and Bowen Therapy are gaining attention as non-invasive treatments for myofascial pain and tension.

Conditions

Trapezius Muscle Strain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Visual Analogue Scale

  Visual analogue scale is known pain assessment scale which was introduced by Hayes and Patterson in 1921. Its scoring range is from 0 to 10 where 0 shows no pain, 5 shows moderate pain and 10 shows worst pain.

  6 Months

• Neck Disability Index

  Neck pain disability index is used for the disability of the neck or the impact of neck pain on a person. This 10 item questionnaire is used to assess the patient overall quality of life as well as the personal ability to perform activities of daily living.

  6 Months

• Neck Disability Index

  Neck disability index is used for the disability of the neck or the impact of neck pain on a person. This 10 item questionnaire is used to assess the patient overall quality of life as well as the personal ability to perform activities of daily living.

  6 months

Study Arms (2)

instrument assistance soft tissue mobilisation

EXPERIMENTAL

Combination Product: instrument assistance soft tissue mobilisation

Bowen technique

EXPERIMENTAL

Combination Product: Bowen technique

Interventions

instrument assistance soft tissue mobilisation COMBINATION_PRODUCT

In this group instrument assistance soft tissue mobilisation will be given followed by conventional therapy. IASTM will be given by using IASTM tool M2T blade. In this process patient will be asked to sit in a chair by resting its forearm in front of the table.

instrument assistance soft tissue mobilisation

Bowen technique COMBINATION_PRODUCT

In this group Bowen technique will be given after the basic conventional therapy. For this technique patient will be asked to lie in a prone position where the neck of the patient will be supported with the help of a small pillow. Therapist thumb will be placed on the affected side of the muscle.

Bowen technique

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age from 18 to 50 years
• Both gender
• Bilateral trapezius muscle tightness assessed by palpation.
• Subject with the presence of myofacial trigger points in upper trapezius muscle assessed on palpation.
• Patient with symptoms for the past two weeks.
• People with pain of neck due to tight muscle more than 3 on VAS.

You may not qualify if:

• Participant with any fracture of cervical spine or surgery within the 6 month timespan.
• Participant with radiating neck pain towards the upper extremity.
• People with other conditions like disc prolapse, spondylolisthesis, tb of spine etc.
• People with any instrument assistance soft tissue mobilisation technique contraindication.
• People with whiplash injury history.
• Participant who has been diagnosed with myopathy or fibromyalgia.
• Pregnant females who has already gone under myofacial therapy within the past month.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Superior University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Fatima Memorial Hospital

Lahore, Pakistan

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 17, 2025
• First Posted: June 25, 2025
• Study Start: March 4, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2025
• Study Completion: September 30, 2025
• Last Updated: June 25, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)