Stripping Massage Technique and Post-isometric Relaxation

NCT07063355 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR & AHS/24/0171
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 44
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized clinical trial investigates the synergistic effects of stripping massage and Post-Isometric Relaxation (PIR) on pain alleviation, ROM and functional movement improvement in individuals with Trapezius myalgia. A purposive sampling approach will select participants aged 18 and 50 years. A total of 44 patients will be taken, who will be randomly divided into two equal groups, each containing 22 patients. Group A will receive standard baseline management, supplemented with heating pad, active stretching, isometrics and ischemic compression, while Group B will receive the combined management (stripping massage + PIR) .

Conditions

Trapezius Myalgia

Keywords

Pain; Range of Motion; Functional Movement

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• NPRS

  The Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a numeric adaptation of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). In this version, the patient selects a number from 0 to 10 that best represents the intensity of their pain. This 11-point scale ranges from "no pain" to "worst pain imaginable," where 0 indicates no pain and 10 signifies extreme pain.

  4 weeks

• Universal Goniometer

  Range of motion (ROM) is a crucial parameter for assessing movement limitations. While clinicians commonly use goniometers to measure ROM, the accuracy of this method largely relies on the clinician's skill and experience.

  4 weeks

• NDI

  The NDI (Neck Disability Index) is a condition-specific, patient-completed questionnaire consisting of 10 items designed to evaluate pain and functional status, primarily used for reporting neck pain. Each item on the scale is scored from 0 to 5, with the total score interpreted as a percentage. A score of 0 points (0%) indicates no activity limitation, while a score of 50 points (100%) indicates complete activity limitation. The NDI is a reliable and valid questionnaire for neck pain patients, with interclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.50 to 0.98

  4 Weeks

Study Arms (2)

Stripping Massage Technique

EXPERIMENTAL

Stripping Massage Technique: * The back of the neck and shoulder were uncovered. * Controlled and steady pressure was administered using the thumb along the entirety of the tense trapezius muscle, moving from origin to insertion and perpendicular to the muscle fibers, for approximately 3 minutes, twice weekly over a period of 4 weeks. * The pressure was progressively raised with each subsequent stroke, based on tolerance level.

Other: Stripping Massage Technique:

Post isometric Relaxation

EXPERIMENTAL

Post-Isometric Relaxation (PIR): * During the PIR intervention, the patients rested in a supine position with their necks tilted to the side, away from the affected side, placing the upper trapezius muscle fibers in a stretched position. * A moderate isometric contraction, around 75% of the patient's maximum effort, was performed by the upper trapezius and maintained for 5 seconds, followed by a 3-second relaxation phase. * The therapist then gently mobilized the cervical spine to a new range of motion barrier. * This sequence was repeated four times per session

Other: Post-Isometric Relaxation (PIR)

Interventions

Stripping Massage Technique: OTHER

* The back of the neck and shoulder were uncovered. * Controlled and steady pressure was administered using the thumb along the entirety of the tense trapezius muscle, moving from origin to insertion and perpendicular to the muscle fibers, for approximately 3 minutes, twice weekly over a period of 4 weeks. * The pressure was progressively raised with each subsequent stroke, based on tolerance level.

Stripping Massage Technique

Post-Isometric Relaxation (PIR) OTHER

* During the PIR intervention, the patients rested in a supine position with their necks tilted to the side, away from the affected side, placing the upper trapezius muscle fibers in a stretched position. * A moderate isometric contraction, around 75% of the patient's maximum effort, was performed by the upper trapezius and maintained for 5 seconds, followed by a 3-second relaxation phase. * The therapist then gently mobilized the cervical spine to a new range of motion barrier. * This sequence was repeated four times per session.

Post isometric Relaxation

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Presenting with neck pain and stiffness
• Experiencing tightness in the upper trapezius muscle
• Having pain at rest, local twitch response or jump sign in upper trapezius
• Patients having functional limitations while performing certain activities of everyday living.

You may not qualify if:

• Patients with an NPRS score of 3 or less.
• Presence of structural abnormalities like torticollis or scoliosis.
• Presence of skin disease on the back.
• Having undergone upper limb surgery within the past year .
• Participation in another clinical trial.
• Severe psychiatric conditions that would impair participation or compliance

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

The Perfect Physiotherapy Clinic

Muzaffargarh, Punjab Province, 34200, Pakistan

Location

Related Publications (10)

• Aras D, Al-Ihsan IM, Sutono E. The effectivity of trigger point dry needling in improving pain on people with upper trapezius myalgia. Enfermería Clínica. 2020;30:87-91.

  BACKGROUND

• Joshi A, Jawade S, Chitale N. Effectiveness of Myofascial Release (MFR) vs. High-Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Pain Relief and Functional Improvement in College Students With Trapezius Myalgia. Cureus. 2022 Oct 4;14(10):e29898. doi: 10.7759/cureus.29898. eCollection 2022 Oct.

  PMID: 36348914 BACKGROUND

• Supornpun N, Rummaneethorn P, Nararatwanchai T, Saiwichai T, Chaichalotornkul S. Incobotulinum Toxin A with a One-year Long-lasting Effect for Trapezius Contouring and Superior Efficacy for the Treatment of Trapezius Myalgia. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2022 Apr-Jun;15(2):168-174. doi: 10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_68_21.

  PMID: 35965898 BACKGROUND

• SAMIR SM, AMANY M, ABDELRAHMAN AC, SALWA FA. Effect of Passive Stretching Exercises Versus Post Isometric Relaxation Technique on Pain Intensity in Quadratus Lumborum Trigger Points on Lower Back Myofascial Pain Syndrome. The Medical Journal of Cairo University. 2024;91(12):1519-23.

  BACKGROUND

• Elagamawy MI, Elsayed WH, Zahran MR. Effect of Muscle Energy Technique versus Instrument-assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in Upper Trapezius Myofascial Trigger Points. Egyptian Journal of Physical Therapy. 2023;16(1):7-16.

  BACKGROUND

• Albaker AB. Ischemic pressure vs. post-isometric relaxation for treatment of rhomboid latent myofascial trigger point: a systemic review. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2023 Jun;27(11):5031-5038. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202306_32620.

  PMID: 37318477 BACKGROUND

• El-Hafez HM, Hamdy HA, Takla MK, Ahmed SEB, Genedy AF, Abd El-Azeim ASS. Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation versus stripping massage for upper trapezius myofascial trigger points. J Taibah Univ Med Sci. 2020 Mar 6;15(2):87-93. doi: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2020.01.006. eCollection 2020 Apr.

  PMID: 32368203 BACKGROUND

• Junaid M, Yaqoob I, Shakil Ur Rehman S, Ghous M. Effects of post-isometric relaxation, myofascial trigger point release and routine physical therapy in management of acute mechanical neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. J Pak Med Assoc. 2020 Oct;70(10):1688-1692. doi: 10.5455/JPMA.15939.

  PMID: 33159734 BACKGROUND

• Ghulam HS, Alqhtani RS, Alshahrani A, Ahmed H, Khan AR, Khan A. Efficacy of cervical mobilization with post-isometric relaxation in managing mechanical neck pain, ROM, and functional limitations associated with myofascial trigger points. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Dec 29;102(52):e36710. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000036710.

  PMID: 38206736 BACKGROUND

• Fahmy EM, Ibrahim AR, Elabd AM. Ischemic Pressure vs Postisometric Relaxation for Treatment of Rhomboid Latent Myofascial Trigger Points: A Randomized, Blinded Clinical Trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2021 Feb;44(2):103-112. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2020.07.005.

  PMID: 33715788 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Muzna Munir, PhD*

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Ayesha Mashal, MS student

CONTACT

03057346060; ayeshamashal200@gmail.com

Muzna Munir, PhD Scholar

CONTACT

03344265125; muznafmh@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 3, 2025
• First Posted: July 14, 2025
• Study Start: July 24, 2025
• Primary Completion: September 20, 2025
• Study Completion: October 20, 2025
• Last Updated: July 14, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)