Comparison of Treatment Modalities in Myofascial Pain Syndrome

NCT07413770 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: YL_MAS
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of classical massage on pain, muscle sensitivity, muscle activity, functional status, and quality of life in individuals with myofascial pain syndrome, and to compare the effectiveness of classical massage applied alone versus in combination with a conventional physiotherapy program.

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome; Pain; Massage Therapy; Physiotherapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain Intensity

  The primary outcome of this study is pain intensity, will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain), with higher scores indicating greater pain intensity.

  6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Pressure Pain Threshold-Algometer

  6 weeks

• Muscle Activity

  6 weeks

• Functional Status (Neck Disability Index)

  6 weeks

• Quality of Life (SF-12)

  6 weeks

Study Arms (3)

Conventional Physiotherapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Conventional treatment

Therapeutic massage

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Therapeutic Massage

Combined treatment

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: combined treatment

Interventions

Conventional treatment OTHER

Participants inthis group will receive a conventional physiotherapy program consisting of moist heat application for 15 minutes, pain-limited static stretching of the upper trapezius muscle (30-second stretch with 10-second rest, repeated five times), electrotherapy modalities (TENS, ultrasound, and infrared therapy), and postural education with a home exercise program for approximately 10 minutes.

Conventional Physiotherapy

Therapeutic Massage OTHER

Participants in this group will receive a 20-minute therapeutic massage intervention identical in technique and sequence to the massage component applied in combined group, targeting the neck and upper back muscles using Swedish massage techniques, without additional conventional physiotherapy modalities.

Therapeutic massage

combined treatment OTHER

Participants in this group will receive a combined intervention consisting of a conventional physiotherapy program together with a 20-minute therapeutic massage applied to the neck and upper back muscles (erector spinae, upper and middle trapezius, and levator scapulae), delivered according to Swedish massage principles, including effleurage, kneading, and deep friction techniques targeting active trigger points.

Combined treatment

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 30 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome confirmed by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, according to the criteria of Travell and Simons (1992)
• Male or female participants aged 30-50 years
• Presence of at least one active trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle confirmed by palpation
• Pain radiating to the neck and upper extremity persisting for at least 3 months
• Pain intensity of ≥4/10 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
• Functional impairment indicated by a Neck Disability Index (NDI) score ≥10/50 (≥20%)
• Written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of diagnosed systemic musculoskeletal or rheumatologic disorders (e.g., fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis)
• Signs or symptoms of neuropathic pain or cervical radiculopathy
• Conditions contraindicating massage therapy (e.g., skin infection, open wounds, bleeding disorders, active inflammation)
• Receipt of manual therapy, massage, dry needling, injections, or similar treatments targeting the affected region within the preceding 1 month
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• History of acute trauma, fracture, or surgical intervention involving the neck or shoulder region

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Biruni University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Biruni University

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fibromyalgia; Pain

Interventions

Massage; Combined Modality Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Therapy, Soft Tissue; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation

Central Study Contacts

Begüm Kara Kaya, PhD

CONTACT

+905355720021; bkara@biruni.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 8, 2026
• First Posted: February 17, 2026
• Study Start: January 12, 2026
• Primary Completion: February 20, 2026
• Study Completion: March 3, 2026
• Last Updated: February 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)