Myofascial Release and Positional Release Techniques in Unilateral Trapezitis

NCT07515352 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 36.8 MSK/CR/NEU/MPT/CIHS/2023
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Unilateral trapezitis is characterized by upper trapezius myofascial pain and trigger points and commonly causes neck pain, restricted cervical range of motion (ROM), and functional disability. While myofascial release (MFR) and positional release technique (PRT) are widely used, their comparative effectiveness remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of MFR versus PRT combined with conventional exercises on pain, cervical lateral flexion ROM, and neck disability in young adults with unilateral trapezitis. Thirty participants (aged 20-25 years) with unilateral trapezitis were randomly assigned to two groups (n=15 each). Group A received MFR plus conventional treatment (active neck movements, trapezius stretching), while Group B received PRT plus the same conventional treatment. Interventions were delivered 3 days/week for 20 minutes/session over 2 months. Outcomes included Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), goniometric cervical lateral flexion ROM (affected/unaffected sides), and Neck Disability Index (NDI), measured pre- and post-intervention. Both MFR and PRT effectively improved pain, ROM, and disability in unilateral trapezitis. PRT demonstrated greater short-term benefits for pain reduction and functional improvement, suggesting it as the preferred initial intervention when rapid symptomatic relief is prioritized.

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndromes

Keywords

Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Myofascial Pain Syndromes; Disability Evaluation; Range of Motion

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Neck Pain

  Pain on the affected side was measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale-11 is a widely used 11-point scale for self-reporting pain. The respondent chooses a whole number (0-10) that best reflects the intensity of their pain. The greater the number, the worse is the outcome.

  8 weeks.

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Range of motion

  8 weeks.

• Functional status

  8 weeks.

Study Arms (2)

Experimental Group 1

EXPERIMENTAL

In this group, participants received the myofascial release technique and conventional treatment, including active neck movements and trapezius stretching.

Other: Myofascial Release Technique

Experimental Group 2

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

In this group, participants received the positional release technique and conventional treatment, including active neck movements and trapezius stretching.

Other: Positional Release Technique

Interventions

Myofascial Release Technique OTHER

Myofascial release technique is a specialized manual therapy technique used to alleviate chronic pain and restore motion by releasing tension in the fascia.

Experimental Group 1

Positional Release Technique OTHER

The Positional Release Technique is a gentle manual therapy that resolves pain and tissue dysfunction by moving the body into a "position of ease" or comfort.

Experimental Group 2

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Subjects diagnosed with trapezitis with trigger point by an orthopedic surgeon,
• with unilateral upper trapezius tender point,
• taut band palpable in upper trapezius muscle,
• excruciating spot tenderness at one point along the length of the taut band of upper trapezius muscle,
• restriction in cervical lateral flexion when measured, and
• pain elevated by elongating (stretching) the trapezius muscle

You may not qualify if:

• Participants with history of cervical spine trauma or fracture,
• recent surgery on the cervical spine,
• skin condition around area to be treated,
• current use of anti-inflammatory medications,
• brachial nerve pain,
• deformities of the neck,
• sensory/perception anomalies close to the treatment area,
• radiculopathy or myopathy symptoms,
• degenerative cervical spine condition,
• with a history of cardiac illness or presence of a pacemaker,
• epilepsy,
• psychological disorder, and
• pregnant women

Sponsors & Collaborators

• King Saud University: lead
• Cooperative Institute of Health Sciences: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Co-Operative Institute of Health Sciences

Kannur, Kerala, 670105, India

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndromes

Interventions

Myofascial Release Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 31, 2026
• First Posted: April 7, 2026
• Study Start: September 5, 2023
• Primary Completion: March 14, 2024
• Study Completion: May 20, 2024
• Last Updated: August 7, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IN (1)