Comparative Effects of Bowen Therapy and Myofascial Release Technique on Upper Trapezius Tightness in Patients With Non-specific Neck Pain

NCT07785219 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: TUF/IRB/90/2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 32
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The randomized clinical trial was involved 32 participants with upper trapezius tightness in patients with non-specific neck pain. A randomized clinical trial was conducted at the Out Patient Department (OPD) of Madinah Teaching Hospital Faisalabad, Aziz Fatimah Hospital, Faisalabad and In motion physiotherapy rehab clinic, Faisalabad. Simple random sampling technique was used. Sample size was 32 calculated by statistical software (Open Epi Tool). Participants was divided into 2 groups using random number generator method. Bowen therapy was given to group A (n=16) while myofascial release technique was given to group B (n=16).Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Universal goniometer and Neck Disability Index (NDI) was used to quantify pain, cervical range of motion and functional disability respectively.

Conditions

Non Specific Neck Pain

Keywords

Non-specific neck pain; upper trapezius; bowen therapy; myofascial release technique

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Non-specific neck pain

  The NPRS is a simple, 1-question tool used to measure a person's pain intensity. 0 to 100 = "No pain at all" 10 = "Worst pain imaginable".You can ask it for "pain at rest", "pain with activity", or "average pain over the last 24 hours" depending on what you need.

  At baseline ,At end of 2nd week,At end of 4th week

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Cervical Range of Motion Functional disability

  At baseline ,At end of 2nd week ,At end of 4th week

Study Arms (2)

Group A ( Bowen therapy )

EXPERIMENTAL

Treatment session for 15-20 min . 2-3 repetitions of movements Movements was repeated after 2 min rest interval.

Other: Group A ( Bowen therapy)

Group B ( Myofascial Release Technique )

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Patients was seated on stools while the therapist stood behind them. The base of neck or the upper scapular region was approached medially as pressure is applied using the forearm or the ulnar side of palm. The patient was instructed to maintain an upright posture while leaning sideways and turning their head in opposite direction throughout this gliding motion. 3-4 times this gliding technique was used .

Other: Group B ( Myofascial release therapy )

Interventions

Group A ( Bowen therapy) OTHER

Both groups was received baseline treatment as: Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation(TENS) (a high frequency,100 Hz pulse length, 60 seconds, 10 minutes ) and moist hot pack (10 min) was given as a baseline treatment. Treatment session for 15-20 min that includes different body movements .2-3 repetitions of movements .Movements was repeated after 2 min rest interval.

Group A ( Bowen therapy )

Group B ( Myofascial release therapy ) OTHER

Both groups was received baseline treatment as: Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation(TENS) (a high frequency,100 Hz pulse length, 60 seconds, 10 minutes ) and moist hot pack (10 min) was given as a baseline treatment Patients was seated on stools while the therapist stood behind them.The base of neck or the upper scapular region was approached medially as pressure is applied using the forearm or the ulnar side of palm. The patient was instructed to maintain an upright posture while leaning sideways and turning their head in opposite direction throughout this gliding motion. 3-4 times this gliding technique was used .

Group B ( Myofascial Release Technique )

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Patient aged between 20-35 years was included. Patients of both sexes(male-female) included . Patients with non-specific neck pain along with upper trapezius tightness which will be screened by upper trapezius length test.
• Patients with duration of neck pain from last one month included . According to Numeric Pain Rating Scale, those patients included whose pain intensity lie between moderate-severe range.
• Patients was be willing to give consent to participate.

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosed case of disc prolapse. Diagnosed spondylolisthesis case. Neck pain radiating into arms, upper extremity or any neurological impairment. Any diagnosed psychiatric condition. Any infection, wound or injury on neck or shoulder region. Any skin allergy or disease . History of recent trauma or surgery in neck/upper back area

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Faisalabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

OPD of Madinah Teaching Hospital, Aziz Fatimah Hospital and In motion physiotherapy rehab clinic, Faisalabad.

Faisalābad, Punjab Province, 38000, Pakistan

Location

Related Publications (7)

• Lee K, Lewis GN. Short term relief of multisite chronicpain with Bowen Therapy: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2020 Oct;24(4):271-279. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.06.025. Epub 2020 Jul 30.

  PMID: 33218522 BACKGROUND

• Kazeminasab S, Nejadghaderi SA, Amiri P, Pourfathi H, Araj-Khodaei M, Sullman MJM, Kolahi AA, Safiri S. Neck pain: global epidemiology, trends and risk factors. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022 Jan 3;23(1):26. doi: 10.1186/s12891-021-04957-4.

  PMID: 34980079 BACKGROUND

• Hoy DG, Protani M, De R, Buchbinder R. The epidemiology of neck pain. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2010 Dec;24(6):783-92. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2011.01.019.

  PMID: 21665126 BACKGROUND

• Hidalgo B, Hall T, Bossert J, Dugeny A, Cagnie B, Pitance L. The efficacy of manual therapy and exercise for treating non-specific neck pain: A systematic review. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2017 Nov 6;30(6):1149-1169. doi: 10.3233/BMR-169615.

  PMID: 28826164 BACKGROUND

• Brandt M, Sundstrup E, Jakobsen MD, Jay K, Colado JC, Wang Y, Zebis MK, Andersen LL. Association between Neck/Shoulder Pain and Trapezius Muscle Tenderness in Office Workers. Pain Res Treat. 2014;2014:352735. doi: 10.1155/2014/352735. Epub 2014 Mar 27.

  PMID: 24800070 BACKGROUND

• Batool K, Mehmood M, Jafar M, Gull M. Comparative efficacy of muscle energy technique and Bowen technique on hamstrings muscle tightness in chronic low back pain patients. Pak J Med Sci. 2024 Oct;40(9):2080-2084. doi: 10.12669/pjms.40.9.8517.

  PMID: 39416609 BACKGROUND

• Amjad F, Khalid A. Comparative effects of Bowen therapy and tennis ball technique on pain and functional disability in patients with thoracic myofascial pain syndrome. J Orthop Surg Res. 2023 Nov 24;18(1):895. doi: 10.1186/s13018-023-04379-z.

  PMID: 37996838 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Myofascial Release Therapy

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Dr Maryam Safdar

  The University of Faisalabad

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: This is a single blinded study in which participant were unaware of their group allocation. Both Group receive identical - appearing treatments. Allocation was concealed from participants but investigator and data analyzer known.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: A randomized clinical trial was conducted at the Out Patient Department (OPD) of Madinah Teaching Hospital Faisalabad, Aziz Fatimah Hospital, Faisalabad and In motion physiotherapy rehab clinic, Faisalabad. Simple random sampling technique was used. Sample size was 32 calculated by statistical software (Open Epi Tool). 20-35 years aged participants both male and female with non-specific neck pain along with trapezius tightness was included. Participants with neurological symptoms was excluded. Participants was divided into 2 groups using random number generator method. Bowen therapy was given to group A (n=16) while myofascial release technique was given to group B (n=16).Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Universal goniometer and Neck Disability Index (NDI) was used to quantify pain, cervical range of motion and functional disability respectively. IBM SPSS version 20 was used for statistically analysis of data.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 20, 2026
• First Posted: August 25, 2026
• Study Start: April 22, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 15, 2025
• Study Completion: December 15, 2025
• Last Updated: August 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)