Comparative Effect of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization and Deep Transverse Friction Massage in Patients With Trapezius Myalgia

NCT07820293 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: IIUI/RERC/ADT/2026/02/256
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 42
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial compares the effectiveness of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and Deep Transverse Friction Massage (DTFM) in patients with trapezius myalgia. A total of 42 participants aged 18-45 years will be randomly assigned to either intervention group. Both groups will also receive conventional physiotherapy consisting of TENS, hot packs, range-of-motion exercises, and stretching. Treatment will be provided four sessions per week for four weeks. Outcomes include pain intensity, cervical range of motion, muscle strength, and functional disability.

Conditions

Trapezius Myalgia

Keywords

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization; Deep Transverse Friction; Trapezius Myalgia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Bubble Inclinometer

  Cervical range of motion measured using a Bubble Inclinometer.

  Baseline and after four weeks of treatment.

• Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS).

  Pain intensity measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS).

  Baseline and after four weeks of treatment.

• Neck Disability Index (NDI).

  Functional disability assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI).

  Baseline and after four weeks of treatment

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Hand-Held Dynamometer.

  Baseline and after four weeks of treatment.

Study Arms (2)

Deep Transverse Friction Massage (DTFM)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive Deep Transverse Friction Massage over the upper trapezius muscle along with conventional physiotherapy, including TENS, hot packs, stretching, and active range-of-motion exercises. The intervention aims to reduce pain, improve tissue mobility, increase cervical range of motion, enhance muscle strength, and improve functional ability

Other: Deep Transverse Friction Massage (DTFM)

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization using stainless-steel instruments together with the same conventional physiotherapy protocol. The intervention aims to reduce soft tissue restrictions, improve circulation, decrease pain, enhance cervical mobility, increase muscle strength, and improve functional outcomes.

Other: Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)

Interventions

Deep Transverse Friction Massage (DTFM) OTHER

Participants will receive Deep Transverse Friction Massage over the upper trapezius muscle along with conventional physiotherapy, including TENS, hot packs, stretching, and active range-of-motion exercises. The intervention aims to reduce pain, improve tissue mobility, increase cervical range of motion, enhance muscle strength, and improve functional ability.

Deep Transverse Friction Massage (DTFM)

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) OTHER

Participants will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization using stainless-steel instruments together with the same conventional physiotherapy protocol. The intervention aims to reduce soft tissue restrictions, improve circulation, decrease pain, enhance cervical mobility, increase muscle strength, and improve functional outcomes

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male and female participants aged 18-45 years. Clinical diagnosis of trapezius myalgia with neck pain lasting more than two weeks.
• Tenderness over the upper trapezius muscle. NPRS pain score greater than 4. Cervical flexion less than 60° and extension less than 50°. Able to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Congenital or structural musculoskeletal deformities (e.g., torticollis, scoliosis, cervical rib).
• Open wounds, skin infections, or dermatological conditions over the treatment area.
• Cervical spine or upper limb surgery within the previous 12 months. Cervical radiculopathy, cervical spondylosis, herniated disc, or whiplash injury.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ibadat International University, Islamabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ibadat International University, Islamabad (Iiui)

Islamabad, 46000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

Central Study Contacts

Hafsah Arshad, PhD*

CONTACT

03315165234; hafsaharshad12@gmail.com

Naheed Akhtar, Masters

CONTACT

hibaraja078@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The study will be conducted as a single-blinded randomized controlled trial. The outcome assessor responsible for measuring and recording the study outcomes will be blinded to the participants' group allocation. The assessor will not be involved in the intervention and will be instructed not to discuss the treatment received by participants.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Allocation: Randomized Masking: Single-Blind (Outcome Assessor)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 9, 2026
• First Posted: September 15, 2026
• Study Start: March 7, 2026
• Primary Completion: September 28, 2026
• Study Completion: September 30, 2026
• Last Updated: September 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)