Comparative Effects of Soft Tissue Mobilization and Pressure Therapy With and Without Dynamic Cupping on on Pain and Disability in Patients With Thoracic Back Pain.

NCT07892066 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: RE-166-2026
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 64
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to compare the sequential effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and Transverse Oscillatory Pressure (TOP), with and without Directional Dynamic Cupping, in patients with thoracic back pain. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of these treatment approaches in reducing pain, improving functional ability, and minimizing disability during daily activities.

Conditions

Back Pain

Keywords

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization; Manual therapy; Functional disability; Directional dynamic cupping; Transverse oscillatory pressure

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Numerical Pain Rating Scale

  The 11-point numeric with 0 representing No pain, 1-3 representing Mild Pain (nagging, annoying, interfering little with ADLs), 4-6 representing Moderate Pains (interferes significantly with ADLs), 7-10 representing Sever Pain (disabling, unable to perform ADLs).

  Baseline , after 2 weeks and 4 weeks post treatment

• FUNCTION RATING INDEX

  The Functional Rating Index (FRI) consists of 10 items: pain intensity, pain frequency, sleep, personal care, travel, work, leisure activities, lifting, walking, and standing. Two items assess pain characteristics, while eight assess spinal functional limitations in daily activities. Each item is scored from 0 (no pain/full function) to 4 (maximum pain/total disability), with higher scores indicating greater disability.

  Baseline , after 2 weeks and 4 weeks post treatment

• BUBBLE INCLINOMETER

  Lumbar range of motion (ROM) will be measured in standing using bubble inclinometers, with S1 and T12 as reference points for flexion and extension, and T12 for lateral flexion. Two inclinometers will assess forward flexion, while one will assess extension and lateral flexion; actual flexion and extension ROM will be calculated by subtracting the lower inclinometer reading from the upper reading.

  Baseline , after 2 weeks and 4 weeks post treatment

Study Arms (2)

Instrument assisted soft tissue (IASTM), Transvers oscillatory pressure (TOP)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Other: Instrument assisted soft tissue (IASTM), Transvers oscillatory pressure (TOP)

Instrument assisted soft tissue, Transvers oscillatory pressure and Directional dynamic cupping

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Instrument assisted soft tissue (IASTM), Transvers oscillatory pressure (TOP) and Directional dynamic cupping

Interventions

Instrument assisted soft tissue (IASTM), Transvers oscillatory pressure (TOP) OTHER

Participants will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and Transverse Oscillatory Pressure (TOP) in sitting or prone positions, combined with alternating 10-second resisted isometric trunk flexion-extension contractions. Conventional therapy includes a hot pack for 10 minutes and muscle stretching (10 repetitions, 30-second hold each).

Instrument assisted soft tissue (IASTM), Transvers oscillatory pressure (TOP)

Instrument assisted soft tissue (IASTM), Transvers oscillatory pressure (TOP) and Directional dynamic cupping OTHER

Participants will receive a moist hot pack over the thoracic region for 10-15 minutes, followed by IASTM using the Graston tool for 5-8 minutes. Transverse Oscillatory Pressure (TOP) will be applied for 3-5 minutes per affected segment, according to patient tolerance. Directional Dynamic Cupping will then be performed over the thoracic paraspinal muscles for 5-10 minutes with controlled suction and gliding movements.

Instrument assisted soft tissue, Transvers oscillatory pressure and Directional dynamic cupping

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 25 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Non-specific chronic thoracic back pain patients aged between 25 to 45 Both genders. Mild to moderate thoracic back pain with NPRS pain score value of between 3/10 6/10. Pain from at least past three months (12 weeks). Pain localized to thoracic region T1-T12, no radiating pain Willing to provide informed consent and attend all sessions

You may not qualify if:

• Pathological conditions or diagnosed with disk herniation, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and spondylitis and other medical illnesses such as tumor, lungs disease, and visceral disease or any other red flag condition Referred pain: cervical/lumbar radiculopathy History of cardio-respiratory disease, thoracic surgery, or ribs fracture fixation surgery \<6 months Bleeding disorder/anticoagulant use, skin infection, hypersensitivity at treatment area Pregnancy, BMI \>35.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Management and Technology Lahore: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Management & Technology

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

Location

Related Links

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MeSH Terms

Conditions

Back Pain

Interventions

Abortion, Induced

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Obstetric Surgical Procedures; Surgical Procedures, Operative

Study Design

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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 17, 2026
• First Posted: October 23, 2026
• Study Start: October 20, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: October 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF
• Time Frame: Six months after the publication of the manuscript.
• Access Criteria: Data can be requested from the corresponding author.

Locations

PA (1)