To Compare the Efficacy of Instrument Assisted STM vs BT in Alleviating Pain and Tightness of Trapezius Muscle

NCT ID: NCT07037147

Last Updated: 2025-06-25

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 26 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-03-04
• Study Completion Date: 2025-09-30

Brief Summary

Trapezius muscle pain and tightness are common musculoskeletal issues that can significantly impair movement and quality of life. Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and Bowen Therapy are gaining attention as non-invasive treatments for myofascial pain and tension.

Detailed Description

It will be single blinded randomized clinical trial (RCT). The study will be conducted on 26 participants which will be categorized into two groups. Group one will be given IASTM and group two will receive Bowen technique. Non-probability convenience sampling technique will be used for data collection at physiotherapy department at Fatima memorial hospital followed by lottery method of allocation of groups. Data will be collected by using visual analogue scale, goniometer and neck disability index.

Conditions

Trapezius Muscle Strain

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

instrument assistance soft tissue mobilisation

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

instrument assistance soft tissue mobilisation

Intervention Type: COMBINATION_PRODUCT

In this group instrument assistance soft tissue mobilisation will be given followed by conventional therapy. IASTM will be given by using IASTM tool M2T blade. In this process patient will be asked to sit in a chair by resting its forearm in front of the table.

Bowen technique

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Bowen technique

Intervention Type: COMBINATION_PRODUCT

In this group Bowen technique will be given after the basic conventional therapy. For this technique patient will be asked to lie in a prone position where the neck of the patient will be supported with the help of a small pillow. Therapist thumb will be placed on the affected side of the muscle.

Interventions

instrument assistance soft tissue mobilisation

In this group instrument assistance soft tissue mobilisation will be given followed by conventional therapy. IASTM will be given by using IASTM tool M2T blade. In this process patient will be asked to sit in a chair by resting its forearm in front of the table.

Intervention Type: COMBINATION_PRODUCT

Bowen technique

In this group Bowen technique will be given after the basic conventional therapy. For this technique patient will be asked to lie in a prone position where the neck of the patient will be supported with the help of a small pillow. Therapist thumb will be placed on the affected side of the muscle.

Intervention Type: COMBINATION_PRODUCT

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Age from 18 to 50 years
• Both gender
• Bilateral trapezius muscle tightness assessed by palpation.
• Subject with the presence of myofacial trigger points in upper trapezius muscle assessed on palpation.
• Patient with symptoms for the past two weeks.
• People with pain of neck due to tight muscle more than 3 on VAS.

Exclusion Criteria

• Participant with any fracture of cervical spine or surgery within the 6 month timespan.
• Participant with radiating neck pain towards the upper extremity.
• People with other conditions like disc prolapse, spondylolisthesis, tb of spine etc.
• People with any instrument assistance soft tissue mobilisation technique contraindication.
• People with whiplash injury history.
• Participant who has been diagnosed with myopathy or fibromyalgia.
• Pregnant females who has already gone under myofacial therapy within the past month.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 50 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Superior University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Muhammad Naveed Babur

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Fatima Memorial Hospital

Lahore, , Pakistan

Countries

Pakistan

Other Identifiers

DPT/Batch-Fall20/1007

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id