INSTRUMENT ASSISSTED SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION VERSUS DRY CUPPING ON UPPER TRAPEZIUS TRIGGER POINTS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Summary

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the effects of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and dry cupping in patients (both genders), aged 20-50 years, diagnosed with chronic non-specific neck pain who have active upper trapezius trigger points. The main questions it aims to answer are :

1. Is there a significant difference in the effect on pain level (measured by VAS) between the groups?
2. Is there a significant difference in the effect on cervical range of motion (CROM), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and functional disability (NDI) between the groups?

Researchers will compare three groups:

1. Group A (Control):\] Will receive a conventional physical therapy program (hot packs, TENS, and exercises).
2. Group B (Experimental):\] Will receive conventional therapy plus IASTM.
3. Group C (Experimental):\] Will receive conventional therapy plus Dry Cupping.

Participants will be asked to do the following:

1. Undergo baseline assessments (measuring pain, ROM, PPT, and disability) before treatment and final assessments after 4 weeks.
2. Attend \[3 treatment sessions per week for four weeks\].
3. At each session, all participants will receive the conventional physical therapy program , while Groups B and C will receive their additional intervention (IASTM or dry cupping).

Conditions

• Upper Trapezius Trigger Points
• Non Specific Chronic Neck Pain

Interventions

DEVICE

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

While the participant is seated, a lubricant (Vaseline) is applied to the skin. The M2T blade is used at a 45° angle to apply slow sweeping strokes along the muscle from origin to insertion (sweeping technique) over the upper trapezius for approximately three minutes.

DEVICE

Dry Cupping

While the participant is in a prone position , a single 5cm inner diameter plastic cup is applied to the skin directly over the pre-determined treatment location. The cup is secured by pumping a manual hand-pump three times. The cup is left in place for 5 minutes.

OTHER

Hot Packs

Commercially accessible hot packs (made of bentonite) are placed over the neck and the upper part of the shoulder musculature while the patient is in a prone position. The application lasts for 15-20 minutes.

DEVICE

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Applied while the patient is sitting. Electrodes are placed directly over or surrounding the trigger point and along the muscle belly. Parameters: Pulse rate 60-100Hz , Pulse width 40-250 μs. Intensity is set to a tolerable tingling sensation. Treatment duration is 20-30 minutes.

BEHAVIORAL

Exercise Program

A supervised home exercise program consisting of: Range of Motion Exercises: Cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation, and shoulder shrugs. Strengthening Exercises: Isometric cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation; scapular retractions; and chin tucks. Dosage: Performed daily for 10-15 repetitions and 2-3 sets

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• IBRAHIM H MADY, Bsc · Cairo University

• Fatma Seddik, Prof.Dr · Basic Science Department, Faculty Of Physical Therapy, Cairo University

• Ahmed Said, Dr · Basic Science Department, Faculty Of Physical Therapy, Cairo University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

50 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-12-01

Primary Completion

2026-11-30

Completion

2026-12-31