Myofascial Release and Positional Release Techniques in Unilateral Trapezitis

Effectiveness of Myofascial Release and Positional Release Techniques on Pain, Cervical Range of Motion, and Neck Disability in Patients With Unilateral Trapezitis

Unilateral trapezitis is characterized by upper trapezius myofascial pain and trigger points and commonly causes neck pain, restricted cervical range of motion (ROM), and functional disability. While myofascial release (MFR) and positional release technique (PRT) are widely used, their comparative effectiveness remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of MFR versus PRT combined with conventional exercises on pain, cervical lateral flexion ROM, and neck disability in young adults with unilateral trapezitis. Thirty participants (aged 20-25 years) with unilateral trapezitis were randomly assigned to two groups (n=15 each). Group A received MFR plus conventional treatment (active neck movements, trapezius stretching), while Group B received PRT plus the same conventional treatment. Interventions were delivered 3 days/week for 20 minutes/session over 2 months. Outcomes included Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), goniometric cervical lateral flexion ROM (affected/unaffected sides), and Neck Disability Index (NDI), measured pre- and post-intervention. Both MFR and PRT effectively improved pain, ROM, and disability in unilateral trapezitis. PRT demonstrated greater short-term benefits for pain reduction and functional improvement, suggesting it as the preferred initial intervention when rapid symptomatic relief is prioritized.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Myofascial Pain Syndromes
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Myofascial Release Technique; Other: Positional Release Technique

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• India
  • Kerala
    • Kannur, Kerala, India, 670105
      • Co-Operative Institute of Health Sciences

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects diagnosed with trapezitis with trigger point by an orthopedic surgeon,
• with unilateral upper trapezius tender point,
• taut band palpable in upper trapezius muscle,
• excruciating spot tenderness at one point along the length of the taut band of upper trapezius muscle,
• restriction in cervical lateral flexion when measured, and
• pain elevated by elongating (stretching) the trapezius muscle

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants with history of cervical spine trauma or fracture,
• recent surgery on the cervical spine,
• skin condition around area to be treated,
• current use of anti-inflammatory medications,
• brachial nerve pain,
• deformities of the neck,
• sensory/perception anomalies close to the treatment area,
• radiculopathy or myopathy symptoms,
• degenerative cervical spine condition,
• with a history of cardiac illness or presence of a pacemaker,
• epilepsy,
• psychological disorder, and
• pregnant women

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Experimental Group 1; In this group, participants received the myofascial release technique and conventional treatment, including active neck movements and trapezius stretching.	Other: Myofascial Release Technique; Myofascial release technique is a specialized manual therapy technique used to alleviate chronic pain and restore motion by releasing tension in the fascia.
Active Comparator: Experimental Group 2; In this group, participants received the positional release technique and conventional treatment, including active neck movements and trapezius stretching.	Other: Positional Release Technique; The Positional Release Technique is a gentle manual therapy that resolves pain and tissue dysfunction by moving the body into a "position of ease" or comfort.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Neck Pain	Pain on the affected side was measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale-11 is a widely used 11-point scale for self-reporting pain. The respondent chooses a whole number (0-10) that best reflects the intensity of their pain. The greater the number, the worse is the outcome.	8 weeks.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Range of motion	Neck lateral flexion range of motion is the measurement of how far subjects can tilt their head toward the shoulder while looking straight ahead. The greater the range of motion, the better is the outcome.	8 weeks.
Functional status	Functional status was measured using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). It includes 10 items related to pain and functional limitations. A higher score indicates worse outcome.	8 weeks.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: King Saud University
• Collaborators: Co-Operative Institute of Health Sciences

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 5, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 14, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): May 20, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 31, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 31, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 7, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 7, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 31, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Myofascial Pain Syndromes; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Disability Evaluation; Range of Motion
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Musculoskeletal Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Myofascial Pain Syndromes; Therapeutics; Complementary Therapies; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation; Therapy, Soft Tissue; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Massage; Myofascial Release Therapy
• Other Study ID Numbers: 36.8 MSK/CR/NEU/MPT/CIHS/2023

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No