Efficacy of Activator Trigger Point and Shock Wave Therapy on Pain and Function in Active Upper Trapezius Trigger Points: A Randomized Controlled Study

May 14, 2026 updated by: Mina Magdy Wahba, Cairo University

This study will be conducted as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of trigger point activator and extracorporeal shock wave therapy in patients with active myofascial trigger points in the upper fibers of the trapezius muscle. Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be recruited and informed consent will be obtained prior to participation. The subjects will then be randomly allocated into two equal groups. Group A: will receive treatment using the trigger point activator applied to the active trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle. Group B: will receive extracorporeal shock wave therapy applied to the same region.

The treatment will be applied according to standardized therapeutic parameters for a predetermined number of sessions over the study period. Outcome measures will be assessed before the beginning of the treatment program and after completion of the intervention period. Pain intensity and pressure pain threshold will be assessed using an algometer. Functional disability related to the neck will be evaluated using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). All collected data will be recorded and statistically analyzed to determine the effectiveness of both treatment modalities in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study will be conducted as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of trigger point activator and extracorporeal shock wave therapy in patients with active myofascial trigger points in the upper fibers of the trapezius muscle. Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be recruited and informed consent will be obtained prior to participation. The subjects will then be randomly allocated into two equal groups. Group A: will receive treatment using the trigger point activator applied to the active trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle. Group B: will receive extracorporeal shock wave therapy applied to the same region.

The treatment will be applied according to standardized therapeutic parameters for a predetermined number of sessions over the study period. Outcome measures will be assessed before the beginning of the treatment program and after completion of the intervention period. Pain intensity and pressure pain threshold will be assessed using an algometer. Functional disability related to the neck will be evaluated using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). All collected data will be recorded and statistically analyzed to determine the effectiveness of both treatment modalities in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes. 15. Participants of the study:

  1. The number of participants: 200 (50 per group to ensure 40 completers per arm after attrition).

  2. Important characteristics

    • Adult (27:40 years):
    • Gender: both gender

    • Diagnosis: Active upper trapezius trigger points Inclusion criteria

      1. Male or female participants aged between 25 and 40 years.
      2. Body Mass Index (BMI) between 20 and 30 kg/m².
      3. Presence of active myofascial trigger points in the upper fibers of the trapezius muscle confirmed by clinical examination.
      4. Complaints of neck pain associated with upper trapezius trigger points.
      5. Ability and willingness to participate in the treatment sessions and follow the study protocol.

Exclusion criteria:

  1. History of neck trauma, cervical spine fracture, or cervical spine surgery.
  2. Presence of neurological disorders affecting the cervical region.
  3. Presence of cervical disc prolapse or severe cervical spine pathology.
  4. Diagnosis of fibromyalgia or systemic musculoskeletal disorders.
  5. Presence of skin diseases, wounds, or infections at the treatment area.
  6. Patients with malignancy or severe systemic diseases.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

100

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 1. Male or female participants aged between 25 and 40 years. 2. Body Mass Index (BMI) between 20 and 30 kg/m². 3.Presence of active myofascial trigger points in the upper fibers of the trapezius muscle confirmed by clinical examination.

    • Complaints of neck pain associated with upper trapezius trigger points. 5. Ability and willingness to participate in the treatment sessions and follow the study protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • 1. History of neck trauma, cervical spine fracture, or cervical spine surgery. 2. Presence of neurological disorders affecting the cervical region. 3. Presence of cervical disc prolapse or severe cervical spine pathology. 4. Diagnosis of fibromyalgia or systemic musculoskeletal disorders. 5. Presence of skin diseases, wounds, or infections at the treatment area. 6. Patients with malignancy or severe systemic diseases.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: treatment
receive treatment using the trigger point activator applied to the active trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle.
Device: Activator
will receive treatment using the trigger point activator applied to the active trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle.
Active Comparator: Shockwave
will receive extracorporeal shock wave therapy applied to the same region. The treatment will be applied according to standardized therapeutic parameters for a predetermined number of sessions over the study period.
Device: Shockwave
will receive extracorporeal shock wave therapy applied to the same region. 12. The treatment will be applied according to standardized therapeutic parameters for a predetermined number of sessions over the study period.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Questionnaire assessing neck function valid and reilable
6 weeks
VAS
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Pain score
6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Cairo University

Collaborators

Suez University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

July 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

November 12, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 7, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 14, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

May 18, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 18, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 14, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • SuezU1

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

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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