Longitudinal Stripping Massage vs. Percussion Device for Neck Pain: Ultrasound Study.

June 14, 2026 updated by: Dawid Łochyński, Poznan University of Physical Education

The Effect of Percussion Therapy on Neck Functional Disability, Pain and Upper Trapezius Muscle Properties Assessed by Elastography and Doppler Ultrasound in Patients With Neck Pain.

This study evaluates whether a single session of percussion therapy can reduce muscle tension and increase blood flow in the transverse cervical artery in individuals with neck pain. The investigators will evaluate muscle stiffness using ultrasound elastography, and assess blood flow in the transverse cervical artery via Doppler imaging before and after treatment. The primary objective is to determine how this therapy affects neck muscle relaxation and vascular responses, specifically within the upper trapezius region.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

35

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 Locations

  • Poland
      • Poznan, Poland, 61-871
        • Recruiting
        • Poznań University of Physical Education
        • Contact:

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:

  • Age: 18-60 years
  • Neck pain persisting for at least 3 months
  • Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score between 3 and 7
  • Neck Disability Index (NDI) between 30% and 48%

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnancy and postpartum period
  • History of cervical spine or shoulder surgery
  • Diagnosed fibromyalgia, radiculopathy, or myelopathy
  • Myofascial therapy within the last 3 months
  • Use of analgesic medication within 48 hours before assessment
  • Venous 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: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Percussion Therapy Arm
Subjects receiving percussion therapy using a massage device. Theragun device applied to dominant side of upper trapezius muscle. Session duration: 3 minutes.
Device: Percussion Therapy
Theragun device applied to dominant side of upper trapezius muscle. Session duration: 3 minutes.
Experimental: Longitudinal Stripping Massage Arm
Subjects receiving manual longitudinal stripping massage. Longitudinal stripping massage of dominant side of upper trapezius muscle. Session duration: 3 minutes.
Other: Longitudinal stripping masage
Longitudinal stripping massage of dominant side of upper trapezius muscle. Session duration: 3 minutes.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Neck pain intensity on Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Time Frame: Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Neck pain intensity evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale slide scale (score range 0-10, where 0 = no pain and 10 = worst imaginable pain). The patient marks their pain level using the slider, and the result is recorded as a numerical score. Unit of Measure: points
Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Neck pain-related disability on Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Time Frame: Baseline, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Neck pain-related disability measured with the Neck Disability Index (score range 0-50 points, where higher scores indicate greater disability). Unit of Measure: points
Baseline, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Shear-wave elastography of upper trapezius muscle: mean stiffness
Time Frame: Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Ultrasound shear-wave elastography of the upper trapezius muscle at the midpoint (foramen magnum-acromion line) to evaluate the mean stiffness value. Measurements performed supine with head stabilized, arms alongside body, cervical spine neutral. Probe placed at the midpoint of the trapezius. Ultrasound gel applied for optimal contact. The measurement is performed 3 times and the average value is used; repeated if discrepancies. Same researcher throughout. Unit of Measure: kilopascals (kPa)
Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Myotonometry of upper trapezius muscle: oscillation frequency
Time Frame: Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Assessment of myofascial tissue tone (oscillation frequency) of the upper trapezius at the midpoint (foramen magnum-acromion line) using MyotonPRO device. Measurements performed supine with head stabilized, arms alongside body, cervical spine neutral. Probe placed perpendicular to the muscle surface at the midpoint of the trapezius. Same researcher throughout. Unit of Measure: hertz (Hz)
Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Myotonometry of upper trapezius muscle: dynamic stiffness
Time Frame: Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Assessment of biomechanical properties (dynamic stiffness) of the upper trapezius at the midpoint (foramen magnum-acromion line) using MyotonPRO device. Measurements performed supine with head stabilized, arms alongside body, cervical spine neutral. Probe placed perpendicular to the muscle surface at the midpoint of the trapezius. Same researcher throughout. Unit of Measure: newtons per meter (N/m)
Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Myotonometry of upper trapezius muscle: decrement
Time Frame: Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Assessment of viscoelastic properties (logarithmic decrement of oscillation, reflecting elasticity) of the upper trapezius at the midpoint (foramen magnum-acromion line) using MyotonPRO device. Measurements performed supine with head stabilized, arms alongside body, cervical spine neutral. Probe placed perpendicular to the muscle surface at the midpoint of the trapezius. Same researcher throughout. Unit of Measure: dimensionless
Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Active cervical range of motion: flexion
Time Frame: Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Active cervical range of motion (flexion) measured using EasyAngle goniometer mounted on the patient's head with an elastic band. The patient is seated upright with feet flat on the floor, head in neutral position. The movement is performed 3 times from neutral (goniometer recalibrated to 0° between trials) and the mean value is recorded. All measurements performed by the same researcher. Unit of Measure: degrees
Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Active cervical range of motion: extension
Time Frame: Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)

Active cervical range of motion (extension) measured using EasyAngle goniometer mounted on the patient's head with an elastic band. The patient is seated upright with feet flat on the floor, head in neutral position. The movement is performed 3 times from neutral (goniometer recalibrated to 0° between trials) and the mean value is recorded. All measurements performed by the same researcher.

Unit of Measure: degrees
Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Active cervical range of motion: right lateral flexion
Time Frame: Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Active cervical range of motion (right lateral flexion) measured using EasyAngle goniometer mounted on the patient's head with an elastic band. The patient is seated upright with feet flat on the floor, head in neutral position. The movement is performed 3 times from neutral (goniometer recalibrated to 0° between trials) and the mean value is recorded. All measurements performed by the same researcher. Unit of Measure: degrees
Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Active cervical range of motion: left lateral flexion
Time Frame: Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Active cervical range of motion (left lateral flexion) measured using EasyAngle goniometer mounted on the patient's head with an elastic band. The patient is seated upright with feet flat on the floor, head in neutral position. The movement is performed 3 times from neutral (goniometer recalibrated to 0° between trials) and the mean value is recorded. All measurements performed by the same researcher. Unit of Measure: degrees
Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Active cervical range of motion: right rotation
Time Frame: Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Active cervical range of motion (right rotation) measured using EasyAngle goniometer mounted on the patient's head with an elastic band. The patient is seated upright with feet flat on the floor, head in neutral position. The movement is performed 3 times from neutral (goniometer recalibrated to 0° between trials) and the mean value is recorded. All measurements performed by the same researcher. Unit of Measure: degrees
Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Active cervical range of motion: left rotation
Time Frame: Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Active cervical range of motion (left rotation) measured using EasyAngle goniometer mounted on the patient's head with an elastic band. The patient is seated upright with feet flat on the floor, head in neutral position. The movement is performed 3 times from neutral (goniometer recalibrated to 0° between trials) and the mean value is recorded. All measurements performed by the same researcher. Unit of Measure: degrees
Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Peak systolic velocity (Vs) of the transverse cervical artery.
Time Frame: Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)

Doppler ultrasound of the transverse cervical artery to evaluate Vs. Measurements performed supine with head stabilized, arms alongside body, cervical spine neutral. Probe positioned over the transverse cervical artery. Ultrasound gel applied for optimal contact. The measurement is performed 3 times and the mean value is used; repeated if discrepancies. Same researcher throughout.

Unit of Measure: millimeters per second (mm/s)
Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
End-diastolic velocity (Vd) of the transverse cervical artery.
Time Frame: Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)

Doppler ultrasound of the transverse cervical artery to evaluate Vd. Measurements performed supine with head stabilized, arms alongside body, cervical spine neutral. Probe positioned over the transverse cervical artery. Ultrasound gel applied for optimal contact. The measurement is performed 3 times and the mean value is used; repeated if discrepancies. Same researcher throughout.

• Unit of Measure: millimeters per second (mm/s)
Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)
Resistive index (RI) of the transverse cervical artery.
Time Frame: Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)

Doppler ultrasound of the transverse cervical artery to evaluate RI. Measurements performed supine with head stabilized, arms alongside body, cervical spine neutral. Probe positioned over the transverse cervical artery. Ultrasound gel applied for optimal contact. The measurement is performed 3 times and the mean value is used; repeated if discrepancies. Same researcher throughout.

• Unit of Measure: dimensionless (lub ratio / score)
Baseline, 20 minutes post-therapy, 2 days post-therapy (follow-up), immediately before next therapy session, 20 minutes post-second therapy, and 2 days post-second therapy (final follow-up)

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Poznan University of Physical Education

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)

June 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2029

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 1, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 1, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 5, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 17, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 14, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 667/21

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data will not be shared to protect patient privacy and confidentiality in accordance with GDPR regulations and local bioethics committee guidelines.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

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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