Massage Gun vs Deep Friction Massage for Upper Trapezius Trigger Points

June 26, 2026 updated by: Ibadat International University, Islamabad

Effectiveness Of Massage Gun Therapy Versus Deep Friction Massage On Upper Trapezius Trigger Points

This study compares the effectiveness of Massage Gun Therapy and Deep Friction Massage in individuals with upper trapezius myofascial trigger points. The interventions will be evaluated for their effects on pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, cervical range of motion, and neck disability. The aim is to determine which treatment is more effective in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

46

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 Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
      • Islamabad, Pakistan
        • Recruiting
        • Gulf Care Hospital, River gardens

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: Presence of active trigger points in the upper trapezius (confirmed by palpation, referred pain pattern, and pain reproduction)(travell and simson's method).

Moderate to severe pain (VAS>4/10). No prior treatment for neck/shoulder pain in past 4 weeks. Age 24-45 years (young adults according to WHO classification) Both genders Exclusion Criteria:History of cervical spine surgery or severe musculoskeletal pathology.

Neurological deficits. Systemic disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia). Recent trauma or fractures in the neck/shoulder region. Current pregnancy.

-

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
Active Comparator: Massage Gun Therapy group
Participants in this group will receive Massage Gun Therapy applied to the upper trapezius myofascial trigger point according to a standardized treatment protocol. The intervention aims to reduce pain, decrease muscle tension, and improve cervical function.
Other: Massage Gun Therapy
Massage Gun Therapy will be applied to the upper trapezius myofascial trigger point using a handheld percussive massage device. Participants will receive treatment for 5 minutes per session, three sessions per week for 2 weeks. The intervention aims to reduce pain, decrease muscle tension, improve pressure pain threshold, and enhance cervical range of motion and functional ability.
Sham Comparator: Deep Friction Massage Group
Participants in this group will receive Deep Friction Massage applied to the upper trapezius myofascial trigger point according to a standardized treatment protocol. The intervention aims to reduce pain, improve tissue mobility, and enhance cervical function.
Other: Deep Friction Massage Group
Deep Friction Massage will be applied manually over the upper trapezius myofascial trigger point using transverse friction techniques. Each session will last 5 minutes and will be administered three times per week for 2 weeks. The intervention aims to reduce pain, decrease muscle tightness, improve pressure pain threshold, increase cervical range of motion, and enhance functional ability.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Numaric Pain Rating scale(NPRS)
Time Frame: Baseline and post-intervention( From enrollment of first week and then to the end of 2 weeks)
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS): Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, an 11-point self-reported scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "worst imaginable pain." Participants will rate their current level of pain, with higher scores indicating greater pain intensity.
Baseline and post-intervention( From enrollment of first week and then to the end of 2 weeks)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Time Frame: Cervical ROM (Inclinometer): Baseline and after 2 weeks of intervention. Neck Disability Index(NDI):Baseline and after 2 weeks of intervention.
Cervical ROM (Inclinometer): Cervical range of motion will be measured using an inclinometer to assess neck movements including flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation. Higher values indicate greater cervical mobility and improved neck function. Neck Disability Index(NDI):The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a self-reported questionnaire used to assess neck-related functional disability. Scores range from 0 to 50, with higher scores indicating greater disability.
Cervical ROM (Inclinometer): Baseline and after 2 weeks of intervention. Neck Disability Index(NDI):Baseline and after 2 weeks of intervention.
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Time Frame: Baseline and after 2 weeks of intervention.
The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a self-reported questionnaire used to assess neck-related functional disability. Scores range from 0 to 50, with higher scores indicating greater disability.
Baseline and after 2 weeks of intervention.

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Ibadat International University, Islamabad

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: MUHAMMAD ASHAR RAFI, DPT, MS-NMPT, Ibadat International University, Islamabad

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 (Actual)

January 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

September 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 26, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 26, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 2, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 2, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 26, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • IIUI/RERC/ADT/2026/01/216

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.

Clinical Trials on Myofacial Trigger Points of Upper Trapezius

Clinical Trials on Massage Gun Therapy

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Israel

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe