Dry Dynamic Cupping vs Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization for Chronic Myofascial Low Back Pain

June 29, 2026 updated by: Ibadat International University, Islamabad

Comparative Effects of Dry Dynamic Cupping and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in Patients With Chronic Myofascial Low Back Pain

This study aims to compare the effects of Dry Dynamic Cupping and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in patients with chronic myofascial low back pain. The interventions will be evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing pain, improving functional disability, and enhancing quality of life. The findings may help identify a more effective treatment approach for managing chronic myofascial low back pain.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

48

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
    • Punjab Province
      • Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 46000
        • Recruiting
        • Mediplex Healthcare Center, Rawalpindi

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:

  • Chronic Myofascial Lower Back Pain > 3 months
  • Pain reproduced by palpation of Lumbar Para-Spinals, Quadratus Lumborum (QL) or Thoracolumbar Fascia.
  • Trigger Points will be diagnosed through Simons and Travell's Criteria
  • Age 25-45 years (young adults according to WHO classification)
  • Both genders

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of spinal surgery
  • Presence of inflammatory or neurological disorders
  • Facet joint dysfunction
  • Discogenic pain
  • Ligamentous pain
  • Pregnant females

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: Dry dynamic cupping group
Participants in this group will receive Dry Dynamic Cupping therapy. The intervention will be administered for 2 weeks, with 3 treatment sessions per week, according to the standardized study protocol. The effects of the intervention will be evaluated on pain intensity, functional disability, and lumbar range of motion.
Other: Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
Participants in this group will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM). The intervention will be administered for 2 weeks, with 3 treatment sessions per week, according to the standardized study protocol. The effects of the intervention will be evaluated on pain intensity, functional disability, and lumbar range of motion.
Other: dry cupping
Participants in this group will receive Dry Dynamic Cupping therapy. The intervention will be administered for 2 weeks, with 3 treatment sessions per week, according to the standardized study protocol. The effects of the intervention will be evaluated on pain intensity, functional disability, and lumbar range of motion.
Placebo Comparator: IASTM Group
Participants in this group will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM). The intervention will be administered for 2 weeks, with 3 treatment sessions per week, according to the standardized study protocol. The effects of the intervention will be evaluated on pain intensity, functional disability, and lumbar range of motion.
Other: Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
Participants in this group will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM). The intervention will be administered for 2 weeks, with 3 treatment sessions per week, according to the standardized study protocol. The effects of the intervention will be evaluated on pain intensity, functional disability, and lumbar range of motion.
Other: dry cupping
Participants in this group will receive Dry Dynamic Cupping therapy. The intervention will be administered for 2 weeks, with 3 treatment sessions per week, according to the standardized study protocol. The effects of the intervention will be evaluated on pain intensity, functional disability, and lumbar range of motion.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
NPRS
Time Frame: Baseline and 2 Weeks Post-Intervention
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Changes in pain scores will be compared between the Dry Dynamic Cupping and IASTM groups.
Baseline and 2 Weeks Post-Intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
ODI
Time Frame: Baseline and 2 Weeks Post-Intervention
Functional disability related to low back pain will be assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Changes in disability scores will be compared between groups.
Baseline and 2 Weeks Post-Intervention

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Inclinometer
Time Frame: Baseline and 2 Weeks Post-Intervention
Lumbar range of motion (ROM) will be measured using an inclinometer. Flexion, extension, right and left side flexion, and right and left rotation will be assessed to evaluate changes in lumbar mobility following the intervention and compared between the Dry Dynamic Cupping and IASTM groups.
Baseline and 2 Weeks Post-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

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 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

September 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 29, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 29, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 6, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 6, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 29, 2026

Last Verified

January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • IIUI/RERC/ADT/226

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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