Effects of Graston Versus Myofascial Release Technique in Patients With Cervicogenic Headache

July 23, 2026 updated by: Riphah International University

Effects of Graston Versus Myofascial Release Technique on Pain, Range of Motion and Functional Disability in Patients With Cervicogenic Headache

Cervicogenic Headache (CGH) is a painful condition that has pronounced impacts on quality and activity of daily lives. It is often associated with decreased mobility, muscular tightness, and postural deviations. When neck muscles become tight, weak, or irritated, they change the way the neck moves and put pressure on nearby joints and nerves. This pressure delivers pain signals to the head, causing a Cervicogenic headache.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of the Graston Technique and Myofascial Release in reducing pain, improving cervical range of motion, and decreasing functional disability in patients with Cervicogenic headache.

This study will be a randomized control trial and will be take place at Sehat Medical Complex, lake city branch, Lahore. Non-probability convenience sampling will be used to collect data. Sample size of ( ) subjects with age group between 18-40 years will be taken. Data will be collected from the patients having present complaint of Cervicogenic headache. Outcome measures will be assessed using numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) for pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI) to measure neck related disability, Headache Disability Index (HDI) to assess the impact of headaches on daily activities and emotional well-being and Goniometer for assessing range of motions. An informed consent will be taken and subjects will be selected on basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. They will be divided into two groups by random number generator. One group will receive Graston technique and other myofascial release as a treatment while both groups will be receiving conventional treatment alongside. Outcome measures will be measured at baseline and after 4 weeks. Data analysis will be done by SPSS version 21.

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

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:

  • Males and females between age 18-40 years [A30.1]of age with Cervicogenic Headache
  • Diagnosed with Cervicogenic headache according to ICHD-3 criteria (3)
  • Presence of active myofascial trigger points in the SCM and upper trapezius and subocvcipital levator scapuli (confirmed [A31.1]via palpation and referred pain) simens [A32.1]criteria
  • Positive Cervical Flexion Rotation Test

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Any history of cervical trauma, fracture, or recent surgery.
  • Diagnosis of migraine, tension-type headache, or cluster headache (9).
  • Any cervical spine pathology e.g. cervical myelopathies and arthropathies.
  • Pregnant or lactating women.
  • Skin conditions or open wounds that contraindicate use of Graston tools e.g. open wounds, skin infections and burns etc.

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: Group A: Graston technique
Patients will receive the Graston technique with conventional treatment
Other: Graston technique
  • Applied to: Sternocleidomastoid, Upper trapezius, Levator scapulae, Suboccipitals and cervical paraspinals.
  • Duration: 5-7 minutes per session, depending on patient tolerance and therapist assessment.
  • Frequency: 2-3 sessions per week, for 4 weeks
Active Comparator: Group B: Myofascial release therapy
Patients will receive Myofascial release therapy with conventional treatment.
Other: Myofascial Release Therapy
  • Manual release applied to same regions as above using sustained pressure and fascial stretch.
  • Duration: 7-10 minutes per session.
  • Frequency: 2-3 sessions per week, for 4 weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Time Frame: upto 4 weeks
upto 4 weeks
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Time Frame: upto 4 weeks
Patient level of pain will be assessed using this scale. This scale ranges from 0 to 10. 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "worst pain".
upto 4 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Universal Goniometer (UG)
Time Frame: upto 4 weeks
The range of motion will be measured using universal goniometer that has an inter-rater reliability (ICC2, 2 = 0.79 to 0.92) for cervical region
upto 4 weeks
Global Rating of Change (GROC) scale
Time Frame: upto 4 weeks
Global Rating of Change (GROC) scale
upto 4 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Riphah International University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Sofia Rahim, MSPT*, Riphah International University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

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)

December 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 21, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 23, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 24, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 24, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 23, 2026

Last Verified

July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • REC/RCR & AHS/25/0140- sofia

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

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 Cervicogenic Headache

Clinical Trials on Graston technique

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in South Africa

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe