Chronic Neck PainNCT07630142
Longitudinal Stripping Massage vs. Percussion Device for Neck Pain: Ultrasound Study.
A study testing Percussion Therapy and Longitudinal stripping masage in people with Chronic Neck Pain, run by Poznan University of Physical Education at 1 site in Poland.
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 60 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Neck Pain
- What is being tested?
- Percussion Therapy and Longitudinal stripping masage
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 35 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePoland
- Study dates
- 1 Jun 2026to 1 Jun 2029
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 60 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 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 20% and 48%
Who cannot join
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Poland1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Poznań University of Physical Education
Poznan, 61-871
Dawid Łochyński, PhD, Assoc. Prof., (61) 835 54 49, lochynski@awf.poznan.pl
About this study
Official title: 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.
- Conditions
- Chronic Neck Pain
- Being tested
- Percussion Therapy, Longitudinal stripping masage
- Keywords
- neck pain, longitudinal stripping massage, percussion massage, trapezius, elastography, shear wave, Doppler ultrasound, cervical pain
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Percussion TherapyDevice
Theragun device applied to dominant side of upper trapezius muscle. Session duration: 3 minutes.
Longitudinal stripping masageOther
Longitudinal stripping massage of dominant side of upper trapezius muscle. Session duration: 3 minutes.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Percussion Therapy Arm | Experimental | Subjects receiving percussion therapy using a massage device. Theragun device applied to dominant side of upper trapezius muscle. Session duration: 3 minutes. Receives: Device: Percussion Therapy |
| Longitudinal Stripping Massage Arm | Experimental | Subjects receiving manual longitudinal stripping massage. Longitudinal stripping massage of dominant side of upper trapezius muscle. Session duration: 3 minutes. Receives: Other: Longitudinal stripping masage |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Neck pain intensity on Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
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
Measured: 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 outcomes (11)
Neck pain-related disability on Neck Disability Index (NDI)
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
Measured: 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
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)
Measured: 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
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)
Measured: 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
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)
Measured: 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
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
Measured: 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
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
Measured: 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
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
Measured: 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
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
Measured: 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
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
Measured: 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
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
Measured: 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
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
Measured: 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)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Jun 2026
- Study start1 Jun 2026
- Primary completion1 Jun 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Jun 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Chronic Neck PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator
- Enrolment
- 35 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Poznan University of Physical Education
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Dawid Łochyński, Poznan University of Physical Education
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07630142
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 667/21
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 1 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 5 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared to protect patient privacy and confidentiality in accordance with GDPR regulations and local bioethics committee guidelines.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- 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.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07630142
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 667/21
- Conditions
- Chronic Neck Pain
- Keywords
- neck pain, longitudinal stripping massage, percussion massage, trapezius, elastography, shear wave, Doppler ultrasound, cervical pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 35 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Poznan University of Physical EducationUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jun 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Jun 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 5 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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 design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind (investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Percussion Therapy Arm | Experimental | Device: Percussion TherapySubjects receiving percussion therapy using a massage device. Theragun device applied to dominant side of upper trapezius muscle. Session duration: 3 minutes. |
| Longitudinal Stripping Massage Arm | Experimental | Other: Longitudinal stripping masageSubjects receiving manual longitudinal stripping massage. Longitudinal stripping massage of dominant side of upper trapezius muscle. Session duration: 3 minutes. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- 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 20% and 48%
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- 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
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Percussion TherapyTheragun device applied to dominant side of upper trapezius muscle. Session duration: 3 minutes. | Device | Percussion Therapy Arm |
| Longitudinal stripping masageLongitudinal stripping massage of dominant side of upper trapezius muscle. Session duration: 3 minutes. | Other | Longitudinal Stripping Massage Arm |
Primary outcome
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
11 secondary outcomes
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Nov 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared to protect patient privacy and confidentiality in accordance with GDPR regulations and local bioethics committee guidelines.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Percussion Therapy and Longitudinal stripping masage in people with Chronic Neck Pain, run by Poznan University of Physical Education at 1 site in Poland.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Nov 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Poland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
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)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Nov 2026.