Trigger Point Pain, MyofascialNCT07838584
Comparison of Ischemic Release and Sustained Pressure Direct Myofascial Release in Upper Trapezius Trigger Point
A study testing Ischemic release and Sustained pressure Direct Myofascial release in people with Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial, run by Foundation University Islamabad at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the clinical effectiveness of ischemic release and sustained pressure direct myofascial release for upper trapezius trigger points. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial
- What is being tested?
- Ischemic release and Sustained pressure Direct Myofascial release
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 42 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 9 Sep 2026to 18 Jan 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
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 35 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- AGE; 18-35 years
- Male \& Female
- Unilateral Trapezius muscle involvement
- Presence of at least one active trigger point in upper trapezius muscle.
- Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) score of 3-8 points
- Subacute Neck pain for 4-12 weeks
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- Point tenderness on palpable taut band
- Reproducible provocation according to referred pain pattern mapping
- Cervical range of motion change in SB ≥ 2° and ROT ≥ 2° than normal SB=45° AND ROT=70°
- Willing to participate and provide informed consent
Who cannot join
- Serious pathology (e.g. neoplasm, fracture)
- Radiculopathy
- History of whiplash injury within past 6 months
- Neurological deficit
- Taking steroids or on concurrent physiotherapy treatment
- Prior surgery to cervical spine \& shoulder
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Pakistan1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Foundation University College of Physical Therapy
Islamabad, Punjab Province, 44000
Quratulain Saeed, MS-OMPT, +92331 5562889, quratulain.saeed@fui.edu.pk
About this study
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the clinical effectiveness of ischemic release and sustained pressure direct myofascial release for upper trapezius trigger points.
The study will compare their effects on pain pressure threshold, cervical range of motion, and scapular upward rotation following a two-week intervention.
Read the detailed description
Eligible participants will be recruited through purposive sampling. Upper trapezius trigger points will be assessed by manual palpation to identify a taut band and hypersensitive nodule, followed by pressure to determine reproduction of the participant's familiar pain. Baseline assessments will include pain pressure threshold, cervical range of motion, and scapular upward rotation. After baseline assessment, 42 participants will be allocated randomly into respective groups, each having 21 participants.
- Conditions
- Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial
- Being tested
- Ischemic release, Sustained pressure Direct Myofascial release
- Keywords
- Ischemic compression, Myofascial release therapy, Trigger points
- Medical subject headings
- Myofascial Pain Syndromes
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Ischemic releaseProcedure or surgery
Also called Ischemic compression
Participants will receive a two-week physiotherapy program with three sessions per week. Each session will include heat application followed active ROM and passive stretching.
Participants in Group A will receive ischemic compression in addition to standard physiotherapy. Pressure should be applied via thumb for 20 second - 1 minute until pain decreases or muscle begin to relax.
Sustained pressure Direct Myofascial releaseProcedure or surgery
Participants will receive a two-week physiotherapy program with three sessions per week. Each session will include heat application followed active ROM and passive stretching. Participants in Group B will receive sustained pressure direct MFR in addition to standard physiotherapy. Apply pressure to the trigger point for 8-20 seconds, maintaining it until a physical "discharge" or release is felt, which may take five minutes or more.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Ischemic Release | Experimental | Not described Receives: Procedure: Ischemic release |
| Sustained pressure direct myofascial release | Experimental | Not described Receives: Procedure: Sustained pressure Direct Myofascial release |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Pressure Threshold
Pain pressure threshold will be measured using a Wagner digital pressure algometer, apply perpendicular to the identified upper trapezius trigger point with gradually increasing pressure.
The pressure at which the participant first perceived pain was recorded as the pain pressure threshold (PPT) in kg/cm².
Measured: Baseline and after 2 weeks.
Cervical range of motion
Cervical ROM will be assessed using a goniometer.
Measured: Baseline and after 2 weeks
Scapular upward rotation
Scapular upward rotation will be assessed using a bubble inclinometer.
Measured: Baseline and after 2 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Sep 2026
- Study start9 Sep 2026
- Primary completion18 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion18 Jan 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Trigger Point Pain, MyofascialStudies 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
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Foundation University Islamabad
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07838584
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- FUI/FUCP/CTR/MSMSK/Sohaima
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 5 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No