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NCT Number: NCT07102355

Comparative Effectiveness of Dry Cupping and Graston Techniques in Scapulocostal Syndrome.

The goal of this clinical trial is to check the comparative effectiveness of Graston Techniques and Dry cupping in Office Workers with Scapulocostal syndrome. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. To evaluate the relative effectiveness of dry cupping and the Graston technique. 2. How well each technique reduces symptoms and enhances work productivity and functional outcomes. 3. To assess whether integrating either Graston Technique or Dry Cupping provides more beneficial effects than conventional treatment alone.

1) Be divided into 2 Groups (Group A= Dry Cupping; B: Graston Techniques) 2) get the treatment for 4 weeks (3 days a week). 3) Receive the same conventional treatment.

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Key information

Conditions

Scapulocostal Syndrome

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Bethania Hospital Sialkot, Sialkot, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Loading trial locations.

About this study

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of Graston and Dry cupping in treating Scapulocostal syndrome in office workers, focusing on specific outcomes like pain severity, functional outcomes, and work productivity.

This study will be a randomized clinical trial with a sample size of 46 participants with work-related SCS. The participants will be obtained by non-probability convenient sampling based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned into two groups, with 23 subjects in each group. Group A will receive dry cupping along with conventional therapy while Group B will receive IASTM along with conventional therapy.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 18-30 age group
  • Males and females
  • Office Workers.
  • Subjects that have symptoms of musculoskeletal nature (
  • Subjects with pain lasting for longer than 3 months (

Exclusion criteria

  • Subjects with underlying pathology such as TOS, brachial neuralgia, cervical radiculopathy, polymyositis or Fibro myositis
  • Subjects with systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis
  • Subjects with the presence of any fractures
  • Heart/diabetic patients
  • Pregnant women

Treatment and study plan

Experimental: Group A = Dry Cupping

Other

Dry cupping, originating in Middle Eastern and Asian countries, gained popularity in the United States after the 2016 Summer Olympics. It has two main forms: wet and dry cupping. Wet cupping involves laceration of the skin, while dry cupping uses negative pressure to pull the skin into the cup. Cupping is used to reduce musculoskeletal or myofascial pain, with the most accepted mechanism being localized hyperemia, which improves microcirculation and promotes healing

Experimental: Group B = Graston Technique

Other

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), derived from Cyriax cross-friction massage, is a popular alternative to traditional manual therapy techniques, with its first controlled study published in 1997 (Seffrin & Gardiner-Shires, 2019) .The Graston Technique(GT), also known as instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), is used by chiropractors, doctors, and therapists to alleviate pain and range-of-motion restrictions caused by musculoskeletal injuries and scar tissue. (McKivigan, J. M., & Tulimero, G. et al. , 2020) . The Graston technique, is also used to alleviate upper cervical pain.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change From Baseline in Pain Intensity as Measured by the Visual Analog Scale

    Time frame: 4 Weeks

    Pain intensity will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 100 mm horizontal line anchored by two extremes: 0 mm represents "no pain" and 100 mm represents "worst imaginable pain." Participants will mark the point that best represents their pain intensity. The score is the distance in millimeters from the left end to the mark. Change in pain intensity will be calculated by subtracting the Week 4 score from the baseline score. A decrease in VAS score indicates an improvement in pain levels.

  2. Cervical Range of Motion (ROM)

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    Cervical spine Range of Motion (ROM) will be assessed and measured using a universal goniometer by utilizing moving and stationary arm of angles in cervical spine range of motion..

Secondary outcomes

  1. Neck Disability Index (NDI) Total Score

    Time frame: 4 Weeks

    The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a validated 10-item questionnaire assessing neck-specific disability. Each item is scored from 0 to 5, resulting in a total score range of 0 to 50. Higher scores indicate greater disability. The change in total NDI score from baseline to Week 4 will be calculated. A decrease in score indicates clinical improvement.

  2. Treatment-Related Adverse Events During the 4-Week Intervention

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    Treatment-related adverse events (AEs), such as skin irritation, bruising, or discomfort, will be recorded throughout the study. The number of participants experiencing at least one AE will be counted. All AEs will be assessed for severity and relatedness to the intervention.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Management and Technology Sialkot Pakistan

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparative Effectiveness of Dry Cupping and Graston Techniques in Office Workers With Scapulocostal Syndrome; A Randomised Clinical Trail

Acronym: CMR = Compress

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Aug 3, 2025
Registry last updated
Dec 30, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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