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NCT Number: NCT07007442

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Versus Dry Cupping On Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain

Which is more effective Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization or Dry cupping on pain intensity, cervical range of motion and functional status in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain?

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Key information

Conditions

Neck Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Cairo university

Cairo, Egypt

About this study

Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal pathology treated by physical therapists around the world. Neck pain is one of the highest complaints in terms of years lived with a disability, increasing the prelevancy of proper management by physical therapists. The overall prevalence of neck pain ranges from 10% to 20%, and the incidence of new neck pain ranging from 10% to 50%. Dry cupping involves the use of glass, plastic or bamboo cups that are placed over localized areas of skin. A vacuum suction is achieved with heat from a flame, a manual handheld pump or electrical pumping devices to create a negative pressure, drawing localized skin and soft tissue structures into the cup . Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a new technique, which has been known to be effective in reducing muscle tightness in athletes . IASTM is a new tool, which allows clinicians to efficiently locate and treat individuals diagnosed with soft tissue dysfunction .

The use of the instrument is thought to provide a mechanical advantage for the clinician by allowing deeper penetration and more specific treatment, while also reducing imposed stress on the hands

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • 45 patients with chronic mechanical neck pain in the past 3 months.
  • Age range from 18 to 35 years old.
  • Patients will be from both sexes.
  • Body mass index from 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2.
  • Subjects suffer from chronic mechanical neck pain.

Exclusion criteria

  • Serious injury.
  • Tumor.
  • Infection.
  • Spinal fractures.
  • Recent cervical surgery.
  • Cervical radiculopathy.
  • Skin disease, allergy, hypersensitivity, any malignant or benign tumors.
  • Unhealed scars or wounds.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Known psychiatric condition under treatment or medication.
  • Any orthopedic and Neurological condition as cervical PIVD, spondylolisthesis.

Treatment and study plan

Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization

Other

for application of IASTM. the patient will sit on chair in comfortable position, apply lubricant material on treated area (trapezius muscle). Apply IASTM in 30-60 angle for 40 to 120 sec until hyperemia occur for each side+ conventional therapy

Dry cupping

Other

the dry cupping will be aplied by using plastic cups that are placed over localized areas of skin. A vacuum suction is achieved with a manual handheld pump device to create a negative pressure, drawing localized skin and soft tissue structures into the cup+ conventional therapy

Conventional Therapy

Other

the patients will receive Isometric strengthening exercises for cervical Extensors, Flexors, bilateral side Flexors and Rotators (resistance was about 50% of the patient's maximum strength, hold for 10 seconds, for 10 repetitions.Stretching of the upper fibers of trapezius (stretching was held for 30 seconds and repeated 3 times). postural correction exercises in the form of ; 1) Chin tucks exercise is quick and easy to do and it helps strengthening upper thoracic extensors, the muscles that align head over shoulders.2)Corner stretch: provides a deep stretch of the chest and shoulders, which can help maintain good posture.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain intensity

    Time frame: up to four weeks

    Visual analogue scale will assess pain intensity.The visual analog scale (VAS) is a validated, subjective measure for acute and chronic pain. Scores are based on self-reported measures of symptoms that are recorded with a single handwritten mark placed at one point along the length of a 10-cm line that represents a continuum between the two ends of the scale- "no pain" on the left end (0 cm) of the scale and the "worst pain" on the right end of the scale (10 cm).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Cervical Range of motion

    Time frame: up to four weeks

    The measurements of the cervical range of motion, carried out with the CROM goniometer, The goniometer was placed on the subject's head and a magnetic collar was attached to their shoulders; it was always arranged in the same position with respect to the magnetic pole. During all the measurements, the subjects were seated, with their back straight, and looking ahead; their feet were supported on the floor. The subjects remained in the same sitting position from the moment the recording procedure was started.

    The measurement was performed during "half a cycle" of the movement, i.e., from "the neutral" position to the final range of motion in a given plane.

Other outcomes

  1. neck disability

    Time frame: up to four weeks

    Arabic neck disability index will be used to assess neck disability.The NDI has also been shown to be valid when comparing it to other pain and disability measures. Questions include activities of daily living, such as: personal care, lifting, reading, work, driving, sleeping, recreational activities, pain intensity, concentration and headache. Each question is measured on a scale from 0 (no disability) to 5, and an overall score out of 100 is calculated by adding each item score together and multiplying it by two. A higher NDI score means the greater a patient's perceived disability due to neck pain. The "minimally clinically important change" by patients has been found to be 5 or 10%

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cairo University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jun 5, 2025
Registry last updated
Sep 25, 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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