INSTRUMENT ASSISSTED SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION VERSUS DRY CUPPING ON UPPER TRAPEZIUS TRIGGER POINTS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

INSTRUMENT ASSISSTED SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION VERSUS DRY CUPPING ON UPPER TRAPEZIUS TRIGGER POINTS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the effects of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and dry cupping in patients (both genders), aged 20-50 years, diagnosed with chronic non-specific neck pain who have active upper trapezius trigger points. The main questions it aims to answer are :

1. Is there a significant difference in the effect on pain level (measured by VAS) between the groups?
2. Is there a significant difference in the effect on cervical range of motion (CROM), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and functional disability (NDI) between the groups?

Researchers will compare three groups:

1. Group A (Control):] Will receive a conventional physical therapy program (hot packs, TENS, and exercises).
2. Group B (Experimental):] Will receive conventional therapy plus IASTM.
3. Group C (Experimental):] Will receive conventional therapy plus Dry Cupping.

Participants will be asked to do the following:

1. Undergo baseline assessments (measuring pain, ROM, PPT, and disability) before treatment and final assessments after 4 weeks.
2. Attend [3 treatment sessions per week for four weeks].
3. At each session, all participants will receive the conventional physical therapy program , while Groups B and C will receive their additional intervention (IASTM or dry cupping).

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Participants aged 20 to 50.
2. Diagnosis of chronic non-specific neck pain (> 4 weeks duration).
3. Had an active upper trapezius TrP (defined as a tender nodule in a taut band that referred pain in a pattern specific for upper trapezius TrP1 or TrP2).
4. Pain of at least 40 mm on a visual analogue scale (VAS).
5. Body mass index from 18 - 30 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participants who will exhibit signs of fibromyalgia syndrome.
2. Participants with a specific neck pain such as cervical radiculopathy with neurological deficits (e.g., motor weakness, significant sensory loss), cervical instability, fracture, tumor, infection, or inflammatory arthropathies.
3. Sensory problems in the upper or midback regions, heart/circulation problems.
4. Participants who will have vascular syndromes such as vertebrobasilar insufficiency.
5. Participants with skin lesions, fragile skin, or a history of bleeding disorders.