A single-blind randomized clinical study comparing the effects of traditional Thai massage and the muscle energy technique on patients with chronic neck pain associated with myofascial trigger points

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Phase 3

Study type

Interventional

Source

TCTR

Registry ID

TCTR20200729003

Enrollment

Unknown

Registered

2020-07-29

Start date

2018-01-04

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-03-30

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Patients with chronic neck pain associated with myofascial trigger points Thai massage

Interventions

The participants in the traditional Thai massage group received eight 15&#45

minute sessions of TM over a two&#45

week period applied to the posterior neck area while lying on their backs. ,The participants in the muscle energy technique group received eight sessions of muscle energy technique treatment over a tw

week period. The post&#45

isometric relaxation technique was applied to the neck extensor muscles for three repetitions using 20% of maximal isometric contraction,The participants in the control group relaxed by quietly lying

Experimental Other,Experimental Other,No Intervention Other

Traditional Thai massage ,Muscle energy technique,Control group

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 40 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Male or female 2. 18â€“40 years old, experiencing neck pain for more than three months, and having at least one myofascial trigger point in the neck region.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. A history of specific cervical pathology (e.g., degenerative cervical spine, cervical radiculopathy, trauma or injury around the cervical area) 2. A history of neurological disorders 3. A diagnosis of conditions that could contradict Thai massage or the muscle energy technique (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, muscle inflammation, bone fracture, open wound, thrombophlebitis, fever)

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Pain intensity Before and immediately after the first treatment session, and one day after the last treatment Pain intensity measured by visual analog scale	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Pressure pain threshold Before and immediately after the first treatment session, and one day after the last treatment Pressure pain threshold measured by using pressure algometry,Neck disability Before and immediately after the first treatment session, and one day after the last treatment Neck disability measured by using Neck Disability Index (NDI) questionnaire,Neck flexion range of motion Before and immediately after the first treatment session, and one day after the last treatment Neck flexion range of motion measured by using the cervical range of motion (CROM) goniometer	—

Measure

Time frame

Pressure pain threshold Before and immediately after the first treatment session, and one day after the last treatment Pressure pain threshold measured by using pressure algometry,Neck disability Before and immediately after the first treatment session, and one day after the last treatment Neck disability measured by using Neck Disability Index (NDI) questionnaire,Neck flexion range of motion Before and immediately after the first treatment session, and one day after the last treatment Neck flexion range of motion measured by using the cervical range of motion (CROM) goniometer

—

Countries

Thailand

Contacts

Public ContactVitsarut Buttagat

School of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University

vitsarut.but@mfu.ac.th0882674423

Outcome results

None listed

Source: TCTR (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Apr 4, 2026

A single&#45;blind randomized clinical study comparing the effects of traditional Thai massage and the muscle energy technique on patients with chronic neck pain associated with myofascial trigger points