Comparing the effect of pressure massage and acupuncture

Comparing the effect of pressure massage and acupuncture on patients with upper trapezius myofascial trigger points

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Phase 1

Study type

Interventional

Source

TCTR

Registry ID

TCTR20210127003

Enrollment

Registered

2021-01-27

Start date

2021-02-10

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-08-03

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

Conditions

Patients with upper trapezius myofascial trigger points Myofascial trigger points Acupuncture Pressure massage

Interventions

The participants in the pressure massage group received nine 30-minute sessions of ischemic compression and deep friction massage over a three-week period applied to the posterior upper back area.,The

Experimental Other,Experimental Other

Pressure massage,Acupuncture

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 40 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Male or female 2. 18 to 40 years old, experiencing upper back pain for more than three months, and having at least one myofascial trigger point in the neck region. 3. Pain scale (Visual analog scale) more than 3/10

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: A history of the following diseases or disorders: 1. Neurological disorder 2. Inflammatory arthritis of upper back and neck 3. Contagious skin disease in the upper back and neck 4. thrombophlebitis 5. Cancer 6. Fracture 7. Fever 8. Pregnant women 7. Mental illnesses

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Pain intensity Before and after the end of the intervention, and 1 month after the end of the intervention Pain scale (visual analogue scale)	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Muscle tension Before and after the end of the intervention, and 1 month after the end of the intervention Muscle tension scale (visual analogue scale),Pressure pain threshold Before and after the end of the intervention, and 1 month after the end of the intervention Pressure algometry,Anxiety Before and after the end of the intervention, and 1 month after the end of the intervention State anxiety inventory,Pain frequency Before and after the end of the intervention, and 1 month after the end of the intervention Pain frequency questionnaire,Neck range of motion Before and after the end of the intervention, and 1 month after the end of the intervention CROM Goniometry,Patient satisfaction After end of the intervention Patient satisfaction questionnaire,Side effect After end of the intervention Side effect questionnaire	—

Measure

Time frame

Muscle tension Before and after the end of the intervention, and 1 month after the end of the intervention Muscle tension scale (visual analogue scale),Pressure pain threshold Before and after the end of the intervention, and 1 month after the end of the intervention Pressure algometry,Anxiety Before and after the end of the intervention, and 1 month after the end of the intervention State anxiety inventory,Pain frequency Before and after the end of the intervention, and 1 month after the end of the intervention Pain frequency questionnaire,Neck range of motion Before and after the end of the intervention, and 1 month after the end of the intervention CROM Goniometry,Patient satisfaction After end of the intervention Patient satisfaction questionnaire,Side effect After end of the intervention Side effect questionnaire

—

Countries

Thailand

Contacts

Public ContactVitsarut Buttagat

Department of Physical Therapy, School of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University

vitsarut.but@mfu.ac.th0882674423

Outcome results

None listed

Source: TCTR (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Aug 9, 2026