Stripping Massage on Rhomboid Major and Minor Active Trigger Points in Upper Thoracic Pain

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Upper Thoracic Pain Due to Active Trigger Points
• Interventions: Other: stripping massage + conventional therapy; Other: Conventional therapy

• Registration Number: NCT06556758
• Lead Sponsor: Riphah International University

Brief Summary

Aim of this randomized controlled trial is to see the effects of stripping massage on rhomboids major and minor active trigger points in patients with upper thoracic pain for reducing pain, enhancing thoracic range of motion and physical functioning

Detailed Description

Spine pain is a common condition that results in considerable levels of disability and lost work time and has a major impact on society, a lifetime prevalence ranging from 15.6% to 19.5% for thoracic pain. Thoracic pain is more prevalent in women than in men (2:1). The origin of spine pain is clearly multifactorial and often includes number of anatomical structures. One plausible etiology of symptoms associated with thoracic pain may be the presence of myofascial pain. Myofascial pain is generally associated with the presence of trigger points. Trigger points are hypersensitive spots within taut bands of skeletal musculature whose stimulation can be associated with referred pain and autonomic phenomena. Trigger points can be either active or latent depending on the association with symptoms. For instance, active trigger points (MTrPs) are associated with spontaneous pain, and the local and referred pain reproduces the symptoms of the patient, totally or partially.

Stripping massage (SM) is a gliding tissue massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of the fascia and skeletal muscle.This technique involves gliding pressure along a muscle, usually from one attachment to the other in the direction of the muscle fibers. Applying SM to tender spots in muscles can cause ischaemia followed by reflexive hyperaemia. This increases the local blood flow, which improves pliability of the muscles and fascia and helps break down adhesions and decrease pain sensations. SM acts as a mechanical stress that stimulates parasympathetic activity which leads to the release of substances such as endorphins. These chemicals remove the noxious stimulus and decrease the pressure on nociceptors, reducing pain The rationale for the use of this technique is to identify the effects of stripping massage on rhomboids active trigger points in upper thoracic pain patients. This study will see the effects of stripping massage on rhomboids trigger points on pain, thoracic mobility, and functional performance. Aim of this study is to see the effects of stripping massage to figure out whether this technique would be more effective and should be incorporated into clinical settings in relation to conventional treatment.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2024-08
• Study Start: 2024-08-09
• Study First Submitted: 2024-08-13
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-08-13
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-08-13
• Study First Posted: 2024-08-16
• Last Update Posted: 2024-08-16
• Primary Completion: 2024-12-30
• Study Completion: 2025-01-10

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 44

Inclusion Criteria

• Participants falling in this category would be recruited into the study.

  • females
  • Age: 18-40
  • Active TrPs in the rhomboid major and minor muscles.
  • Presence of atleast one trigger point in rhomboids (diagnosed by the characteristics like hyperirritable spot in a taut band, twitch response and referral pain)
  • Presence of Jump sign
  • Segmental hypomobility in upper thoracic region identified with positive springing test
  • upper thoracic pain, defined as pain in the body region encompassing from T1 to T4) pain intensity score of ≥ 3 on the numeric pain rating scale (0-10)
  • symptoms provoked by thoracic movement,or palpation of the rhomboid muscles.

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Exclusion Criteria

• Participants falling in this category would be excluded from the study.

  • a history of neck trauma
  • previously had surgery in the neck or shoulder area or suffered from physical injury
  • Fractures, Dislocations, Traumatic injuries, Adhesive capsulitis, thoracic outlet syndrome.
  • any rheumatic condition, osteoporosis, cancer, spinal infection, radicular pain, or neuropathy.

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
stripping massage + conventional Therapy	stripping massage + conventional therapy	Stripping Massage Stripping massage on rhomboid major and minor active trigger point in the direction of muscle fiber from origin to insertion of muscle. Frequency: 3 minutes for 3 times/week for 4 consecutive weeks. Conventional therapy including Hot pack for 10 minutes + ischemic compression for 90 secs + CPA glides grade 3 kaltenborn mobilization on thoracic T1 to T4 (5 reps x 1 set) Frequency: 3 times/ week for 4 weeks
Conventional therapy	Conventional therapy	Conventional Therapy Conventional PT including Hot pack for 10 minutes + ischemic compression for 90 secs + CPA glides grade 3 kaltenborn mobilization on thoracic T1 to T4(5 reps x 1 set ) Frequency : 3 times/ week for 4 weeks

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Numeric Pain Rating Scale NPRS	4 weeks	The NPRS is a segmented numeric version of the visual analog scale which is used to assess pain. It scores ranges from 0-10, 0 means No pain and 10 means Severe pain. Patient will be asked to verbally report the pain score.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Bubble inclinometer	4 weeks	It is an instrument that measures the available range of motion at a joint.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Railway General Hospital; 🇵🇰 Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan