Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 40

Integrated neuromuscular inhibition, dry cupping, and dry needling for neck pain

Official title: Comparative Impact of Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique, Dry Cupping and Dry Needling on Mechanical Neck Pain; A Randomized Controlled Trial

Run by Beni-Suef University · NCT07711041 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial tests four treatment setups to see which helps people with chronic neck muscle pain best, all alongside standard physical therapy.

More Mechanical Neck Pain trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 40 Years
SexAll
Enrollment80 (estimated)
SponsorBeni-Suef University
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Giza)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJuly 2026
Main results expectedFebruary 2027
Study endsMay 2027
Registry record updatedJuly 17, 2026
Trial IDNCT07711041 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults with chronic trigger point–related neck pain in the upper trapezius who have not had neck surgery or recent neck pathology and who have not received physical therapy in the last 3 months.

Probably not a fit

Patients with other neck or shoulder conditions, cervical spine pathology, fibromyalgia, or recent physical therapy within 3 months may not benefit from this approach.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized trial compares four treatment arms in adults with chronic neck pain due to trigger points in the upper trapezius. All groups receive a standard 4-week physical therapy program; groups differ with the addition of either Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique, dry cupping, or dry needling. The study aims to determine whether adding these specific modalities provides greater pain relief or functional improvement than traditional physical therapy alone. Participants must have chronic trigger points and no recent neck surgery or other confounding conditions. Outcomes will be measured over the intervention period and may include pain intensity and functional measures.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help identify which adjunctive therapy provides the most relief for chronic neck pain when added to physical therapy.

How similar studies have gone: Previous work in related pain modalities suggests potential benefits, but results can vary by modality and population.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Medically competent men and women will be included They had chronic MTrPs in the upper trapezius for more than 6 months Diagnostic criteria of being a tight band with a palpable nodule and distant pain when subjected to pressure

Exclusion Criteria:

* subjects with previous neck or shoulder pathology (e.g., fracture, sur¬gery, inflammatory and infectious diseases), cervical disc pathology, systemic disorder, fibromyalgia, those who underwent physical therapy for at least the previous 3 months

Where it's running

  • Faculty of Physical Therapy
    Giza, Egypt
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.