. 2025 Mar 13;26:250. doi: 10.1186/s12891-025-08372-x

Table 1.

Details of included studies

Reference	Study Design/ Country	Sample’s characteristics (Mean age)	Intervention description (Duration)	Outcome measures	Results	class
Fernández-de-las-Peñas et al. 2006	RCT/ Spain	Active and Latent TP (Upper trapezius) DX: mechanical neck pain (19–38) TG: 20 (27.7) CG: 20 (29.7)	TG: Friction massage (3 min, immediate effect) CG: Ischemic compression (90 s, immediate effect)	- VAS - Algometer	Both groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention. No significant difference was observed between groups.	III
Mohamadi et al. 2017	RCT / Iran	Latent TP (Upper trapezius) DX: No disease (18–30) TG: 29 (21.06) CG: 29 (22.04)	TG: Friction massage (90 s, 3 sessions on 3 successive days) CG: Kinesio tape (one time - for 72 h)	- Algometer - Hand Held Dynamometer	PPT decreased significantly after intervention in treatment group. Hand grip power just improve significantly in kinesio tap group. No significant difference was observed between groups.	III
Ekici et al. 2021	RCT/ Turkish	Active trigger points (infraspinatus, supraspinatus, subscapularis, the upper part of the trapezius and levator scapula) Dx: Subacromial Pain Syndrome (18–65) TG: 19 (50.90) CG: 19 (52.04)	TG: Friction massage (6 sessions, twice a week for 3 weeks, Follow-up: more than 12 weeks) CG: Dry needling (6 sessions over 4 weeks)	-VAS -Goniometer	Both groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention. No significant difference was observed between groups. Just FM intervention showed earlier improvements as the treatments could be carried out in 3 weeks, rather than the 4 weeks required for the trigger point dry needling therapy sessions	III
Ammara et al. 2023	RCT/ Pakistan	Active TP (at least one trigger point in the iliopsoas muscle on the anterior lumbar aspect and one in the quadratus lumborum muscle lateral to transverse processes of L1-L5) Dx: mechanical low back pain (20–40 years) TG: 18 CG:18	TG: Friction massage (3 sets, 2 min and 1 min rest between sets) CG: Positional Release Technique (90 s Hold/ 90 s Rest 3 times per week, for 4 weeks(	-NPRS - Goniometer	Both groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention. No significant difference was observed between groups.	III
Sadeghnia, et al. 2023	RCT/ Iran	Active TP (Upper trapezius) Dx: mechanical neck pain (18–45) TG: 30 (29.00) CG:30 (32.14)	TG: Friction massage (3 min) CG: High-power pain threshold ultrasound (3 min, Immediate effect)	-VAS - Algometer - Goniometer	Both groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention. ROM of CLF increased significantly more in the HPPTUS group	III
Sadeghnia, et al. 2023	RCT/ Iran	Active TP (Upper trapezius) Dx: mechanical neck pain (18–45) TG: 22 (28.40) CG1: 22 (32.04) CG2: 22 (28.77)	TG: Friction massage (3 min) CG1: High-power pain threshold ultrasound (3 min) CG2: whole body vibration (5 sets, 1 min, and 1 min rest between sets) Immediate effect	- VAS - Algometer - Goniometer	All groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention. ROM of CLF increased significantly more in the HPPTUS and WBV groups.	III
Bukhari 2020	RCT/India	Active TP (Upper trapezius, supraspinatus, rhomboids, splenius capitis and splenius cervicis muscles) Dx: Neck and Upper Back (18–36) F = 36 TG: (18) CG: (18)	TG: Deep friction massage+ Hot pack (at least 7 min) CG: Ischemic compression + Hot pack (Hold: 60 s, repeat 3times, 15 s rest between sets) twelve sessions, four weeks on alternative days	-NPRS - NDI - Goniometer	All groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention. NPRS and ROM of CLF increased significantly more in the FM. No significant difference was observed between groups on NDI.	III
Yasin 2019	RCT /Pakistan	Active trigger point (upper part of the trapezius, scalene, and sternocleidomastoid) (35–50) (age mean40.96 ± 5.79) Dx: mechanical neck pain F = 32 M = 24 TG: (28) CG: (28)	TG: Friction massage + hot pack (not reported) CG: Static stretching + hot pack (not reported) 2 sessions per weeks, 3 weeks	-VAS -NDI	All groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention. NDI increased significantly more in the FM. No significant difference was observed between groups on VAS.	III
Basu 2017	comparative/India	Active trigger point (gluteus medius) Dx: mechanical low back pain	TG: Transverse friction massage + traditional physical therapy (stretching of gluteus medius). (10 min) CG: Positional release technique + traditional physical therapy (stretching of gluteus medius) (comfort position held for 90 s) alternate days for 3 days	-VAS -Oswestry Low Back Pain(ODI) Disability Index Questionnaire -Pressure Algometer -Pelvic Inclinometer	VAS and ODI in FM group and VAS, ODI and PPT in PRT improved significantly but comparing both group, PPT in PRT group improved significantly	III
Rizwana 2024	RCT/ India	Active trigger Points (quadratus lumborum) Dx: quadratus lumborum strain among IT workers (25–45) TG:30 CG:30	TG: Friction massage (not reported) CG: Positional release technique (Hold: 90 s, rest 60 s rest between sets, set not reported) five times/week for two weeks 5 sessions per week for 2 weeks	-NPRS -ALROM	Both groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention. NPRS and ALROM improved significantly more in PRT.	III
Trampas 2010	RCT/ Greece	latent trigger Points (quadratus lumborum hamstrings, lateral head of gastrocnemius, medial head of gastrocnemius) Dx: tight hamstrings with at least one tight hamstrings (19 and 24) TG: 10 CG1: 10 CG2: 10	TG: Friction massage + PNF (until there was no tension/tenderness or 90 s) CG1: PNF (hold15s, contraction 7s, new position 10s, three set, 30 s of rest between et) CG2(control): laying on table (7 min) immediately after treatment, at 10 and 30 min.	-PPT -goniometer - inversed stretch perception (ISP) with algometer and NPR -pain intensity (PI) elicited by 3.0 kg/cm2 of pressure	significant improvement in all outcomes after the intervention in TG. Immediately: PI improved significantly more in TG compare to CG1. Fallow up: ROM improved significantly more in CG1 compare to TG. PPT, ROM, ICP and PI improved significantly more in TG compare to CG2. PPT, ROM, ISP and PI improved significantly more in CG1 compare to CG2.	III
Doley 2013	comparative/India	Active trigger point (gluteus medius) Dx: mechanical low back pain (20–40) TG: (15) 26.47 CG: (15) 28.07	TG: Friction massage (10 min) CG: Positional release technique (90 s, 5 times)	- Pressure Algometer	Assessments were conducted on the first, fifth, and seventh days. Each group showed significant differences after treatment, but when comparing the groups, only in the seventh session did friction massage show significant improvements in PPT	III

Reference

Study Design/ Country

Sample’s characteristics (Mean age)

Intervention description (Duration)

Outcome measures

Results

class

Fernández-de-las-Peñas et al. 2006

RCT/ Spain

Active and Latent TP (Upper trapezius)

DX: mechanical neck pain

(19–38)

TG: 20 (27.7)

CG: 20 (29.7)

TG: Friction massage

(3 min, immediate effect)

CG: Ischemic compression

(90 s, immediate effect)

- VAS

- Algometer

Both groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention.

No significant difference was observed between groups.

III

Mohamadi et al. 2017

RCT / Iran

Latent TP

(Upper trapezius)

DX: No disease

(18–30)

TG: 29 (21.06)

CG: 29 (22.04)

TG: Friction massage

(90 s, 3 sessions on 3 successive days)

CG: Kinesio tape

(one time - for 72 h)

- Algometer

- Hand Held Dynamometer

PPT decreased significantly after intervention in treatment group.

Hand grip power just improve significantly in kinesio tap group.

No significant difference was observed between groups.

III

Ekici et al. 2021

RCT/ Turkish

Active trigger points (infraspinatus, supraspinatus, subscapularis, the upper part of the trapezius and levator scapula)

Dx: Subacromial Pain Syndrome

(18–65)

TG: 19 (50.90)

CG: 19 (52.04)

TG: Friction massage

(6 sessions, twice a week for 3 weeks, Follow-up: more than 12 weeks)

CG: Dry needling

(6 sessions over 4 weeks)

-VAS

-Goniometer

Both groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention.

No significant difference was observed between groups.

Just FM intervention showed earlier improvements as the treatments could be carried out in 3 weeks, rather than the 4 weeks required for the trigger point dry needling therapy sessions

III

Ammara et al. 2023

RCT/ Pakistan

Active TP

(at least one trigger point in the iliopsoas muscle on the anterior lumbar aspect and one in the quadratus lumborum muscle lateral to transverse processes of L1-L5)

Dx: mechanical low back pain

(20–40 years)

TG: 18

CG:18

TG: Friction massage

(3 sets, 2 min and 1 min rest between sets)

CG: Positional Release Technique

(90 s Hold/ 90 s Rest

3 times per week, for 4 weeks(

-NPRS

- Goniometer

Both groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention.

No significant difference was observed between groups.

III

Sadeghnia, et al. 2023

RCT/ Iran

Active TP

(Upper trapezius)

Dx: mechanical neck pain

(18–45)

TG: 30 (29.00)

CG:30 (32.14)

TG: Friction massage

(3 min)

CG: High-power pain threshold ultrasound

(3 min, Immediate effect)

-VAS

- Algometer

- Goniometer

Both groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention.

ROM of CLF increased significantly more in the HPPTUS group

III

Sadeghnia, et al. 2023

RCT/ Iran

Active TP

(Upper trapezius)

Dx: mechanical neck pain

(18–45)

TG: 22 (28.40)

CG1: 22 (32.04)

CG2: 22 (28.77)

TG: Friction massage

(3 min)

CG1: High-power pain

threshold ultrasound

(3 min)

CG2: whole body vibration

(5 sets, 1 min, and 1 min rest between sets)

Immediate effect

- VAS

- Algometer

- Goniometer

All groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention.

ROM of CLF increased significantly more in the HPPTUS and WBV groups.

III

Bukhari 2020

RCT/India

Active TP

(Upper trapezius, supraspinatus, rhomboids, splenius capitis and splenius cervicis muscles)

Dx: Neck and Upper Back

(18–36)

F = 36

TG: (18)

CG: (18)

TG: Deep friction massage+

Hot pack

(at least 7 min)

CG: Ischemic compression + Hot pack

(Hold: 60 s, repeat 3times, 15 s rest between sets)

twelve sessions, four weeks on alternative days

-NPRS

- NDI

- Goniometer

All groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention.

NPRS and ROM of CLF increased significantly more in the FM.

No significant difference was observed between groups on NDI.

III

Yasin

2019

RCT /Pakistan

Active trigger point

(upper part of the trapezius, scalene, and sternocleidomastoid)

(35–50)

(age mean40.96 ± 5.79)

Dx: mechanical neck pain

F = 32

M = 24

TG: (28)

CG: (28)

TG: Friction massage + hot pack

(not reported)

CG: Static stretching + hot pack

(not reported)

2 sessions per weeks, 3 weeks

-VAS

-NDI

All groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention.

NDI increased significantly more in the FM.

No significant difference was observed between groups on VAS.

III

Basu

2017

comparative/India

Active trigger point

(gluteus medius)

Dx: mechanical low back pain

TG: Transverse friction massage + traditional physical therapy (stretching of gluteus medius).

(10 min)

CG: Positional release technique + traditional physical therapy (stretching of gluteus medius)

(comfort position held for 90 s)

alternate days for 3 days

-VAS

-Oswestry Low Back Pain(ODI) Disability Index Questionnaire

-Pressure Algometer

-Pelvic Inclinometer

VAS and ODI in FM group and VAS, ODI and PPT in PRT improved significantly but comparing both group, PPT in PRT group improved significantly

III

Rizwana 2024

RCT/ India

Active trigger Points

(quadratus lumborum)

Dx: quadratus lumborum strain among IT workers

(25–45)

TG:30

CG:30

TG: Friction massage

(not reported)

CG: Positional release technique

(Hold: 90 s, rest 60 s rest between sets, set not reported)

five times/week for two weeks

5 sessions per week for 2 weeks

-NPRS

-ALROM

Both groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention.

NPRS and ALROM improved significantly more in PRT.

III

Trampas 2010

RCT/ Greece

latent trigger Points

(quadratus lumborum hamstrings, lateral head of gastrocnemius, medial head of gastrocnemius)

Dx: tight hamstrings with at least one tight hamstrings

(19 and 24)

TG: 10

CG1: 10

CG2: 10

TG: Friction massage + PNF

(until there was no tension/tenderness or 90 s)

CG1: PNF

(hold15s, contraction 7s, new position 10s, three set, 30 s of rest between et)

CG2(control): laying on table

(7 min)

immediately after treatment, at 10 and 30 min.

-PPT

-goniometer

- inversed stretch perception (ISP) with algometer and NPR

-pain intensity (PI)

elicited by 3.0 kg/cm2 of pressure

significant improvement in all outcomes after the intervention in TG.

Immediately: PI improved significantly more in TG compare to CG1.

Fallow up: ROM improved significantly more in CG1 compare to TG.

PPT, ROM, ICP and PI improved significantly more in TG compare to CG2.

PPT, ROM, ISP and PI improved significantly more in CG1 compare to CG2.

III

Doley

2013

comparative/India

Active trigger point

(gluteus medius)

Dx: mechanical low back pain

(20–40)

TG: (15) 26.47

CG: (15) 28.07

TG: Friction massage

(10 min)

CG: Positional release technique

(90 s, 5 times)

- Pressure Algometer

Assessments were conducted on the first, fifth, and seventh days. Each group showed significant differences after treatment, but when comparing the groups, only in the seventh session did friction massage show significant improvements in PPT

III

RCT; Randomized Control Trial, TG; Treatment Group, CG; Control Group, VAS; Visual Analog Scale, PPT; Pain pressure threshold, NPRS; Numerical Pain Rating Scale, ROM; Range of Motion, CLF; Cervical Lateral Flexion, FM; Friction massage, HPPTUS; High-power pain threshold ultrasound, WBV; Whole Body Vibration,