Table 2.

Details of included studies

Intervention Duration	Reference	Outcome measures	Results
immediate	Fernández-de-las-Peñas et al. 2006	- VAS - Algometer	Both groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention. No significant difference was observed between groups.
	Sadeghnia, et al. 2023	-VAS - Algometer - Goniometer	Both groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention. ROM of CLF increased significantly more in the HPPTUS group
	Sadeghnia, et al. 2023	- 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.
	Trampas 2010	-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.
Short-term	Mohamadi et al. 2017	- 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.
	Basu 2017	-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
	Rizwana 2024	-NPRS -ALROM	Both groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention. NPRS and ALROM improved significantly more in PRT.
long-term	Ekici et al. 2021	-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
	Ammara et al. 2023	-NPRS - Goniometer	Both groups show significant improvement in outcomes after the intervention. No significant difference was observed between groups.
	Bukhari 2020	-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.
	Yasin 2019	-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.

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,