Taking people in PakistanNo phase

Comparative Effectiveness of Myofacial Release vs Cupping Therapy on Quality of Life in Restless Leg Syndrome With Knee O.A.

Key facts

Who runs it: Dow University of Health Sciences
Where: Karachi, PakistanSee the site
Trial code: NCT06918847
Status: Recruiting
People taking part: 54 people, planned
Started: 5 May 2025
Planned end: Jul 2026
Type of study: Interventional, 2 groups
Treatments tested: Myofacial release
Dynamic cupping therapy
Record updated: 7 October 2025

Who can take part

Age: 40 years to 70 years
Sex: Women and men
Healthy volunteers: Cannot take part

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 8 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

grade 2, 3 and 4 knee OA by the Kellgren Lawrence classification
Bilateral or unilateral both knee OA
Age 40 to 70 years
Patients who were meeting the International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) eligibility criteria

Who cannot take part

patients with neurological disorders
Medical conditions covering (cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, severe psychiatric illness or pregnancy)
patients with cognitive dysfunction
Rheumatoid arthritis

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

Are you between 40 and 70 years old?

Where in Pakistan

Dow institute of physical medicine and rehabilitationKarachi, PakistanContact: Syeda Tooba Batool, doctor of physical therapyTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

The aim of this study is to determine effectiveness of Myofascial Release and Cupping Therapy on Quality of Life in Restless Leg Syndrome with knee Osteoarthritis. Holding this aim, a Randomized control trial will be conducted at physiotherapy out patient department of Dow Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Read full original descriptionShow less

The subjects will first be screened by the principal investigator, physiotherapist, using the criteria of International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG). Each selected subject will go for random allocation in one of the two treatment groups with different interventions with the help of a computer-generated randomization sheet. The group A will be provided with myofacial release whereas the group B will receive cupping therapy while cryotherapy and passive lower limb stretches (hamstring and calf muscles) will be applied to both the groups as standard treatment. Assessment will be done at baseline and will re-evaluate at the post intervention session through an assessment form. Physical therapist but not the principal investigator will assess who will be unaware to the type of intervention administered.

Outcome measures will be Pittsburgh sleep quality index, Visual Analog Scale for pain assessment, Restless leg syndrome Quality of life questionnaire (RLS-QOL), International Restless leg syndrome Study Group Rating Scale (IRLSSG RS) and passive straight leg raise (PSLR). Total 12 sessions will be given for duration of 4weeks on alternate days.

The 2 groups in the trial

Group A will be given treatment with myofacial releaseTreatment being tested
Myofascial release (MFR) for the calf muscle will be administered with the patient in a prone position, holding for 120 seconds. The Myofacial release technique involves allowing the lateral aspect of the therapist's thumb to sink into the central portion of the muscle belly. Myofacial release will be performed for 15 minutes.
Treatment: Myofacial release
Group B will be given treatment with dynamic cupping therapyTreatment being tested
In dynamic cupping therapy, patients will be comfortably positioned in a prone position, ensuring that the lower limb is exposed and accessible for treatment. Appropriately sized cups will be selected and applied to the calf and hamstrings region. Prior to application, a small amount of lubricant or oil will be applied to facilitate the smooth movement of the cups over the skin surface during the therapy. The technique of dynamic cupping will involve compressing the cups and gently situating them onto the area being treated, applying the necessary force to generate negative pressure. The duration of dynamic cupping therapy will be 10 minutes.
Treatment: Dynamic cupping therapy