Background: Scapular dyskinesis (‘dys’—alteration of, ‘kinesis’—movement) is a collective term that refers to movement of the scapula that is dysfunctional. The Upper Trapezius (UT) muscle has been found to be often affected by MTrPs. Common symptoms in individuals with MTrPs in the UT muscle include a taut and painful muscle, tension headache, neck pain, dizziness or vertigo, limited neck, and shoulder ROM. The former technique Dry needling is used to treat myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), which are described as localized hypersensitive spots in a palpable taut band of muscle, and the other is Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) is a popular therapeutic approach for myofascial restrictions. As college students have to carry heavy bag pack, their scapular stabilizer muscle may become weaken due to continuous stress. Hence this study was undertaken to find out the effectiveness of either Dry needling or Instrumented assisted soft tissue manipulation in case of scapular dyskinesia with trapezitis among college students.

Purpose of the Study: Aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Dry Needling versus Instrumented Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on scapular dyskinesia in college students with trapezitis, and objective is to determine the effect of Dry Needling on Scapular Dyskinesia in college students with Trapezitis, and to determine the effect of Instrumented Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization technique on scapular dyskinesia in college students with Trapezitis, and to compare the effectiveness of Dry Needling versus Instrumented Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization technique on scapular dyskinesia in college students with Trapezitis.

Methods: A comparative study was conducted in M.B Gohil Institute of Medical Science and Research Center, College of Physiotherapy, Navsari (OPD) on 40 college students including both male and female of Navsari district based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Outcome of the study that is Dynamic scapular motion test, Pressure pain threshold scale, Lateral scapular slide test and Numeric pain rating scale were assessed for each college students with prior inform consent form signed by the participant. Comparison of the effectiveness of Dry needling and IASTM Tool was done statistically.

Outcome Measure: (1) NPRS (2) Pressure Pain Thresold Scale (3) Dynamic Scapular Motion Test (4) Lateral Scapular Slide Test.

Statistical Analysis: Statistical Analysis was done by using SPSS 20 software. Results: In Study, within group comparisons showed a significant improvement in NPRS, PPTS, LSST of group-a and group-b. p value (<0.005) whereas, in between group there was no significant difference found i.e., Dry needling and instrumented assisted soft tissue mobilization have similar effects on active mayo-facial trigger points of upper trapezius muscle.

Conclusion: This study suggests that Dry Needling and soft tissue mobilization with myorelease tool may have similar effects on active trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle, which include reducing the pain intensity, increasing the pressure pain threshold and improving LSST.