Immediate Stiffness Changes in Myofascial Trigger Points After Dry Needling

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2021-05-05

Study Completion Date

2021-05-19

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

Shear-wave elastography (SWE) is considered as a useful tool for quantifying muscle stiffness. Considering that Myofascial Trigger Points (MTrP) are defined as "hyperirritable zones in contracted bands of muscle, thought to be caused by muscle overload or stress" and the effectiveness of dry needling applied to active MTrP for reducing pain and disability, the aim of this study is to assess the effects of sham and real dry needling, applied to active MTrP in the upper trapezius muscle in patients with chronic neck pain, on the muscle stiffness in two areas: 1) the most symptomatic area and 2) a control point.

Related Clinical Trials

Explore similar clinical trials based on study characteristics and research focus.

The Effects of Dry Needling on the Superficial Neck Musculature

NCT04060004

Neck Pain

COMPLETED NA

Effect of Dry Needling on Surface Electromyographic Activity in Latent Trigger Points

NCT04684784

Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial

COMPLETED NA

Effects of Dry Needling on Stiffness in Latent Trigger Points

NCT04394741

Trigger Points

COMPLETED NA

Electromyographic´s Differences Between Dry Needling in Tonic or Phasic Skeletal Muscle Fibers.

NCT03813485

Muscle Disorder Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial

UNKNOWN NA

Effect of Dry Needling on Muscle Mechanical Properties and Muscle Contractility in Latent Trigger Points

NCT04466813

Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial

COMPLETED NA

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome Neck Pain Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Dry Needling

Dry needling will be performed with 'solid filiform needles'. The procedure is as follows: The participant will lie in the prone position. The overlying skin will be cleaned with antiseptic spray. The taut band and MTrP, will be localized manually.

After measuring the Pain Pressure Thresholds in this location and the control (located 3 cm lateral to the MTrP), the needle within its plastic guide tube will be placed over the MTrP. After a tapping movement to insert the needle, the needle will be moved to the muscle around the bundle and moved forward and backward to the tissue to elicit a small muscle twitch. After eliciting LTR, needling will be stopped. If no twitch were elicited, needling will stopped after two or three stellate movements

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Dry Needling

Intervention Type OTHER

Real Dry Needling in the most active Myofascial Trigger Point

Sham Dry Needling

The same approach will be used with the exception of piercing the skin. The guide tube will press against the tissue and the sham needle will be allowed to drop against the skin. The handle will be tapped briskly but not breaking the skin. The sham needle will stay within the guide tube and will be pressed against the skin twice so as to mimic the quick "in and out" technique.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Sham Dry Needling

Intervention Type OTHER

Sham Dry Needling in the same location, but not piercing the skin

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Dry Needling

Real Dry Needling in the most active Myofascial Trigger Point

Intervention Type OTHER

Sham Dry Needling

Sham Dry Needling in the same location, but not piercing the skin

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Patients between 18 and 65 and
* Presence of mechanical neck pain for at least three months duration
* Presence of at least one active MTrP in the Upper Trapezius muscle

Exclusion Criteria

* Neck pain of traumatic origin (such as whiplash-associated disorder)
* Current use of any kind of analgesic therapy
* Presenting any condition usually considered a perpetuating factor of MTrPs, such as fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, or iron deficiencies
* Presenting any contraindication for Dry Needling application
* Neuropathies (e.g., radiculopathy)
* Bilateral Pain

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No