Treatment of Upper Trapezius Muscle Myofascial Pain Syndrome

NCT ID: NCT06546124

Last Updated: 2026-01-27

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 80 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-08-11
• Study Completion Date: 2025-04-01

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of superficial and deep dry needling techniques, guided by ultrasound, on pain, disability, functional impairment, and quality of life in patients diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome of the upper trapezius muscle.

Detailed Description

Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MAS) is a common condition encountered in the daily practice of musculoskeletal medicine. Dry needling is a commonly used technique by clinicians in the treatment of myofascial trigger points. Dry needling can be classified into two main categories based on the depth of needle insertion: superficial and deep dry needling. Dry needling can be performed using either manual palpation techniques or ultrasonographic imaging. Ultrasound allows for more precise needle placement. It must be recognized that the depth of needling (superficial insertion vs. deep insertion) varies for every structure and that without ultrasound guidance, differentiation between needling into the superficial fascia and beyond the deep fascia maybe difficult. In clinical settings, using ultrasound can help visualize the different layers and guide the needle to the appropriate depth. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of deep fascia and intramuscular trigger point dry needling techniques, guided by ultrasound, on pain, disability, functional impairment, and quality of life in patients diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome of the upper trapezius muscle.

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

Deep fascia dry needling technique

Deep fascia dry needling technique

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Deep Fascia Dry needling Technique

Intervention Type: OTHER

"Participants will undergo a single session of dry needling on the painful area of the upper trapezius muscle on the right and/or left side of the neck, either unilaterally or bilaterally. All participants will be positioned upright in a chair with their backs supported, heads in a neutral position, and arms at their sides. A myofascial trigger point on the upper trapezius muscle will be marked. A sterile acupuncture needle, 0.25 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length, will be used. Under ultrasound guidance, the needle will be inserted at three points, including 1 cm lateral and medial to the marked point, penetrating subcutaneously to the deep fascia. After leaving the needle in place for 5 minutes, it will be rotated clockwise and left in place for an additional 5 minutes. The needles will be removed after a total of 10 minutes. Participants will be advised to perform upper trapezius stretching exercises."

İntramuscular trigger point dry needling technique

İntramuscular trigger point dry needling technique

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Intramuscular Trigger Point Dry Needling Technique

Intervention Type: OTHER

"Participants will undergo a single session of dry needling on the painful area of the upper trapezius muscle on the right and/or left side of the neck, either unilaterally or bilaterally. All participants will be positioned upright in a chair with their backs supported, heads in a neutral position, and arms at their sides. A myofascial trigger point on the upper trapezius muscle will be marked. A sterile acupuncture needle, 0.25 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length, will be used. Under ultrasound guidance, the needle will be inserted at three points, including 1 cm lateral and medial to the marked point, penetrating through the deep fascia into the upper trapezius muscle. After leaving the needle in place for 5 minutes, it will be rotated clockwise and left in place for an additional 5 minutes. The needles will be removed after a total of 10 minutes. Participants will be advised to perform upper trapezius stretching exercises."

Interventions

Deep Fascia Dry needling Technique

"Participants will undergo a single session of dry needling on the painful area of the upper trapezius muscle on the right and/or left side of the neck, either unilaterally or bilaterally. All participants will be positioned upright in a chair with their backs supported, heads in a neutral position, and arms at their sides. A myofascial trigger point on the upper trapezius muscle will be marked. A sterile acupuncture needle, 0.25 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length, will be used. Under ultrasound guidance, the needle will be inserted at three points, including 1 cm lateral and medial to the marked point, penetrating subcutaneously to the deep fascia. After leaving the needle in place for 5 minutes, it will be rotated clockwise and left in place for an additional 5 minutes. The needles will be removed after a total of 10 minutes. Participants will be advised to perform upper trapezius stretching exercises."

Intervention Type: OTHER

Intramuscular Trigger Point Dry Needling Technique

"Participants will undergo a single session of dry needling on the painful area of the upper trapezius muscle on the right and/or left side of the neck, either unilaterally or bilaterally. All participants will be positioned upright in a chair with their backs supported, heads in a neutral position, and arms at their sides. A myofascial trigger point on the upper trapezius muscle will be marked. A sterile acupuncture needle, 0.25 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length, will be used. Under ultrasound guidance, the needle will be inserted at three points, including 1 cm lateral and medial to the marked point, penetrating through the deep fascia into the upper trapezius muscle. After leaving the needle in place for 5 minutes, it will be rotated clockwise and left in place for an additional 5 minutes. The needles will be removed after a total of 10 minutes. Participants will be advised to perform upper trapezius stretching exercises."

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Diagnosis of MPS in the upper trapezius muscle in accordance with criteria defined by Travell and Simons

2. Ages between 20 and 50 years

3. No treatment, including injections, dry needling, and physical methods, applied to the cervical region in the last three months

Exclusion Criteria

1. Bleeding Tendency

2. History of Neck and Shoulder Trauma

3. Other Conditions Affecting Neck and Shoulder Pain: including malignancy, infection, rheumatic diseases, degenerative joint disease, fibromyalgia, cervical radiculopathy, neuropathy, myelopathy, myopathy, adhesive capsulitis, etc.

4. Cases Where Evaluation Could Not Be Completed for Any Reason

5. Patients Who Refuse to Complete the Evaluations

• Minimum Eligible Age: 20 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 50 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Abant Izzet Baysal University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Serdar Kilinc

assistant professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Abant Izzet Baysal University

Bolu, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

AIBU-FTR-SK-07

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id