Effectiveness of Dry Needling Versus Manual Trigger Point Release on Active Rhomboid Trigger Points

NCT ID: NCT07062692

Last Updated: 2025-07-14

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 48 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-07-23
• Study Completion Date: 2026-02-28

Brief Summary

This study compares dry needling and manual trigger point release for treating active rhomboid trigger points in 48 patients, assessing pain, ROM, and function. It addresses a gap in evidence for optimal pain management in upper back myofascial pain. Findings will guide clinical practice for more effective, evidence-based interventions.

Detailed Description

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigates the effectiveness of dry needling versus manual trigger point release in treating active rhomboid trigger points. The study aims to compare the effect of two interventions on pain, range of motion (ROM), and functional outcomes in patients with rhomboid muscle pain.

Participants: 48 individuals (aged 20-60) with clinically confirmed active rhomboid trigger points.

Interventions:

Group 1: Dry needling therapy.

Group 2: Manual trigger point release. Both groups receive adjunct therapies (ultrasound, cold packs, and home exercises).

Outcome Measures: Pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), ROM (goniometer), and function (DASH Questionnaire).

Duration: 2-week intervention with follow-ups at 1 and 2 weeks.

Significance: The study addresses a gap in evidence for rhomboid trigger point treatments, guiding clinical decisions for pain management. Results may optimize therapeutic approaches for upper back pain.

Conditions

Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

dry needling trigger release therapy

This group will undergo dry needling trigger release therapy. Total of 2 sessions (one per week) followed by home based exercises plan. Treatment protocol of both groups will include Therapeutic ultrasound, Cold pack application and Home based exercise plan.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

dry needling trigger release therapy

Intervention Type: OTHER

The dry needling intervention involved inserting sterile filiform needles directly into active rhomboid trigger points for 1-2 sessions (1 session/week) to elicit local twitch responses and relieve tension.

MANUAL TRIGGER POINT RELEASE

Manual trigger release will be given to the other group. Total of 2 sessions (one per week) followed by same home based exercises plan will be given to the both groups. Treatment protocol of both groups will include Therapeutic ultrasound, Cold pack application and Home based exercise plan.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

MANUAL TRIGGER POINT RELEASE

Intervention Type: OTHER

The manual trigger point release intervention involved applying sustained pressure to active rhomboid trigger points followed by passive stretching to release muscle tension and improve mobility.

Interventions

dry needling trigger release therapy

The dry needling intervention involved inserting sterile filiform needles directly into active rhomboid trigger points for 1-2 sessions (1 session/week) to elicit local twitch responses and relieve tension.

Intervention Type: OTHER

MANUAL TRIGGER POINT RELEASE

The manual trigger point release intervention involved applying sustained pressure to active rhomboid trigger points followed by passive stretching to release muscle tension and improve mobility.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Presence of a clinically confirmed active trigger point in the rhomboid muscle based on established criteria (e.g., palpable tight band, local tenderness, referred pain pattern).
• Pain Level: Moderate to severe pain intensity (e.g., 4 or higher on a Visual Analog Scale or Numeric Pain Rating Scale).
• Duration of Symptoms: pain for at least 4 weeks.

Exclusion Criteria

• Patient with conditions that may contribute to neck and subscapular pain other than rhomboid:
• fibromyalgia
• Rheumatic and inflammatory disease
• Recent Surgery
• Diabatic
• Cervical radiculopathy and nerve entrapment
• Pregnancy
• Malignancy

• Minimum Eligible Age: 20 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 60 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Riphah International University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Amna Anum, ms

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Riphah International University

Locations

Riphah International University, Malakand

Chakdara, KPK, Pakistan

Countries

Pakistan

Central Contacts

Amna Anum, mS

Role: CONTACT

amna.anum@riphah.edu.pk

03324896605

Other Identifiers

REC-01017 Khaist Yousafzai

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id