Therapeutic Effectiveness of Dry Needling and Acupressure Therapy Among Patients With Cervicogenic Headache

NCT ID: NCT07192497

Last Updated: 2025-09-25

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

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

80 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-08-10

Study Completion Date

2025-07-14

Brief Summary

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A randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a pre-test and post-test design will be conducted to compare the therapeutic effectiveness of Dry Needling (DN), Acupressure Therapy (AT), and their combination (DN + AT) against a control group receiving Hot Pack Therapy in patients diagnosed with Cervicogenic Headache (CH).

This study follows the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines to ensure methodological transparency and rigor. The trial design includes:

* Randomization: Participants will be randomly assigned into four study groups.
* Blinding: A single-blind approach will be used, where participants are unaware of their group allocation, while the researchers administering the intervention will be aware.
* Follow-up Period: Pre-assessment at baseline, post-intervention assessment, and 2-week follow-up.
* Data Analysis: Standardized assessment tools will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of each intervention.

Detailed Description

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Study Duration Total Duration: 1 year Intervention Period: 2 weeks Follow-Up: Pre-test, post-test, and 2-week follow-up Intervention Procedures

1. Group A (Dry Needling Therapy - DN)

* 06 sessions over 2 weeks
* Needling sites: Myofascial trigger points in cervical muscles
* Session duration: 20-30 minutes
* Post-treatment: Cryotherapy (5 minutes)
2. Group B (Acupressure Therapy - AT)

* 06 sessions over 2 weeks
* Pressure applied to cervical acupressure points
* Post-treatment: Cryotherapy (10 minutes)
3. Group C (Combined Therapy - DN + AT)

* 06 sessions over 2 weeks
* Both DN and AT applied in sequence
* Post-treatment: Cryotherapy (10-15 minutes)
4. Group D (Control - Hot Pack Therapy)

* 06 sessions over 2 weeks
* 15-minute heat therapy per session
* No active intervention

Conditions

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Cervicogenic Headache

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants
only participants were unaware of treatment selection and choice of techniques would be applied.

Study Groups

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Group A - Dry Needling (n=20)

Dry needling at Myofascial trigger points

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

DRY NEEDLING

Intervention Type OTHER

Myofacial trigger point dry needling used to treat taught bands superficial or deep inside of muscles .

Group B- Acupressure (n=20)

Manual pressure applied at cervical and shoulder acupressure points

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Acupressure

Intervention Type OTHER

Acupressure therapy based on traditional Chinese principles

Group C - Dry needling and Acupressure (n=20)

Dry needling and acupressure therapy will be applied in the same session

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Dry needling and Acupressure therapy

Intervention Type OTHER

combination of dry needling and acupressure therapy on cervical trigger points

Control Group D - Hot Pack (n=20)

Passive heat therapy applied to the cervical spine

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Hot Pack

Intervention Type OTHER

Hot fermentation will be applied on cervical pain area

Interventions

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DRY NEEDLING

Myofacial trigger point dry needling used to treat taught bands superficial or deep inside of muscles .

Intervention Type OTHER

Acupressure

Acupressure therapy based on traditional Chinese principles

Intervention Type OTHER

Dry needling and Acupressure therapy

combination of dry needling and acupressure therapy on cervical trigger points

Intervention Type OTHER

Hot Pack

Hot fermentation will be applied on cervical pain area

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

Male and female patients aged 20 to 50 years Diagnosed with Cervicogenic Headache (CGH) based on International Headache Society (IHS) diagnostic criteria Chronic CGH symptoms (i.e., persisting for at least 3 months) No previous dry needling (DN) or acupressure therapy (AT) within the last 6 months Able and willing to provide informed consent and comply with treatment and follow-up protocols
Minimum Eligible Age

20 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

50 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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National Health Care Center (NHC) The Doctors Plaza Physical Therapy

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Atif Hussain

Principal investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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professor Dr. Sateesh babu Natarajan Supervisor, PhD

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Lincoln University College Malaysia

Locations

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NHC(Doctors plaza physical therapy and Rehabilitation Centre)

Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

Site Status

Countries

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Pakistan

References

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507862/

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Related Links

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Other Identifiers

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LUC/CPGS/PDFRA/PDA20250530/001

Identifier Type: REGISTRY

Identifier Source: secondary_id

LUC/CPGS/PDFRA/PDA20250530/001

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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