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NCT Number: NCT07511751

COMPARISON OF THREE TREATMENT MODALITIES IN MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of dry needling, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), and pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The primary outcomes include pain intensity and functional status. Patients will be randomly assigned to different treatment groups, and outcomes will be evaluated before and after the interventions. The results of this study are expected to contribute to determining the most effective treatment method for pain management.

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Key information

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndrome Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Myofascial Pain Syndromes Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Sakarya Training and Research Hospital

Adapazarı, Sakarya, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

About this study

Myofascial pain syndrome is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by trigger points and chronic pain. Various treatment modalities such as dry needling, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), and pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) are used in clinical practice; however, there is no clear consensus on the most effective approach.

This randomized, parallel-group study aims to compare the effectiveness of these three treatment methods in patients diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome. Eligible patients aged between 18 and 65 years with chronic back pain lasting at least 3 months will be included in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive dry needling, ESWT, or PRF treatment.

Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and functional outcomes will also be evaluated. The study is expected to contribute to the current literature by providing comparative data on these commonly used treatment modalities and guiding clinical decision-making.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age between 18 and 65 years
  • Clinically diagnosed myofascial pain syndrome
  • Back pain lasting at least 3 months
  • Failure to respond to conservative treatments

Exclusion criteria

  • History of cervical surgery or cervical disc pathology
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Shoulder pathologies
  • Coagulation disorders or use of anticoagulant therapy
  • Infection, malignancy, or inflammatory spinal diseases

Treatment and study plan

dry needling

Procedure

Dry needling applied to myofascial trigger points

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

Procedure

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy applied to the painful area

Pulsed radiofrequency(PRF)

Procedure

Pulsed radiofrequency applied to the target area for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain Intensity

    Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment

    Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale(NRS). Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain severity.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pressure Pain Threshold

    Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment

    Pressure pain threshold will be measured using algometry. Pressure pain threshold will be measured using an algometer (kg/cm²). Higher values indicate lower pain sensitivity and improved clinical condition.

  2. Neck Disability Index (NDI)

    Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment

    Functional status will be evaluated using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Functional status will be assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), with scores ranging from 0 to 50. Higher scores indicate greater functional impairment.

  3. Quality of Life (SF-12

    Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment

    Quality of life will be assessed using the Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaire. The SF-12 includes physical and mental component summary scores, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

AYSENUR IMAMOGLU BABA, MD,Resident

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905437866097

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

ALİEMAN

Other

Registry information

Official study title

COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OFF DRY NEEDLING, EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY, AND TRANSCUTANEOUS PULSED RADIOFREQUENCY IN PATIENTS WITH MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME: A PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Acronym: MPS-TREAT

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Apr 6, 2026
Registry last updated
May 7, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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