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NCT Number: NCT07741227

Electroacupuncture on Neck Muscle Stiffness in Chronic Neck Pain

This randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial aims to investigate the immediate physiological effects of a single session of electroacupuncture (EA) on neck muscle stiffness in individuals with chronic neck pain. While acupuncture is a widely used complementary therapy for musculoskeletal pain, high-quality, objective evidence demonstrating its immediate effects on muscle biomechanics remains limited. This study will utilize Shear Wave Elastography (SWE)-a non-invasive, objective ultrasound-based technology-to measure these changes.

Adult participants aged 18 to 65 with non-specific chronic neck pain (lasting

≥ 3 months) will be randomly allocated into one of two groups:

1. True Electroacupuncture (EA) Group: Participants will receive a 20-minute session of active electroacupuncture with comfortable electrical stimulation at specific neck and tender points. 2. Sham Acupuncture (Placebo) Group: Participants will receive a 20-minute session of non-penetrating sham acupuncture with a deactivated electroacupuncture device to ensure participant blinding.

The primary objective is to evaluate immediate changes in the stiffness of the upper trapezius muscle, measured objectively via SWE (as Young's Modulus in kPa) before and immediately after the intervention. Secondary objectives include assessing immediate post-treatment changes in subjective pain and stiffness (Visual Analogue Scale), Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT), and active Cervical Range of Motion (CROM), alongside a 7-day post-intervention follow-up questionnaire on neck function.

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Key information

Conditions

Chronic Neck Pain

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hong Kong

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Hio Teng Leong

CONTACT

[email protected]

85227666707

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 18-65 years
  • Chronic non-specific neck pain persisting for ≥3 months
  • Average pain intensity ≥3 on a 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale over the past week
  • Pain primarily located in the posterior cervical region, which may radiate to the upper trapezius muscles
  • Able to provide informed consent and sufficient language proficiency to complete questionnaires

Exclusion criteria

  • Specific pathological causes for neck pain (cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy, fracture, infection, tumour, systemic rheumatic disease)
  • History of neck or shoulder surgery
  • Contraindications to acupuncture (severe needle phobia, bleeding disorders, pregnancy)
  • Received acupuncture or other physical therapy for neck pain within the past 6 months

Treatment and study plan

electroacupuncture

Procedure

A single 20-minute session of electroacupuncture administered by a registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner (>10 years experience). Sterile single-use needles (0.25 mm × 25 mm or 0.30 mm × 40 mm) inserted at GB21, GB20, BL10, and local Ashi points on the affected upper trapezius to elicit de-qi. Needle pairs connected to a HANS-200A pulse generator delivering continuous asymmetric biphasic square wave at 2 Hz, pulse duration 200 μs, intensity titrated to maximum comfortable tolerance (checked every 5 min). Applied to the more painful/stiffer side; if bilateral and symmetrical, the dominant side is treated.

sham electroacupuncture

Procedure

A single 20-minute session using validated Streitberger non-penetrating placebo needles at the same acupoints (GB21, GB20, BL10, Ashi). The blunt-tip needle retracts into the handle upon skin contact without penetrating the skin, secured with adhesive rings. The same HANS-200A device is connected but set to a deactivated mode (blinking lights and sounds active, no electrical current delivered). The practitioner follows an identical protocol and communication script as the EA group, including adjusting the intensity dial on the sham device.

Primary outcomes

  1. Upper trapezius shear modulus

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention (within 15 minutes after needle removal, following a 5-minute rest period)

    Shear modulus (kPa) of the upper trapezius muscle measured by shear-wave elastography (SWE) at the midpoint between C7 spinous process and acromion on the treated side. Mean of 3 consecutive measurements. Young's modulus values divided by 3 to obtain shear modulus.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pain intensity (VAS)

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately post-intervention

    Current neck pain intensity measured using a 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale, anchored "no pain" to "worst pain imaginable."

  2. Pressure pain threshold - ipsilateral splenius capitis

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately post-intervention

    PPT (kPa) at approximately 2 cm lateral to C4 spinous process on the treated side.

  3. Pressure pain threshold - contralateral upper trapezius

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately post-intervention

    PPT (kPa) at the UT midpoint on the untreated side.

  4. Pressure pain threshold - contralateral splenius capitis

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately post-intervention

    PPT (kPa) at approximately 2 cm lateral to C4 spinous process on the untreated side.

  5. Pressure pain threshold - bilateral tibialis anterior (remote)

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately post-intervention

    PPT (kPa) over the belly of the tibialis anterior bilaterally, as an extra-cephalic remote reference site.

  6. Cervical range of motion

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately post-intervention

    Active cervical ROM in 6 directions (flexion, extension, left/right lateral flexion, left/right rotation) measured in degrees using a validated smartphone Clinometer application. Mean of 2 closest trials per direction.

Study contacts

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

Hio Teng Leong

CONTACT

[email protected]

85227666707

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Immediate Effect of Electroacupuncture on Neck Muscle Stiffness in Individuals With Chronic Neck Pain

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Aug 3, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 3, 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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