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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04832074

Immediate Stiffness Changes in Myofascial Trigger Points After Dry Needling

Shear-wave elastography (SWE) is considered as a useful tool for quantifying muscle stiffness. Considering that Myofascial Trigger Points (MTrP) are defined as "hyperirritable zones in contracted bands of muscle, thought to be caused by muscle overload or stress" and the effectiveness of dry needling applied to active MTrP for reducing pain and disability, the aim of this study is to assess the effects of sham and real dry needling, applied to active MTrP in the upper trapezius muscle in patients with chronic neck pain, on the muscle stiffness in two areas: 1) the most symptomatic area and 2) a control point.

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Key information

Conditions

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

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Francisco de Vitoria University

Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, 28223, Spain

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients between 18 and 65 and
  • Presence of mechanical neck pain for at least three months duration
  • Presence of at least one active MTrP in the Upper Trapezius muscle

Exclusion criteria

  • Neck pain of traumatic origin (such as whiplash-associated disorder)
  • Current use of any kind of analgesic therapy
  • Presenting any condition usually considered a perpetuating factor of MTrPs, such as fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, or iron deficiencies
  • Presenting any contraindication for Dry Needling application
  • Neuropathies (e.g., radiculopathy)
  • Bilateral Pain

Treatment and study plan

dry needling

Other

Real Dry Needling in the most active Myofascial Trigger Point

Sham dry needling

Other

Sham Dry Needling in the same location, but not piercing the skin

Primary outcomes

  1. SWE - Young modulus

    Time frame: Baseline

    KPa

  2. SWE - Young modulus

    Time frame: 10 minutes

    KPa

  3. SWE - Local shear wave speed

    Time frame: Baseline

    m/s

  4. SWE - Local shear wave speed

    Time frame: 10 minutes

    m/s

  5. Pain Pressure Thresholds

    Time frame: Baseline

    kg/cm2

  6. Pain Pressure Thresholds

    Time frame: 10 minutes

    kg/cm2

Secondary outcomes

  1. Visual Analogue Scale

    Time frame: Baseline

    0-10

  2. Neck Disability Index

    Time frame: Baseline

    0-100

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Camilo Jose Cela University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Immediate Stiffness Changes in Upper Trapezius Active Myofascial Trigger Points After Dry Needling in Patients With Neck Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Acronym: ELECTROP

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Apr 5, 2021
Registry last updated
Feb 22, 2022

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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