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NCT Number: NCT07192497

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Cervicogenic Headache Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Headache Headache Disorders Headache Disorders, Secondary Neck Pain Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Post-Traumatic Headache Signs and Symptoms

Age range

20 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

NHC(Doctors plaza physical therapy and Rehabilitation Centre)

Karachi, Sindh, 75600, Pakistan

About this study

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

  • 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)
  • Group B (Acupressure Therapy - AT)
  • 06 sessions over 2 weeks
  • Pressure applied to cervical acupressure points
  • Post-treatment: Cryotherapy (10 minutes)
  • Group C (Combined Therapy - DN + AT)
  • 06 sessions over 2 weeks
  • Both DN and AT applied in sequence
  • Post-treatment: Cryotherapy (10-15 minutes)
  • Group D (Control - Hot Pack Therapy)
  • 06 sessions over 2 weeks
  • 15-minute heat therapy per session
  • No active intervention

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

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

Exclusion criteria

History of cervical spine surgery, significant trauma, or vertebral tumors/neoplasms Congenital spinal deformities (e.g., scoliosis, spina bifida) Diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy, vestibular disorders, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, or cervical fractures Current use of anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, or analgesics that may affect pain perception Diagnosed neurological, musculoskeletal, or orthopaedic conditions that affect balance, gait, or functional mobility Pregnancy (optional, often excluded in physiotherapy/dry needling trials)

Treatment and study plan

dry needling

Other

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

Acupressure

Other

Acupressure therapy based on traditional Chinese principles

Dry needling and Acupressure therapy

Other

combination of dry needling and acupressure therapy on cervical trigger points

Hot pack

Other

Hot fermentation will be applied on cervical pain area

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, NPRS)

    Time frame: 04 weeks

    Pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, NPRS) that is comprises over no's from 0 to 10 .

    0 consider as no pain while 10 considered as worst pain.

Secondary outcomes

  1. secondary out come measures

    Time frame: A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup

    Cervical range of motion

  2. functional status

    Time frame: A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup

    functional status by (Patient-Specific Functional Scale, PSFS).

  3. Quality of life of patients with cervicogenic headache

    Time frame: A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup

    impact on human Quality of life of patients with cervicogenic headache will be measured by using Headache Impact Test

  4. Psycho-social characteristics

    Time frame: A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup

    Psycho-social characteristics by (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21, DASS-21

  5. Sleep quality

    Time frame: A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup

    Sleep quality by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

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

Other

Registry information

Acronym: headache

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Sep 25, 2025
Registry last updated
Sep 25, 2025

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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