Muscle Position and Dry Needling Efficacy

NCT07629141 · tracked via the Priya Life Science Spain tracker

Sponsor

University of Alcala

Phase

Not applicable

Started

2026-06-08

Last updated

2026-07-01

Condition(s) studied

Neck PainHeadache

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Dry needling technique with the shoulder in full adduction.Dry needling technique with the shoulder in 90° abduction.

Dry needling technique with the shoulder in full adduction.: Ten incisions will be made in a posteroanterior direction while the patient lies prone and the muscle is grasped with a pincer grip between the first three fingers. The technique will be applied to the area that is mechanically most hyperalgesic and related to the reproduction of the patient's pain.

Dry needling technique with the shoulder in 90° abduction.: Ten incisions will be made in a posteroanterior direction while the patient lies prone and the muscle is grasped with a pincer grip between the first three fingers. The technique will be applied to the area that is mechanically most hyperalgesic and related to the reproduction of the patient's pain.

Study summary

Currently, no previous studies have investigated how the position of a muscle before dry needling may influence the outcome and effectiveness of the treatment.

This study aims to demonstrate whether the position of the upper trapezius muscle during dry needling treatment influences the outcome of that treatment in subjects with neck pain.

A total of 46 participants with chronic neck pain will be recruited and randomly assigned to two groups: a dry needling group with the muscle in a stretched position and a dry needling group with the muscle in a shortened position. A total of two treatment sessions will be performed, separated by a 7-day interval. The primary outcome measure will be the intensity of neck and head pain, measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). Other variables to be measured include the cervical disability index, kinesiophobia, and catastrophizing (using a self-completion questionnaire), as well as participants' expectations and post-needling pain.

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Min age

18 Years

Max age

80 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 65 years * Neck pain lasting more than 3 months * Current neck pain greater than 3/10 on the VAS (Visual Analog Scale) * Presence of active trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle, meeting the following criteria: Painful point within a taut band whose palpation reproduces the patient's symptoms. Exclusion Criteria: * Neck pain with a medical diagnosis (fractures, arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc.) * Radicular pain (paresthesia, burning, electric shocks) * Whiplash or any recent trauma * Previous surgery * Treatment by another physiotherapist within the last 3 months * Infections * Needle phobia * Use of anticoagulant medications * Pregnancy * Fibromyalgia * Metal allergies * Cognitive deficits or communication problems

Primary outcome measure(s)

The visual analog scale (VAS) — Change from baseline at 3 months
Intensity of neck and head pain: This was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). It consists of a 10 cm horizontal line, where 0 cm on the left side represents "no pain" and 10 cm on the right side represents "maximum pain." The subject marks a perpendicular line at the point they consider to represent their pain intensity. The examiner then places a millimeter ruler on the scale, assigning a numerical value to the line drawn by the patient. The VAS has proven to be a valid and reliable tool (intraclass correlation coefficient \[ICC\] 0.71-0.99).

Trial sites (2)

Facility	City	Region	Status
Clinical University Physiotherapy and pain	Alcalá de Henares	Madrid	Recruiting
Physioterapy and Pain center research	Alcalá de Henares	Madrid	Recruiting

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Other trials for the same condition

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Effects of Education and Exercise on Pain, Psychosocial Factors, and Upper Limb Function in Non-specific Neck Pain. Recruiting

Percutaneous Needle Electrolysis (PNE) on the Concha of the Ear Recruiting

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Official registry record

This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.

View NCT07629141 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ ← All trials in Spain