Immediate Stiffness Changes in Myofascial Trigger Points After Dry Needling

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Myofascial Pain Syndrome; Neck Pain; Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial
• Interventions: Other: Dry Needling; Other: Sham Dry Needling

• Registration Number: NCT04832074
• Lead Sponsor: Camilo Jose Cela University

Brief Summary

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.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2021-03-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-04-01
• Study First Posted: 2021-04-05
• Status Verified: 2021-05
• Study Start: 2021-05-05
• Primary Completion: 2021-05-18
• Study Completion: 2021-05-19
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-02-20
• Last Update Posted: 2022-02-22

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

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

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Dry Needling	Dry Needling	Dry needling will be performed with 'solid filiform needles'. The procedure is as follows: The participant will lie in the prone position. The overlying skin will be cleaned with antiseptic spray. The taut band and MTrP, will be localized manually. After measuring the Pain Pressure Thresholds in this location and the control (located 3 cm lateral to the MTrP), the needle within its plastic guide tube will be placed over the MTrP. After a tapping movement to insert the needle, the needle will be moved to the muscle around the bundle and moved forward and backward to the tissue to elicit a small muscle twitch. After eliciting LTR, needling will be stopped. If no twitch were elicited, needling will stopped after two or three stellate movements
Sham Dry Needling	Sham Dry Needling	The same approach will be used with the exception of piercing the skin. The guide tube will press against the tissue and the sham needle will be allowed to drop against the skin. The handle will be tapped briskly but not breaking the skin. The sham needle will stay within the guide tube and will be pressed against the skin twice so as to mimic the quick "in and out" technique.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
SWE - Young modulus	10 minutes	KPa
SWE - Local shear wave speed	10 minutes	m/s
Pain Pressure Thresholds	10 minutes	kg/cm2

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Visual Analogue Scale	Baseline	0-10
Neck Disability Index	Baseline	0-100

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Francisco de Vitoria University; 🇪🇸 Pozuelo De Alarcón, Madrid, Spain