Dry Needling Versus Strain-counterstrain on the Upper Trapezius

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Neck Pain
• Interventions: Other: Strain-counterstrain technique; Other: Dry needling; Other: Placebo manual technique

• Registration Number: NCT01290653
• Lead Sponsor: Cardenal Herrera University

Brief Summary

This study investigates the effect of two different techniques (dry needling and Strain-counterstrain manual technique) on the upper trapezius myofascial trigger point (MTP). Subjects with active or latent MTP in this location of the muscle will be identified and will be randomly assigned to one out of three groups: dry needling, strain-counterstrain or placebo manual technique. Pain pressure threshold, provoked pain, pain at rest, neck disability and electromyography (EMG) activity of the upper trapezius will be registered before and after six sessions of treatment.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2011-02
• Study First Submitted: 2011-02-04
• Study First Submitted QC: 2011-02-04
• Study First Posted: 2011-02-07
• Primary Completion: 2011-07
• Study Completion: 2011-09
• Status Verified: 2014-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-05-13
• Last Update Posted: 2014-05-14

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 39

Inclusion Criteria

• Active myofascial trigger point at the upper trapezius

Exclusion Criteria

• Diagnosed fibromyalgia
• Cervical radiculopathy
• Facial neuralgia
• Coagulation alteration
• Cancer
• Allergy (included needles)
• History of cervical or shoulder surgery
• History of deep venous thrombosis
• History of myopathy
• History of infiltration at upper trapezius trigger point
• Anticoagulant medication
• Aspirin intake during the last 3 days
• Drug intake (AINES, narcotics, antiepileptics, or any other analgesic medication)
• Pregnancy

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Strain-counterstraing technique	Strain-counterstrain technique	This manual technique will be applied at the upper trapezius.
Dry Needling of trigger point	Dry needling	Deep dry needling will be applied on the upper trapezius myofascial trigger point
Placebo manual technique	Placebo manual technique	A technique simulating strain-counterstrain, but without any therapeutic manoeuvre will be applied at the upper trapezius site.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pain Pressure Threshold	6 sessions	Amount of pressure (Kg/cm2) applied at the myofascial trigger point site that elicit pain for the patient will be reported. Analogy pressure algometer(Wagner, FPK 20) will be used.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pain at rest	6 sessions	Visual Analogue Scale
Neck Disability	6 sessions	Neck Disability Index
Electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius	6 sessions	Surface EMG will be recorded (MP 100 de BIOPAC Systems; Goleta, California, USA). Electrodes will be located to register activity of the Upper trapezius, according to Surface ElectroMyoGraphy for the Non-Invasive Assessment of Muscles (SENIAM) guidelines. Microvolts of activity at rest will be recorded. Data will be normalized through calculation of maximal voluntary contraction, so that final data will be reported as a percentage.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera; 🇪🇸 Moncada, Valencia, Spain