NCT03605576

Brief Summary

This is a randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of Fu's subcutaneous needle (FSN) and Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on chronic neck pain by using more objective assessment tools such as Neck Disability Index, Visual Analog Scales, Pressure Pain Threshold and Myotone of MTrPs of Upper Trapezius Muscles, Range of Motion of Stretch of Upper Trapezius Muscle, and Pittsburgh sleep quality index.

Trial Health

43
At Risk

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
90

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started May 2018

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
unknown

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

May 1, 2018

Completed
8 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

May 9, 2018

Completed
3 months until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 30, 2018

Completed
7 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

February 28, 2019

Completed
1 month until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

April 12, 2019

Completed
Last Updated

July 30, 2018

Status Verified

July 1, 2018

Enrollment Period

10 months

First QC Date

May 9, 2018

Last Update Submit

July 26, 2018

Conditions

Keywords

Fu's subcutaneous needleTranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Visual Analog Scales

    The visual analogue scale or visual analog scale (VAS) is a psychometric response scale which can be used in questionnaires. It is a measurement instrument for subjective characteristics or attitudes that cannot be directly measured. When responding to a VAS item, respondents specify their level of agreement to a statement by indicating a position along a continuous line between two end-points.

    1 day

Secondary Outcomes (4)

  • Neck Disability Index

    1 week

  • Pressure Pain Threshold

    1day

  • Myotone of MTrPs

    1day

  • Pittsburgh sleep quality index

    1 week

Study Arms (2)

Fu's subcutaneous needling

EXPERIMENTAL

In this arm, the subjects will receive the intervention of FSN on Day1, Day2 and Day4, in total 3 treatments and will be arrange to take efficacy two assessment on Day8 and Day15, separately.

Procedure: Fu's subcutaneous needling

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

In this arm, the subjects will receive the intervention of TENS on Day1, Day2 and Day4, in total 3 treatments and will be arrange to take efficacy two assessment on Day8 and Day15, separately.

Procedure: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

Interventions

Fu's Subcutaneous Needle (FSN), is an innovation for the treatment of myofascial pain and trigger points. The needle is a non-injection needle, and the fact that both needles are manipulated and act on soft connective tissue. FSN abstains from the muscle and deep fascia layers and is confined to only the subcutaneous layer where collagen fibers are most abundant. As the subcutaneous layer is poorly innervated, pain is less than other needling therapies. FSN is also currently being used successfully to treat non-musculoskeletal conditions.

Fu's subcutaneous needling

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS or TNS) is the use of electric current produced by a device to stimulate the nerves for therapeutic purposes. TENS, by definition, covers the complete range of transcutaneously applied currents used for nerve excitation although the term is often used with a more restrictive intent, namely to describe the kind of pulses produced by portable stimulators used to treat pain. The unit is usually connected to the skin using two or more electrodes. A typical batteryoperated TENS unit is able to modulate pulse width, frequency and intensity. Generally TENS is applied at high frequency (\>50 Hz) with an intensity below motor contraction (sensory intensity) or low frequency (\<10 Hz) with an intensity that produces motor contraction.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

Eligibility Criteria

Age20 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Having chronic neck pain for more than 2 months and subjective subjective pain intensity (VAS) greater than 5 points.
  • Patients with myofascial pain diagnosed with unilateral upper trapezius muscle.
  • This pain is not effective for previous medication or physical therapy.

You may not qualify if:

  • Contraindications for general treatment, such as serious medical problems, recent trauma, or pregnancy.
  • There has been a history of drug abuse (including excess alcohol) that affects pain assessors.
  • Have received neck, upper back, or upper and lower limb surgery.
  • People with central or peripheral nerve disease.
  • Cognitive dysfunction cannot be matched with the experimenter.
  • People with cardiac pacemakers, epilepsy, etc. cannot place electrode patches on the skin.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

China Medical University Hospital

Taichung, 999079, Taiwan

RECRUITING

Related Publications (1)

  • Huang CH, Tsai LH, Sun MF, Fu Z, Sun J, Chou LW. Rapid Improvement in Neck Disability, Mobility, and Sleep Quality with Chronic Neck Pain Treated by Fu's Subcutaneous Needling: A Randomized Control Study. Pain Res Manag. 2022 Sep 30;2022:7592873. doi: 10.1155/2022/7592873. eCollection 2022.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Interventions

Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sleep Disorders, IntrinsicDyssomniasSleep Wake DisordersNervous System DiseasesMental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Electric Stimulation TherapyTherapeuticsPhysical Therapy ModalitiesRehabilitationAnalgesiaAnesthesia and Analgesia

Study Officials

  • Li-Wei Chou, PhD

    China Medical University Hospital

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Minister of Rehabilitation

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

May 9, 2018

First Posted

July 30, 2018

Study Start

May 1, 2018

Primary Completion

February 28, 2019

Study Completion

April 12, 2019

Last Updated

July 30, 2018

Record last verified: 2018-07

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations