Comparing Efficacy of Dry Needling Combined with Passive Stretching and Muscle Energy Technique on Myofascial Trigger Points

NCT06780904 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: DPTAHS
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 46
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess and compare the efficacy of dry needling (minimally invasive treatment by using a tiny needle) combined with two types of stretching techniques in patients with neck pain for more than 3 months. The main questions it aims to answer are: Which combination of treatment will 1.give faster relief of pain? 2.improve neck range of motion? and 3.improve disability level of a person with neck pain. Participants who are interested will be selected according to eligibility criteria. Participants will be divided into two groups. Initially researcher will assess and interview the participants. Two groups will receive two different combinations of interventions. Pre and post measurements will be obtained and then treatment efficacy will be assessed.

Conditions

Neck Pain

Keywords

myofascial trigger points; passive stretching; dry needling; Muscle Energy Technique (MET); Randomized clinical trial; Upper trapezius

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Neck pain

  Visual Analog Scale (VAS) 0: Represents the minimum value, such as "no pain" or "no discomfort." 100: Represents the maximum value, such as "worst pain imaginable" or "extreme discomfort.

  2 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Neck Range of Motion

  2 weeks

• Neck disability level

  2 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Treatment group 1

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Dry needling + Passive stretching

Procedure: Dry Needling

Treatment group 2

OTHER

Dry needling + Muscle Energy technique

Procedure: Dry Needling

Interventions

Dry Needling PROCEDURE

Treatment protocol: 1. Dry needling: Prone position, identify trigger points in upper trapezius, use Hong technique with 50mm/0.25 gauge needle, eliciting local twitch response. 2. Passive stretching: Supine position, cervical spine stretched just short of restriction, hold for 30s with 20s rest, repeat 3 times. 3. Muscle Energy Technique: Supine position, identify restriction barrier, move spine away from barrier, instruct patient to isometrically contract opposing movement (25% strength), hold for 7-10s, then stretch towards new barrier for 30s, repeat 3 times.

Also known as: Passive Stretching, Muscle energy Technique

Treatment group 1; Treatment group 2

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Presence of neck pain for at least 3 months or more
• Presence of trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle, either unilaterally or bilaterally
• Age between 18 and 60 years

You may not qualify if:

• Having an ongoing infection or fever
• Presence of shoulder pathology, such as tendinopathy, impingement syndrome, capsulitis, or bursitis
• History of direct trauma to the shoulder or neck
• Immunosuppressed individuals (e.g., those with cancer)
• Pregnant or recently delivered
• Diagnosis of fibromyalgia
• History of previous neck or shoulder surgery
• Previous local steroid injection or acupuncture
• Any abnormality that restricts cervical range of motion (e.g., degenerative changes, cervical spine spondylolisthesis, disc protrusion, extrusion, or sequestration observed in MRI)
• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
• Needle phobia
• Metal allergies
• Cervical instability
• Presence of local skin lesions or infections
• Significant cognitive impairment or uncooperative behavior

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Peradeniya: lead

Study Sites (1)

National Hospital Kandy

Kandy, Central Province, 20000, Sri Lanka

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain

Interventions

Dry Needling; Muscle Stretching Exercises

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Central Study Contacts

Dissanayake

CONTACT

0702797349; dilmini008.dd@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Single blinded (Participants)
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Physiotherapist

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 31, 2024
• First Posted: January 17, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: March 1, 2025
• Study Completion: March 1, 2025
• Last Updated: January 17, 2025

Record last verified: 2024-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SR (1)