Effectiveness of Dry Needling Versus Manual Trigger Point Release on Active Rhomboid Trigger Points

NCT07062692 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: REC-01017 Khaist Yousafzai
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 48
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study compares dry needling and manual trigger point release for treating active rhomboid trigger points in 48 patients, assessing pain, ROM, and function. It addresses a gap in evidence for optimal pain management in upper back myofascial pain. Findings will guide clinical practice for more effective, evidence-based interventions.

Conditions

Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial

Keywords

Rhomboid Trigger Points

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Numeric pain rating scale (NPRS)

  A subjective pain assessment tool where patients rate their pain intensity on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).

  2 Weeks

• Goniometer

  The goniometer is a handheld device with a protractor and movable arms used to precisely measure joint range of motion in degrees.

  2 Weeks

• DASH Questionnaire

  The DASH Questionnaire is a 30-item self-report tool assessing upper extremity function and symptoms in daily activities, scored from 0 (no disability) to 100 (severe disability).

  2 Weeks

Study Arms (2)

dry needling trigger release therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

This group will undergo dry needling trigger release therapy. Total of 2 sessions (one per week) followed by home based exercises plan. Treatment protocol of both groups will include Therapeutic ultrasound, Cold pack application and Home based exercise plan.

Other: dry needling trigger release therapy

MANUAL TRIGGER POINT RELEASE

EXPERIMENTAL

Manual trigger release will be given to the other group. Total of 2 sessions (one per week) followed by same home based exercises plan will be given to the both groups. Treatment protocol of both groups will include Therapeutic ultrasound, Cold pack application and Home based exercise plan.

Other: MANUAL TRIGGER POINT RELEASE

Interventions

dry needling trigger release therapy OTHER

The dry needling intervention involved inserting sterile filiform needles directly into active rhomboid trigger points for 1-2 sessions (1 session/week) to elicit local twitch responses and relieve tension.

dry needling trigger release therapy

MANUAL TRIGGER POINT RELEASE OTHER

The manual trigger point release intervention involved applying sustained pressure to active rhomboid trigger points followed by passive stretching to release muscle tension and improve mobility.

MANUAL TRIGGER POINT RELEASE

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Presence of a clinically confirmed active trigger point in the rhomboid muscle based on established criteria (e.g., palpable tight band, local tenderness, referred pain pattern).
• Pain Level: Moderate to severe pain intensity (e.g., 4 or higher on a Visual Analog Scale or Numeric Pain Rating Scale).
• Duration of Symptoms: pain for at least 4 weeks.

You may not qualify if:

• Patient with conditions that may contribute to neck and subscapular pain other than rhomboid:
• fibromyalgia
• Rheumatic and inflammatory disease
• Recent Surgery
• Diabatic
• Cervical radiculopathy and nerve entrapment
• Pregnancy
• Malignancy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Riphah International University, Malakand

Chakdara, KPK, 18800, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndromes

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases

Study Officials

• Amna Anum, ms

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 3, 2025
• First Posted: July 14, 2025
• Study Start: April 23, 2025
• Primary Completion: July 28, 2025
• Study Completion: December 31, 2025
• Last Updated: April 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)