Comparison of the Effectiveness of Exercise, Dry Needling and Interfascial Block Treatments in the Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome

NCT07490366 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2024KAEK18
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 78
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aimed to compare interfascial block therapy with commonly used exercise therapy and conventional invasive dry needling therapy, and to evaluate its effectiveness and superiority. Another objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the short-term and long-term effectiveness of interfascial block, dry needling, and exercise therapies on pain, disability, and quality of life in patients with myofascial pain syndrome. In this respect, our study is important in terms of its contribution to the literature.

Conditions

Myofascial Pain of Upper Trapezius Muscle

Keywords

myofascial pain; hydrodissection; dry needling; exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Visual Analog Scale

  0-10 scale. Higher scores represent more severe pain.

  before treatment, 30 minutes after the last session, and 12 weeks after the start of treatment.

• Cervical Range of Motion

  Will measure flexion/extension, lateral bending, rotation, protraction/retraction in degrees.

  before treatment, 30 minutes after the last session, and 12 weeks after the start of treatment.

• Neck Disability Index (NDI)

  The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a widely used self-report questionnaire that measures functional disability associated with neck pain. It consists of 10 items scored from 0 to 5, covering pain intensity and daily activities. Higher scores indicate greater disability. The NDI is commonly used in clinical practice and research to assess baseline status and monitor treatment outcomes.

  before treatment, 30 minutes after the last session, and 12 weeks after the start of treatment.

• Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT)

  Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) is a quantitative measure of pain sensitivity assessed using a pressure algometer. It represents the minimum amount of pressure that evokes pain. PPT is widely used in clinical and research settings to evaluate mechanical pain sensitivity, detect hyperalgesia, and monitor treatment effects. Lower PPT values indicate increased pain sensitivity, while higher values reflect reduced sensitivity.

  before treatment, 30 minutes after the last session, and 12 weeks after the start of treatment.

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12)

  before treatment, 30 minutes after the last session, and 12 weeks after the start of treatment.

• Central Sensitisation Inventory

  before treatment, 30 minutes after the last session, and 12 weeks after the start of treatment.

Study Arms (3)

Exercise group

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Exercise

Exercise + Dry Needling Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Dry Needling + Exercise

Exercise + interfascial block group

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Exercise + interfascial block

Interventions

Exercise OTHER

Cervical range of motion and trapezius fascial stretching exercises

Exercise group

Dry Needling + Exercise OTHER

Cervical ROM, fascial stretching exercises for the trapezius muscles, and dry needling of the relevant fascia with Hua Long brand 0.25x25 mm disposable sterile steel acupuncture needles under ultrasound guidance.

Exercise + Dry Needling Group

Exercise + interfascial block OTHER

Cervical range of motion (ROM) and trapezius muscles are treated with fascial stretching exercises and ultrasound-guided interfascial injection of 1 cc of 2% lidocaine + 4 cc of 0.9% saline solution.

Exercise + interfascial block group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 55 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle that has lasted for at least 3 months
• VAS score of 4 or higher for the current pain
• Clinically diagnosed with myofascial pain in the trapezius muscle
• Ages 18 to 55
• Patients who can follow verbal instructions and have no cognitive deficits

You may not qualify if:

• Having received interventional injections in the neck and shoulder area within the last 3 months
• Having received physical therapy within the last 3 months
• Having received regular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and myorelaxant treatment within the last month
• History of surgery on the affected side (neck or shoulder)
• Chronic inflammatory disease
• Acute infection
• History of malignancy
• Coagulation disorders
• Pregnancy
• Liver and kidney pathologies
• Drug allergy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Eren Başıbüyük: lead

Study Sites (1)

Haydarpaşa Training and Research Hospital

Istanbul, Istanbul, 34668, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Interventions

Exercise; Dry Needling

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Officials

• Sibel Süzen Özbayrak

  Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Eren Başıbüyük, M.D.

CONTACT

+905344844832; erenbasiboyuk@gmail.com

Nilgün Mesci, Prof.

CONTACT

+905336295998; nilgunbilgili@yahoo.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: M.D.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 18, 2026
• First Posted: March 24, 2026
• Study Start: August 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: August 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Last Updated: March 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)