the Study Aim to Evaluate the Combined Therapeutic Effects of Dry Needling and Phonophoresis on Myofascial Trigger Points in Patient Suffering From Cervical Spine Postural Deviations. it Focuses on How These Interventions Help Reduce Pain, Relieve Muscle Spasm and Improve Functional Outcomes.

NCT07601880 | Completed DMC

• 2 other identifiers: DPT/ERB/28U1111-1333-4312
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Postural deviations of the cervical spine, particularly forward head posture (FHP) and altered cervical lordosis, are increasingly common in individuals with prolonged use of computers, mobile phones, and poor sitting posture. These deviations lead to muscular imbalances where weak deep cervical stabilizers coexist with tight, overactive muscles such as the upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid. The biomechanical consequences include excessive stress on cervical joints, impaired proprioception, reduced cervical range of motion, and a predisposition to chronic neck pain, cervicogenic headaches, and even temporomandibular disorders. Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius are frequently implicated in these conditions, contributing to pain, stiffness, and sensorimotor dysfunction. Trigger points are characterized by taut muscle bands, localized hypoxia, biochemical mediators of pain, and neuromuscular hyperexcitability. Treatments such as dry needling (DN) aim to mechanically disrupt this pain-spasm cycle by reducing motor end plate irritability and sympathetic overactivity, whereas phonophoresis (PH) enhances trans-dermal absorption of anti-inflammatory or analgesic drugs using ultrasound, providing a non-invasive alternative for pain management. Given the high prevalence of cervical postural deviations and the burden of associated pain and disability, there is a need to identify the most effective intervention for MTrPs in this population. This study, therefore, proposes a randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of dry needling and phonophoresis on pain, cervical range of motion, and postural correction in patients with FHP and altered cervical lordosis. The findings aim to guide clinicians in selecting evidence-based treatments to optimize outcomes for patients with cervical spine abnormalities. Study Design: Randomized Control Trial No of groups: 40 (men and women aged 20-55 year) 20 receiving phonophoresis and 20 receiving Dry Needling. Outcomes:

1. 1.Reduction in Neck Pain
2. 2.Cervical Range of Motion

Conditions

Trigger Points, Myofascial; Cervical Postural Deviation

Keywords

Dry Needling; Phonophoresis; Myofascial Trigger points; Cervical postural Deviation; Neck Pain; Cervical Range of Motion

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Regain Range Of motion

  Cervical Range of motion. These ranges are taken by Goniometer.

  4 weeks

• Reduce Neck Pain.

  Reduction in neck pain and for its measurement we use Numeric pain rating scale.

  4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Group 1

EXPERIMENTAL

Real Dry needling + sham phonophoresis

Procedure: Group 1

Group 2

EXPERIMENTAL

Sham dry needling + real phonophoresis

Radiation: Group 2

Interventions

Group 2 RADIATION

* Diclofenac Sodium medication will be used with ultrasound. * Ultrasound waves with 1.2 w/cm intensity 60 percent duty cycle will be applied by a Pulsed 1 MHz ultrasound unit for 5 minutes on MTPs Baseline Treatment is stretching

Also known as: Phonophoresis, dexamethasone

Group 2

Group 1 PROCEDURE

•0.25 × 40 millimeter sterilized needle, We will insert the steralized needle into subcutaneous tissue in a position perpendicular to muscle. The needle tip will be inserted into the muscle until a local twitch response is elicited. The same point will be needled for about 60 seconds by rapid inward and outward needle movements Baseline Treatment is stretching

Also known as: Dry Needling

Group 1

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Chronic Neck pain
• Trigger points in Trapezius and Levetor Scapulae
• Duration of Pain from at least 3 months

You may not qualify if:

• Person's History of Neck Surgery
• Local Hemmorhage
• Active infections and Open wounds
• Bleeding disorders
• use of alcohol or any material that disturbs the consciousness

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, 57000, Pakistan

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Abbaszadeh-Amirdehi M, Ansari NN, Naghdi S, Olyaei G, Nourbakhsh MR. Therapeutic effects of dry needling in patients with upper trapezius myofascial trigger points. Acupunct Med. 2017 Apr;35(2):85-92. doi: 10.1136/acupmed-2016-011082. Epub 2016 Oct 3.

  PMID: 27697768 BACKGROUND

Related Links

• Related Info

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain

Interventions

Phonophoresis; Dexamethasone; Dry Needling

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Drug Administration Routes; Drug Therapy; Therapeutics; Pregnadienetriols; Pregnadienes; Pregnanes; Steroids; Fused-Ring Compounds; Polycyclic Compounds; Steroids, Fluorinated; Complementary Therapies; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Officials

• Umber Nawaz

  UBAS

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: By simply not informing about the group allocation
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 15, 2026
• First Posted: May 22, 2026
• Study Start: January 25, 2026
• Primary Completion: May 15, 2026
• Study Completion: May 15, 2026
• Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)