Dry Needling vs. Cupping Therapy in MPS

NCT07688317 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: B.30.2.ATA.0.01.00/286
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 92
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of dry needling and cupping therapy in patients diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome involving the trapezius, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and levator scapulae muscles. Treatment efficacy was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS), the number of trigger points, the Likert satisfaction scale, and the multidimensional quality of life scale.

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS)

Keywords

Myofascial pain syndrome; Trigger point; Dry needling; Dry cupping therapy; Wet cupping therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Visual analog scale

  The VAS score was used to measure pain intensity in each patient. Patients were told to rate their pain on a 10-cm horizontal line for the VAS test. A score of 0 indicated no pain, a score of 5 indicated moderate pain, and a score of 10 indicated the worst pain.

  From enrollment to the end of the first month

• Trigger points count

  Trigger points were identified in the trapezius, levator scapulae, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus muscles by the presence of a hypersensitive spot within a palpable taut band, accompanied by a visible or palpable LTR and/or reproduction of referred pain upon palpation of the sensitive point.

  From enrollment to the end of the first month

• Multidimensional quality of life score

  The multidimensional quality of life scale includes a total of 35 items and assesses nine subdomains, each with four items. The overall score is obtained by summing the responses to all the items. Each item is given a score from 1 to 7, with a total score of 35 to 245. Higher scores indicate better functional status.

  From enrollment to the end of the first month

• Likert satisfaction scale

  Patient satisfaction was assessed using a Likert scale, where participants were asked to rate their experience by selecting one of the following options: none, mild, moderately good, good, or very good.

  From enrollment to the end of the first month

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Visual analog scale

  From enrollment to the end of the third month

• Trigger points count

  From enrollment to the end of the third month

• Multidimensional quality of life score

  From enrollment to the end of the third month

• Likert satisfaction scale

  From enrollment to the end of the third month

Study Arms (2)

Cupping therapy arm

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Dry cupping was conducted 3 times per week for 9 sessions, followed by one session of wet cupping at the tenth session.

Procedure: Cupping therapy

Dry needling arm

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm received three sessions of dry needling, administered once per week.

Procedure: Dry needling

Interventions

Cupping therapy PROCEDURE

In the tenth session, wet cupping was performed directly over the patients' TNs. In addition to the TNs, wet cupping was also applied at the Dazhui DU-14 point in all patients. Before initiating the procedure, the treatment area was disinfected with alcohol. Sterile single-use cups numbered 5 and 6 were applied to the treatment area. After 3 to 5 minutes, the cups were removed one at a time. After the area was cleaned, a No. 15 scalpel blade was used to make shallow vertical cuts at the cupping site. Afterward, the cups were returned to the same places. The procedure was performed three times without making any new cuts. The blood was drained, and the cups were put back on. The entire procedure lasted approximately 20 min. The cups were removed at the end of the procedure, and the area that had been treated was cleaned and covered properly.

Cupping therapy arm

Dry needling PROCEDURE

Needling was performed while the TNs in the levator scapulae, supraspinatus, and upper part of the trapezius muscles were sitting. Patients were placed in the prone position for the middle and lower parts of the trapezius and infraspinatus muscles. To increase the accuracy of localization and minimize the risk of injury to nearby structures, needling was performed under ultrasound guidance. We used the Esaote MyLab 60 ultrasound machine that we have in our clinic for this. Standard single-use sterile acupuncture needles (0.25 mm × 25 mm) were used.

Dry needling arm

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Back pain lasting more than three months
• At least one palpable myofascial TN in the trapezius, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and/or levator scapulae muscles
• Written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Prior dry needling treatment
• Prior cupping therapy
• Severe cognitive dysfunction
• Spinal fracture
• Infection
• Malignancy
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Central nervous system injury
• Psychiatric disorder
• Diseases causing tissue degeneration
• Conditions associated with spasticity or cerebrovascular disease
• Cervical radiculopathy due to structural abnormalities
• Muscle or tendon injuries of the shoulder or neck
• Fibromyalgia or other conditions presenting with symptoms similar to myofascial pain syndrome
• Use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Turkish League Against Rheumatism: lead
• Atatürk University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Ataturk University

Erzurum, 25240, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndromes

Interventions

Cupping Therapy; Dry Needling

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Officials

• Fatih Baygutalp, Medical doctor

  Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine

  STUDY DIRECTOR

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: Doctor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 30, 2026
• First Posted: July 7, 2026
• Study Start: March 15, 2022
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2024
• Study Completion: August 29, 2025
• Last Updated: July 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, ICF
• Time Frame: Beginning 1 year after publication with no end date
• Access Criteria: Access to individual participant data (IPD) and supporting documentation is provided to the principal investigators and the designated research team. Additionally, access may be granted to journal editors and peer reviewers upon request for the purposes of data verification and manuscript evaluation. All shared information consists exclusively of de-identified, anonymized raw data to ensure participant privacy. Access is managed on a request-only basis, ensuring that data is shared securely and in accordance with ethical standards and institutional guidelines.

Locations

TU (1)