Dry Needling vs Electrical Dry Needling for Myofascial Neck Pain

NCT07775144 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2024-MS-PT-037
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Neck pain caused by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) is common and is associated with pain, psychological distress, and kinesiophobia (fear of movement). This randomized clinical trial compared Dry Needling (DN) and Electrical Dry Needling (EDN), each delivered once weekly for six weeks, in adults with neck pain due to MTrPs. The study measured changes in pain intensity, psychological distress (depression, anxiety, stress), and kinesiophobia before and after treatment, to determine whether adding electrical stimulation to dry needling provides additional benefit over dry needling alone.

Conditions

Neck Pain; Myofascial Pain Syndrome - Neck; Trigger Point Pain

Keywords

Dry needling; Electrical dry needling; neck pain; myofascial trigger point; kinesiophobia; psychological distress

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain Intensity

  Measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), an 11-point scale where 0 = "no pain" and 10 = "worst pain imaginable".

  Baseline (pre-treatment) and Week 6 (post-treatment)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Psychological Distress

  Baseline (pre-treatment) and Week 6 (post-treatment)

• Kinesiophobia

  Baseline (pre-treatment) and Week 6 (post-treatment)

Study Arms (2)

Group A: Dry Needling

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants received Dry Needling using the Hong fast-in/fast-out technique to elicit up to five local twitch responses, followed by ischemic (Travell and Simons) compression over the trigger point until the painful sensation decreased (total \~2 minutes). One session per week for 6 weeks (17 randomized, 16 completed).

Procedure: Dry Needling

Group B: Electrical Dry Needling

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received Electrical Dry Needling: needle insertion into the diagnosed active/latent myofascial trigger point or taut band, followed by application of a low-frequency (2 Hz) continuous biphasic electrical current at a mild-to-moderate intensity for 30 minutes. One session per week for 6 weeks (17 randomized, 16 completed).

Procedure: Electrical Dry Needling

Interventions

Dry Needling PROCEDURE

Stainless-steel acupuncture needles inserted via guide tubes using the Hong technique (rapid insertion/withdrawal in multiple directions) to elicit up to 5 local twitch responses at the active myofascial trigger point, followed by ischemic (Travell and Simons) compression until pain decreased, repeated over several cycles for a total of 2 minutes. One session weekly for 6 weeks.

Group A: Dry Needling

Electrical Dry Needling PROCEDURE

Needle inserted (after cleaning with sterile alcohol) into the diagnosed active or latent myofascial trigger point/taut band, manipulated bidirectionally to elicit pain/tingling/pressure/heaviness/warmth, then connected to a low-frequency (2 Hz) continuous biphasic electrical current at a mild-to-moderate intensity, left in place for 30 minutes. One session weekly for 6 weeks.

Group B: Electrical Dry Needling

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18-60 years of either gender.
• Neck pain duration ≥ 3 weeks.
• Presence of at least one active myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, SCM, splenius capitis, or scalenes, confirmed using Travell and Simons' criteria.
• Pain intensity ≥ 4 on NPRS (0-10) at baseline.
• Ability to understand and complete questionnaires.
• Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• History of cervical spine trauma, fracture, or surgery.
• Diagnosis of neurological deficits.
• Systemic diseases affecting muscles or joints.
• Use of anticoagulant therapy or bleeding disorders.
• Pregnancy or lactation.
• Active infection or skin lesions in the cervical region.
• Previous dry needling or electrical dry needling treatment in the past 6 months.
• Allergy to needles or local anesthetics if used.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Faisalabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

The University of Faisalabad

Faisalābad, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Alghamdi MS, Alghamdi AF, Almalawi AM et al. (2023) The association between neck pain and psychological distress experienced by King Abdulaziz University students: A cross-sectional study. Cureus 15(3): e35685. Brennan K, Elifritz KM, Comire MM et al. (2021) Rate and maintenance of improvement of myofascial pain with dry needling alone vs dry needling with intramuscular electrical stimulation: A randomized controlled trial. The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy 29(4): 216-226. Cagnie B, Danneels L, Van Tiggelen D et al. (2007) Individual and work-related risk factors for neck pain among office workers: A cross-sectional study. European Spine Journal 16(5): 679-686. Hernandez JVL, Calvo-Lobo C, Zugasti AM et al. (2021) Effectiveness of dry needling with percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation of high frequency versus low frequency in patients with myofascial neck pain. Pain Physician 24(2): 135- 143. Lara-Palomo IC, Gil-Martínez E, Antequera-Soler E et al. (2022) Electrical dry needling versus conventional physiotherapy in the treatment of active and latent myofascial trigger points in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain. Trials 23(1): 238. Moro MZ, De Oliveira Vidal EI, Pinheiro Módolo NS et al. (2024) Dry needling, trigger point electroacupuncture and motor point electroacupuncture for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome involving the trapezius: A randomized clinical trial. Acupuncture in Medicine 42(1): 3-13. Safran E and Kaya Y (2025) Contextual and placebo effects of suboccipital myofascial release: evaluating its influence on pain threshold, cervical range of motion, and proprioception. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 26(1): 502. Umair A, Ghafoor I, Malik S et al. (2024) Effectiveness of manual compression and stretching for the myofascial trigger points in upper trapezius and levator scapulae in office workers. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research 4(2): 1301-1306. Valiente-Castrillo P, Martin-Pintado-Zugasti A, Calvo-Lobo C et

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain; Kinesiophobia

Interventions

Dry Needling

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Phobic Disorders; Anxiety Disorders; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Officials

• Dr Muhammad Ateeb, PhD Public Health

  The University Of Faisalabad

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 15, 2026
• First Posted: August 20, 2026
• Study Start: April 24, 2026
• Primary Completion: July 7, 2026
• Study Completion: August 8, 2026
• Last Updated: August 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)