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Effect of Ultrasound-Guided Dry Needling Targeting Rectus Capitus Posterior Major on Individuals With Headaches

NCT07309874 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 50

Last updated 2026-04-01

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Headaches such as tension-type, migraine, and cervicogenic (neck-related) headaches are among the most common and disabling conditions worldwide. and are often associated with tight or sensitive muscles at the base of the skull, which can contribute to headaches. Dry needling involves inserting a very thin, sterile needle into tight muscle areas known as trigger points to relieve pain and muscle tension. When applied to the deep neck muscles, including those beneath the skull, dry needling may reduce headache symptoms. The suboccipital region contains important structures such as the vertebral artery, greater occipital nerve, and spinal cord, which requires precise needle placement to maintain safety. Many needling techniques used in this region have not been validated for accuracy or safety in living subjects. This study will use real-time ultrasound imaging to guide dry needling of the rectus capitis posterior major muscle and directly visualize nearby structures to minimize risk.

The main goals of this research are to examine the effects of a single session of ultrasound-guided dry needling on headache symptoms and to confirm the safety, accuracy, and consistency of the proposed needling technique using ultrasound imaging.

Conditions

  • Headache Disorders, Primary
  • Headache, Cervicogenic

Interventions

OTHER

Dry needling

Each subject will receive two separate dry needle insertions targeting the rectus capitus posterior major. Method 1 will be 30 degrees (relative to the frontal plane) insertion angle toward the occiput. Method 2 will be 45 degrees (relative to the frontal plane) insertion angle toward the occiput.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Texas Woman's University

    collaborator OTHER

  • Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Gary A Kearns, PT, ScD · Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-03-01
Primary Completion
2026-06-01
Completion
2026-06-01

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07309874 on ClinicalTrials.gov